The Central Valley is one of the most important regions in the Pacific Americas Flyway for migratory wetland dependent birds.  For example, it is recognized internationally as an important area for shorebirds, with peak populations of up to 335,000 birds in spring.  The Sacramento Valley in particular, despite the loss more than 90 percent of its historic wetland, floodplain, and riparian habitats, remains critical for wildlife, supporting approximately 70% of the duck and 90% of the goose population during the fall and winter.  Providing for such large populations of migratory birds would not be possible without the Valley’s flooded rice fields that provide important surrogate wetland habitat for resident and migratory birds along with many other species.  This document provides science-based recommendations to producers, water districts, other habitat managers, and policy makers on how to minimize impacts and provide benefits to wildlife when rice is fallowed in the Sacramento Valley.  Find specific recommendations and guidelines in this important technical report.