The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (Project) 2016 Annual Self-Monitoring Report (Report) has been prepared to provide: 1) an update of the Project’s 2016 accomplishments; 2) information on on-going operations of the Alviso and Ravenswood Ponds; 3) results of the 2016 studies conducted at Pond A8, A16 and SF2; 4) results of fisheries monitoring and studies; and 5) an update on Phase II planning efforts.
In previous years, this annual report has focused on water quality monitoring results and has been submitted to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) to comply with the Self-Monitoring Program (SMP) as described in the Final Order (No. R2-2008- 0078). This is the sixth year the report will also be submitted to NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) because we have included additional fisheries monitoring conducted as part of the Project Science Program’s Applied Studies, which are intended to fill the most important gaps in our knowledge about South San Francisco Bay (South Bay) ecosystem.
It is anticipated that both water quality and fisheries information will help the Water Board and NMFS: 1) understand the status of the Project; 2) provide feedback and guidance to the Project Management Team on current and future applied studies and monitoring; and 3) assist in identifying emerging key uncertainties and management decisions required to keep the Project on track toward its restoration objectives as we approach Phase 2.
