OCAP Annual Independent Science Review Panel to Convene November 8-9, 2011

The 2011 Operations Criteria and Plan ("OCAP") annual independent science review will take place on November 8-9, 2011, in Sacramento. The meeting announcement and agenda, with instructions on participating via the internet, may be found here.

Under the auspices of the Delta Science Program ("DSP"), an independent science panel comprised of various academics and experts will convene to review the implementation of the OCAP for the prior year’s operations. The purpose of the review is to provide critical information to the National Marine Fisheries Service ("NMFS") and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("FWS") about the effectiveness of the prior year’s water operations and regulatory actions. NMFS and FWS have issued biological opinions and reasonable and prudent alternatives ("RPA") on the long-term operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project relative to salmonids and smelt, respectively. The agencies have requested that the DSP convene the panel to provide a technical review on the implementation of the biological opinions and RPAs. The specific charge to the panel may be found here.

The panelists are:

• James Anderson, Ph.D., University of Washington
• James Gore, Ph.D., University of Tampa
• Ron Kneib, Ph.D., RTK Consulting & University of Georgia (Emeritus)
• Mark Lorang, Ph.D., University of Montana
• John Van Sickle, Ph.D., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Western Ecology Division

The annual review will be conducted Tuesday, November 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, November 9, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Both days' sessions will take place at 650 Capitol Mall, Stanford Room (first floor), in Sacramento. Sessions should be available on the internet.

Copies of all materials for the annual review, including review materials and background information, may be found here.

For more information regarding this matter, please contact Eric Adair or the KMTG attorney with whom you normally consult.