[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 162 (Monday, August 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52317-52318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21383]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA647


Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the 
adoption of an Endangered Species Act (ESA) recovery plan for the Upper 
Willamette Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Evolutionarily 
Significant Unit (ESU) and the Upper Willamette River steelhead 
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) Distinct Population Segment (DPS), which spawn 
and rear in tributaries to the Willamette River in western Oregon. The 
Final Upper Willamette River Conservation and Recovery Plan for Chinook 
Salmon and Steelhead (Final Recovery Plan) and our summary of and

[[Page 52318]]

responses to public comments are now available.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Recovery Plan and a summary 
of and response to public comments on the Proposed Recovery Plan 
(Proposed Plan) are available online at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-Planning/Recovery-Domains/Willamette-Lower-Columbia/Index.cfm. 
A CD-ROM of these documents can be obtained by emailing a request to 
[email protected] or by writing to NMFS Protected Resources Division, 
1201 NE., Lloyd Blvd., Portland, OR 97202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Walton, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, (503) 231-2285.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) requires that we develop and implement recovery plans for 
the conservation and survival of threatened and endangered species 
under our jurisdiction, unless it is determined that such plans would 
not result in the conservation of the species. We designated Upper 
Willamette Chinook salmon as threatened on in the Federal Register on 
June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37160) and steelhead as threatened on January 5, 
2006 (71 FR 834).
    We published a Notice of Availability of the Proposed Plan in the 
Federal Register on October 22, 2010 (75 FR 65299) and held four public 
meetings to obtain comments on the Proposed Plan. We received over 30 
comments on the Proposed Plan and summarized the public comments, 
prepared responses, and identified the public comments that prompted 
revisions for the Final Recovery Plan. We revised the Proposed Plan 
based on the comments received, and this final version now constitutes 
the Upper Willamette River Conservation and Recovery Plan for Chinook 
Salmon and Steelhead.

The Final Recovery Plan

    The ESA requires that recovery plans incorporate, to the extent 
practicable: (1) Objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would 
result in a determination that the species is no longer threatened or 
endangered; (2) site-specific management actions necessary to achieve 
the plan's goals; and (3) estimates of the time required and costs to 
implement recovery actions. Our goal is to restore the threatened Upper 
Willamette Chinook salmon and steelhead to the point where they are 
again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems and no longer 
need the protections of the ESA.
    The Final Recovery Plan provides background on the natural history 
of Upper Willamette Chinook salmon and steelhead, population trends and 
the potential threats to their viability. The Final Recovery Plan lays 
out a recovery strategy to address the potential threats based on the 
best available science and includes goals that incorporate objective, 
measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a determination 
that the species be removed from the list. The Final Recovery Plan is 
not regulatory, but presents guidance for use by agencies and 
interested parties to assist in the recovery of Upper Willamette salmon 
and steelhead. The Final Recovery Plan identifies substantive actions 
needed to achieve recovery by addressing the threats to the species. 
The strategy for recovery includes a linkage between management actions 
and an active research and monitoring program intended to fill data 
gaps and assess effectiveness. The Final Recovery Plan incorporates an 
adaptive management framework by which management actions and other 
elements will evolve and adapt as we gain information through research 
and monitoring and it describes the agency guidance on time lines for 
reviews of the status of species and recovery plans. To address threats 
related to the species, the Final Recovery Plan references many of the 
significant efforts already underway to restore salmon and steelhead 
access to high quality habitat and to improve habitat previously 
degraded.
    We expect the Final Recovery Plan to help us and other Federal 
agencies take a consistent approach to section 7 consultations under 
the ESA and to other ESA decisions. For example, the Final Recovery 
Plan will provide information on the biological context for the effects 
that a proposed action may have on the listed ESU and DPS. The best 
available information in the Final Recovery Plan on the natural 
history, threats, and potential limiting factors, and priorities for 
recovery can be used to help assess risks. Consistent with the adoption 
of this Final Recovery Plan for Upper Willamette salmon and steelhead, 
we will implement relevant actions for which we have authority, work 
cooperatively on implementation of other actions, and encourage other 
Federal and state agencies to implement recovery actions for which they 
have responsibility and authority.
    Recovery of Upper Willamette salmon and steelhead will require a 
long-term effort in cooperation and coordination with Federal, state, 
tribal and local government agencies, and the community.

Conclusion

    NMFS has reviewed the Plan for compliance with the requirements of 
the ESA section 4(f), determined that it does incorporate the required 
elements and is therefore adopting it as the Final Recovery Plan for 
Upper Willamette salmon and steelhead.

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

    Dated: August 16, 2011.
Therese Conant,
Deputy Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-21383 Filed 8-19-11; 8:45 am]
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