Document ZB0XBEb05xqy69E7M04Jg6XnL

To: Brad Hiltscher[bhiltscher@mwdh2o.com]; Dave Ramey[dave@kadeshdc.com] From: Cameron, Scott Sent: 2017-03-20T16:15:25-04:00 Importance: Normal Subject: Fwd: California Water Fix and NOAA/NMFS ESA role; meeting with Sec. Zinke tomorrow Received: 2017-03-20T16:41:05-04:00 Brad and Dave, FYI, looks like Secretary Zinke is primed to make Scenario 6 go away, so please make sure your folks bring this topic up in the meeting tomorrow. Thanks, Scott Scott J. Cameron Special Assistant Office of the Secretary of the Interior Desk 202 208 0969 Cell 202 706 9031 --------- Forwarded message --------From: Cameron, Scott <scott cameron@ios.doi.gov> Date: Mon, Mar 20, 2017 at 4:12 PM Subject: California Water Fix and NOAA/NMFS ESA role; meeting with Sec. Zinke tomorrow To: ebranstad@doc.gov Hi Eric, As I mentioned, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Met) will be visiting with Secretary Zinke at 2 pm on Tuesday. The Secretary would like a NOAA/NMFS representative to join him in the meeting. I understand that one of the issues Met is likely to raise relative to the California WaterFix final EIS is the prospect of the upcoming NOAA/NMFS biological opinion under the Endangered Species Act possibly applying so-called "Scenario 6" requirements. I am told that Scenario 6 would apply water operational restrictions based on ESA Section 10 takings conditions in what is now a less stringent Section 7 consultation context. The legal standard for section 7 is "jeopardy", which is less stringent that the section 10 takings framework. In other words, Met and other water users are concerned that NMFS is poised to over-regulate. We are at 1849 C Street NW. It would be best if your representative arrived at the entrance around 1:45 pm. He/she can call me upon arrival, and I will bring him/her up to the Secretary's office. Thanks very much for your assistance in this matter. Sincerely, Scott Scott J. Cameron Special Assistant Office of the Secretary of the Interior Desk 202 208 0969 Cell 202 706 9031