Is the draft policy more restrictive than the 2002 DFG-NMFS Draft Guidelines?
Certain requirements are more restrictive, but others are less restrictive while still protecting salmonids. The draft policy contains criteria that were scientifically evaluated and found to be protective of salmonid habitat. Biological flow needs were derived from recent field studies and a literature review of flow needs for passage, spawning, incubation, winter rearing, and outmigration for salmon and steelhead, and for channel and riparian maintenance. The draft policy contains a diversion season that is less restrictive than the DFG-NMFS draft guidelines, but is still protective of salmonids. The draft policy’s minimum bypass flow criterion is more restrictive for some water diverters and is protective of salmonid habitat in small watersheds. The minimum bypass flow criterion contained in the DFG-NMFS draft guidelines is not protective of salmonid habitat in small watersheds. The draft policy’s maximum cumulative diversion criterion is one of the recommendations of the DFG-NMFS d
