Target Invasive Fish Control Program at Lake Tahoe April 14, 2020 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Tahoe RCD Board Decision to Adopt Initial Study/Negative Declaration and Initial Environmental Checklist/ Finding of No Significant Effect for the Target Invasive Fish Control Program at Lake Tahoe April 14, 2020

Ascent Team Kelley Kelso, so, CPESC SC, , QSD/QSP SP Nanette Hanse sel Curtis Alling, AICP Russ ss Liebig Presenter/Project Manager Environme mental ntal Lead Project t Directo tor Stillwat ater Sciences Senior Fisheri ries Biologist Target Invasive Fish Control at Lake Tahoe 2

California Environmental Quality Act CEQA requires state and local government agencies to inform decision makers and the public about 1 the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects, and to reduce those environmental impacts to the extent feasible. If a project will not cause any adverse environmental impacts, a public agency may adopt a 2 document known as a Negative Declaration. By adopting the CEQA document, it enables public agencies to issue permits to perform fish control 3 activities that would otherwise need to complete their own CEQA document. The Conservancy requires a completed CEQA document for the program to support authorization of 4 future funding to implement fish control activities. Target Invasive Fish Control Program at Lake Tahoe 3

Environmental Process Steps Completed • Kick-off meeting with agencies on July 16, 2019 (TRPA, LTBMU, CDFW, USFWS, CSLC, BOR, USACE, Conservancy, LRWQCB, USFWS, NDEP, NDSL) • Follow-up coordination with agencies through fall 2019 • Scoping period from September 4 to October 4, 2019 • Comments letters (4 agency, 1 public) that were received were addressed in IS/ND and IEC/FONSE • Document released for public comment from January 23 to February 24, 2020 • Comments letters (1 agency, 2 public) that were received were responded to in Response to Comments Memorandum Target Invasive Fish Control Program at Lake Tahoe 4

Tribune Article 5

Program Background • The program is based on a systematic planning effort by the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinating Committee (AISCC). Tahoe RCD co-chairs the committee. • The program is also based on the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan , which was formally reviewed by an expert panel of scientists and managers who specialize in invasive species management and ecology. • The program is modeled after successful Aquatic Invasive Plant Program. Target Invasive Fish Control Program at Lake Tahoe 6

Why Remove Invasive Fish? Invasive fish species predate upon, and compete with both native and non-native aquatic species (fish and amphibians), as well as native recreational sportfish. They 1 disrupt ecosystem function and create negative ecological effects to food web dynamics and composition. Supports TRPA Fisheries Threshold. - Goal: Improve aquatic habitat essential for the growth, reproduction, and 2 perpetuation of existing and threatened fish resources in the Lake Tahoe Basin. - Policy: Prohibiting the release of non-native aquatic species and controlling and eradiating existing populations. 3 Tahoe RCD has received support from public to implement this program. Target Invasive Fish Control Program at Lake Tahoe 7

Program Description The proposed program would authorize a selection of mechanical fish control methods that can be 1 implemented in locations of suitable habitat for the target species for long-term implementation. Target invasive fish species include smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu ), largemouth bass 2 ( Micropterus salmoides ), bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus ), black crappie ( Pomoxis nigromaculatus ), brown bullhead ( Ameiurus nebulosus ), and goldfish ( C. auratus auratus ). Recreational sportfish are NOT targeted: rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ), brown trout ( Salmo 3 trutta ), brook trout ( Salvelinus foninalis ), lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ), and kokanee salmon ( Oncorhyncus nerka ). The proposed program would apply to all areas within the Lake Tahoe region that include suitable habitat for target invasive fish. These areas include marinas and shallow waters of Lake Tahoe, portions 4 of the tributaries that feed into Lake Tahoe, a short reach of the Truckee River just downstream of the dam (the lake’s only river outlet), where it is under the jurisdiction of TRPA, and marsh areas around the lake shoreline. Target Invasive Fish Control Program at Lake Tahoe 8

Program Area • Tier 1 Area – low-gradient stream segments, shallow waters, marinas, marsh areas, and Truckee River downstream of dam. • Tier 2 Areas – extend from the Tier 1 boundary to a point where a tributary exceeds 10% slope, or the farthest upstream location where target invasive fish populations have been documented. • Elsewhere Control of Warm Water Fish in Lake Tahoe 9

Control Methods Weirs Boat Electrofishing Minnow Traps Backpack Electrofishing Seines Fyke Nets Gillnets Benthic Electrode Arrays 10

Permits Required Agency Environmental Process Role Required Permit/Approval Tahoe Resource Conservation District CEQA Lead Agency CEQA compliance, program approval Tahoe Regional Planning Agency TRPA Lead Agency Environmental Improvement Project (EIP) permit U.S. Army Corps of Engineers NEPA Lead Agency/ESA Lead Nationwide Permit 4/Biological Assessment U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Reviewing Agency Section 7 Consultation, Biological Opinion U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit NEPA Lead Agency Special Use Permit Lease of State Lands for placement of benthic electrode arrays, CEQA Responsible Agency, California State Lands Commission seines, and fyke nets at or below the ordinary high-water mark of Permitting Agency Lake Tahoe. CEQA Responsible Agency, Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement; Scientific Collecting California Department of Fish and Wildlife Permitting Agency Permit California Tahoe Conservancy CEQA Responsible Agency Approval of funding expenditures CEQA Responsible Agency, 401 Water Quality Certification for any activities that require Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board Permitting Agency 404 permit from the USACE Nevada Department of Wildlife Permitting Agency Scientific Collection Permit Nevada Division of State Lands Permitting Agency Authorization to use State-Owned Submerged Lands 11

Questions/Discussion

Staff Recommendations 1. It is recommended that the Board of Directors adopt the Target Invasive Fish Control Program at Lake Tahoe Initial Study/Negative Declaration. 2. It is recommended that the Board of Directors approve the Target Invasive Fish Control Program at Lake Tahoe. Control of Warm Water Fish in Lake Tahoe 13