[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 157 (Monday, August 15, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50448-50449]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20453]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 223 and 224

RIN 0648-XA535


Endangered and Threatened Species; 5-Year Reviews for 17 
Evolutionarily Significant Units and Distinct Population Segments of 
Pacific Salmon and Steelhead

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of 5-year reviews.

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SUMMARY: NMFS Northwest Region announces the availability of 5-year 
reviews for 11 evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of Pacific 
salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.) and 6 distinct population segments (DPSs) of 
steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho as 
required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The 
purpose of the reviews was to evaluate whether the listing 
classifications of these salmonids remains accurate or should be 
changed. After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial 
data, we conclude that the 11 ESUs of Pacific salmon and 6 DPSs of 
steelhead in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho shall remain listed as 
determined in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

ADDRESSES: Additional information about the 5-year reviews may be 
obtained by visiting the NMFS Northwest Regional Office Web site: 
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/, or by writing to us at: NMFS Northwest 
Region, 1201 Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Murray (503) 231-2378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under the ESA, a list of endangered and threatened wildlife and 
plant species must be maintained. The list is published at 50 CFR 17.11 
and 50 CFR 223.102 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section 
4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed 
species at least once every 5 years. On the basis of such reviews under 
section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any species should be removed 
from the list (delisted), or reclassified from endangered to threatened 
or from threatened to endangered. During 5-year reviews, we consider 
the best scientific and commercial data available, including new 
information that has become available since the last listing 
determination or most recent status review of a species.
    On March 18, 2010, the NMFS Northwest and Southwest Regional 
Offices announced initiation of 5-year reviews of Pacific salmon ESUs 
and steelhead DPSs (75 FR 13082). Both ESUs and DPSs are treated as 
`species' under the ESA, and we use the term `species' to refer to both 
in the remainder of this notice. At the time of our announcement, we 
requested information on species viability, protective efforts, and 
threats to the species from the public, concerned governmental 
agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, environmental entities, and 
other interested parties.
    This notice addresses the following salmon species: (1) Upper 
Columbia River spring-run Chinook salmon; (2) Snake River spring/
summer-run Chinook salmon; (3) Puget Sound Chinook salmon; (4) Lower 
Columbia River Chinook salmon; (5) Upper Willamette Chinook salmon; (6) 
Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon; (7) Hood Canal summer-run chum 
salmon; (8) Columbia River chum salmon; (9) Lower Columbia River coho 
salmon; (10) Snake River sockeye salmon; and (11) Ozette Lake sockeye 
salmon. We did not complete a 5-year review for the Oregon Coast coho 
salmon because, as part of a legal settlement, we previously agreed to 
conduct a new review of the status of this species. On June 20, 2011, 
we issued a final rule re-promulgating the threatened listing for 
Oregon Coast coho salmon (76 FR 35755).
    This notice also addresses the following steelhead species: (1) 
Upper Columbia River steelhead DPS; (2) Middle Columbia River steelhead 
DPS; (3) Snake River Basin steelhead DPS; (4) Lower Columbia River 
steelhead DPS; (5) Upper Willamette steelhead DPS; and (6) Puget Sound 
steelhead DPS. Information about these species can be found at our 
Northwest Regional Web site: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/.
    We used a two-step process to complete the reviews of the listed 
salmonid species in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. First, we asked 
scientists from our Northwest Fisheries Science Center to collect and 
analyze new information about species viability. To evaluate viability, 
our scientists apply the Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) concept. The 
VSP concept relies on evaluating four criteria--abundance, 
productivity, spatial structure, and diversity--to assess species 
viability. They also considered new genetic and biogeographic 
information regarding species' boundaries. At the end of this process, 
the science team prepared a report detailing the results of their 
analyses. This report is available at our regional Web site.
    Salmon management biologists from our Northwest Regional Office 
completed the second step in the review process. These biologists, 
organized into geographically-based teams, reviewed new information 
related to the five ESA section 4(a)(1) factors, which we consider when 
determining if a species should be listed as threatened or endangered 
or be de-listed. These are: (1) The present or threatened destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of the species' habitat or range; (2) 
overutilization for

[[Page 50449]]

commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) 
disease or predation; (4) inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; 
or (5) other natural or man-made factors affecting the species' 
continued existence. The biologists also evaluated new information on 
hatchery programs to inform an updated assessment of which hatchery 
programs should be included as part of the listed species. They applied 
our Policy Addressing the Role of Artificially Propagated Pacific 
Salmon and Steelhead in Listing Determinations under the ESA (70 FR 
37204) to complete this evaluation. The 5-year review reports, the 
science team report, and additional information are available on our 
Web site: http://nwr.noaa.gov.

Findings

    After considering the best available information, we conclude that 
all 11 Pacific salmon species and 6 steelhead species in Oregon, 
Washington, and Idaho shall remain listed as currently classified.
    We also conclude that, based on the best information available, no 
adjustments to species boundaries are necessary. We did conclude that 
the species membership of several hatchery programs will need to be 
revised, and we also identified several errors in our current species 
descriptions in the list of threatened and endangered species found at 
50 CFR 17.11, 223.102, and 224.102. We will adjust the hatchery 
memberships and correct any listing inaccuracies through a subsequent 
rulemaking.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: August 8, 2011.
Therese Conant,
Deputy Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-20453 Filed 8-12-11; 8:45 am]
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