[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 140 (Tuesday, July 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42504-42505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17177]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR39


Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the adoption of a Final Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) recovery plan for the endangered Sacramento River winter-run 
Chinook salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) (herein referred 
to as winter-run Chinook salmon), the threatened Central Valley spring-
run Chinook salmon ESU (herein referred to as spring-run Chinook 
salmon), and the threatened California Central Valley steelhead 
Distinct Population Segment (DPS) (herein referred to as steelhead). 
The Final Recovery Plan for these species (Final Recovery Plan) is now 
available.

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 CV Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Plan'', by phone at (916) 
930-3600, or by writing to NMFS Protected Resources Division, 650 
Capitol Mall, Suite 5-100, Sacramento, CA, 95814 ATTN: Recovery 
Coordinator

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Ellrott, Central Valley Recovery 
Coordinator by email to [email protected] or by phone at (916) 
930-3612.

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. The Sacramento River 
winter-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) ESU, currently 
listed as endangered, was listed as a threatened species under 
emergency provisions of the ESA in August 1989 (54 FR 32085) and 
formally listed as a threatened species in November 1990 (55 FR 46515). 
Winter-run Chinook salmon were re-classified as an endangered species 
on January 4, 1994 (59 FR 440). NMFS listed spring-run Chinook salmon 
as threatened (64 FR 50394) on September 16, 1999. Steelhead were 
listed as threatened on March 19, 1998 (63 FR 13347).
    We published a Notice of Availability of the Draft Recovery Plan in 
the Federal Register on October 7, 2009 (71 FR 51553) and held eight 
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 November 24, 2009 (74 FR 61329). 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 Sacramento 
River winter-run Chinook salmon ESU, the Central Valley spring-run 
Chinook salmon ESU, and the California Central Valley steelhead DPS.

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 winter-run Chinook 
salmon, spring-run Chinook salmon, and steelhead to the point where 
they are viable and no longer need the protections of the ESA.
    The Final Recovery Plan provides background on the natural history 
of salmon and steelhead in the Central Valley, population viability 
trends for winter-run Chinook salmon, spring-run Chinook salmon, and 
steelhead, and the potential threats to these species. 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 
winter-run Chinook salmon, spring-run Chinook salmon, and steelhead. 
The Final Recovery Plan

[[Page 42505]]

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. The Final Recovery 
Plan references many of the significant efforts already underway to 
allow Chinook salmon and steelhead in the Central Valley to access a 
diversity of high quality habitats that have been lost or degraded due 
to human land use.
    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. The best available 
information in the Final Recovery Plan on the natural history, threats, 
actions, and priorities for recovery can be used to help assess risks. 
Consistent with the adoption of this Final Recovery Plan for winter-run 
Chinook salmon, spring-run Chinook 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 winter-run Chinook salmon, spring-run Chinook salmon, 
and steelhead will require a long-term effort throughout the Central 
Valley and surrounding watersheds 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 
the Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon ESU, the Central Valley 
spring-run Chinook salmon ESU, and the Central Valley steelhead DPS.

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

    Dated: July 11, 2014.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-17177 Filed 7-21-14; 8:45 am]
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