State declares longfin smelt a threatened species
Matt Weiser
Sacramento Bee
06/25/2009
The longfin smelt today was declared a threatened species in California, officially adding another imperiled fish to the long list of problems affecting the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The California Fish and Game Commission in March declared there was enough evidence to protect the longfin under the state Endangered Species Act. That kicked off a review period, which concluded today with a formal vote by the commission to list the fish as threatened.
"It disappoints me for the conflict that it will create," Commissioner Daniel Richards said after the unanimous vote in Woodland. "It speaks to the failure of our state government that this has occurred."
The 5-inch longfin -- similar to its cousin, the Delta smelt -- is sensitive to water quality in the Delta that has been altered by urbanization, farming and water diversions. It has been in steep decline since 2000 as problems in the Delta have multiplied.
Today's action did not bring new Delta water restrictions. To protect the longfin, the Commission in March imposed water pumping limits, similar to those already in place to protect the Delta smelt, which will remain in effect.
