[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54565-54566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21850]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC192


Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability and notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the adoption of a Final Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) recovery plan for the Central California Coast coho salmon 
(Oncorhynchus kisutch) Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). The Final 
Recovery Plan for Central California Coast coho salmon (Final Recovery 
Plan) is now available. In addition, informative public meetings will 
be held (see below for dates and locations).

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final Recovery Plan are available 
online at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/recovery/plans/htm, http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/recovery/index.htm.
    A CD-ROM of the Final Recovery Plan can be obtained by emailing a 
request to [email protected] with the subject line ``CD-ROM Request 
for CCC coho Salmon Recovery Plan'', by phone at 707-200-2788, or by 
writing to NMFS Protected Resources Division, 777 Sonoma Avenue, Room 
325, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 ATTN: Recovery Coordinator.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlotte Ambrose, Central California 
Coast Recovery Coordinator by email to [email protected] or 
by phone at 707-575-6068.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) requires that we (NOAA) 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 
Central California Coast coho salmon as threatened in the Federal 
Register on October 21, 1996 (61 FR 56138). Due to severe declines, we 
uplisted the species to endangered status on June 28, 2005 (70 FR 
37160). We published a Notice of Availability of the Draft Recovery 
Plan in the Federal Register on March 18, 2010 (75 FR 13081) and held 
three public meetings to obtain comments on the Draft Plan. In response 
to multiple requests, we extended the public comment period for an 
additional 60 days on May 7, 2010 (75 FR 25204). We received extensive 
comments on the Draft Plan, summarized the comments and identified the 
comments that prompted revisions for the Final Recovery Plan. We 
revised the Draft Plan based on the comments received, and this final 
version now constitutes the Recovery Plan for the Evolutionarily 
Significant Unit of Central California Coast Coho Salmon.

The Final 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 endangered Central 
California Coast coho salmon 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 Central California Coast coho salmon, 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 Central California 
Coast coho salmon. 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 
Central California Coast coho salmon 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

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the effects that a proposed action may have on the listed ESU. 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 Central California Coast coho salmon, 
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 Central California Coast coho salmon 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 
ESA section 4(f), determined that it does incorporate the required 
elements and is therefore adopting it as the Final Recovery Plan for 
Central California Coast coho salmon.

Public Meetings

    Public meetings are planned for Ukiah, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa, 
CA. Workshops will be held at the locations and dates listed below:

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September 11, 2012, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.;  September 5, 2012, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.;   September 6, 2012, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.;
 Redwood Empire Fairgrounds, Fair      Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley,      Wells Fargo Center for the Arts,
 Arts Building, 1055 State Street,     Pine/Oak Room, 6001 La Madrona        Carston Cabaret Room, 50 Mark West
 Ukiah, CA, 95482.                     Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.          Springs Road Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
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    Information on exact locations, dates and times will also be posted 
on the above Web site.

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

    Dated: August 29, 2012.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-21850 Filed 9-4-12; 8:45 am]
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