California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1 - Fish and Game Commission-Department of Fish and Game
Subdivision 3 - General Regulations
Chapter 3 - Miscellaneous
Exhibit C - Incidental Take Authorization Standards for In-Stream Gravel Extraction During the Candidacy Period for Coho Salmon

1. A gravel extraction plan including design features, mitigation measures, and enhancement recommendations that minimize impacts to salmonids shall be prepared by the operator and submitted to the Department for review and approval before extraction may begin. The maximum amount permitted to be removed shall be no more than the amount of sand and gravel that is annually replenished in the proposed extraction area, and cumulative extraction quantities shall be consistent with the long-term average annual sustained yield based on estimates of mean annual recruitment.

2. Extraction of gravel shall be accomplished by "skimming" or grading of gravel from bars above the low water channel unless another technique is approved in advance by the Department. The gravel bars shall be sloped from the bank down towards the thalweg and downstream to avoid stranding of salmonids. No holes or depressions shall be allowed to remain in the extraction area. No extraction of the streambanks shall be allowed.

3. Low flow channel confinement shall be maximized by utilizing the low flow silt line, where available, in designing the vertical offset. The silt line measurement shall be taken on or before July 15th of any year unless an alternate date is approved, in advance, by the Department. The vertical offset shall be at least one foot. A larger vertical offset, as determined by the Department, may be necessary to maximize the low flow channel confinement.

4. Gravel bar stability shall be protected by minimizing extraction on the upstream one-third of gravel bars. No extraction shall be allowed in riffle sections. The Department shall review proposed gravel extraction plans during an annual site inspection and make specific recommendations to protect salmonid habitat.

5. Channel crossing construction shall not begin before June 15. Removal of channel crossings shall be completed by September 30. If temporary culverts are installed, they will be installed in such a manner so that they will not impede the passing of fish up and down stream.

6. Large woody debris (LWD) shall be stockpiled before gravel extraction begins and redistributed on the gravel bar after the extraction site has been reclaimed at the end of the extraction season. To the extent possible, vehicular access onto gravel mining sites shall be controlled to minimize the loss of LWD from firewood collectors.

7. Trees exceeding 1 inch DBH shall not be removed, and clumps of smaller trees shall not be removed except by prior approval of the Department. The disturbance or removal of vegetation shall be minimized, shall not exceed that necessary to complete operations and shall be limited to areas where extraction has occurred within the past two years.

8. The project shall comply with Section 1601 or 1603 of the California Fish and Game Code, and a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement shall be obtained from the Department. Any measures identified by the Department as necessary to protect coho salmon shall be incorporated into the signed agreement and shall be fully implemented.