[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 198 (Thursday, October 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70666-70667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24716]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE212


Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the 
adoption of the Final Endangered Species Act (ESA) Coastal Multispecies 
Recovery Plan for the California Coastal (CC) Chinook salmon 
(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU), 
Northern California (NC) steelhead (O. mykiss) Distinct Population 
Segment (DPS), and Central California Coast (CCC) steelhead (O. mykiss) 
DPS. These species spawn and rear in streams and rivers along the 
central and northern California coast, and in tributaries to San 
Francisco Bay.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Public Final Recovery Plan are 
available online at: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected_species/salmon_steelhead/recovery_planning_and_implementation/north_central_california_coast/north_central_california_coast_salmon_recovery_domain.html. A CD-ROM of 
these documents can be obtained by emailing a request to 
[email protected] or by writing to: Recovery Team, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 777 Sonoma Avenue, Room 325, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Korie Schaeffer, (707) 575-6087, 
[email protected], or Erin

[[Page 70667]]

Seghesio, (707) 578-8515, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) requires 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 
promote the conservation of the species. The Coastal Multispecies 
Recovery Plan was developed for: The CC Chinook salmon ESU, and NC and 
CCC steelhead DPSs. Between 1997 and 2000, NMFS listed the CCC 
steelhead DPS (62 FR 43937; August 18, 1997), the CC Chinook salmon ESU 
(64 FR 50394; September 16, 1999), and the NC steelhead DPS (65 FR 
36074; June 7, 2000), as threatened under the ESA due to the 
precipitous and ongoing declines in their populations.
    We published a Notice of Availability of the Draft Recovery Plan in 
the Federal Register on October 5, 2015 (80 FR 60125) and held five 
public meetings to present and receive comments on the Draft Plan. In 
response to multiple requests, we extended the public comment period 
for an additional 45 days on December 1, 2015 (80 FR 75066). We 
received comments on the Draft Plan. We revised the Draft Plan based on 
the comments received, and this final version now constitutes the 
Coastal Multispecies Recovery Plan for the CC Chinook salmon ESU, and 
NC and CCC steelhead DPSs. Our goal is to restore the threatened CC 
Chinook salmon, and NC and CCC steelhead to the point where they are 
self-sustaining populations within their ecosystems and no longer need 
the protections of the ESA.

The Final Recovery Plan

    The ESA requires recovery plans incorporate, to the maximum 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 goal for the conservation and survival of the species; and 
(3) estimates of the time required and costs to implement recovery 
actions.
    The Recovery Plan provides background on the natural history, 
population trends and the potential threats to the viability of CC 
Chinook salmon, and NC and CCC steelhead. The Recovery Plan lays out a 
recovery strategy to address conditions and threats based on the best 
available science and incorporates objective, measurable criteria for 
recovery. The Recovery Plan is not regulatory, but presents guidance 
for use by agencies and interested parties to assist in the recovery of 
CC Chinook salmon, and NC and CCC steelhead. The Recovery Plan 
identifies actions needed to achieve recovery by improving population 
and habitat conditions and addressing threats to the species; links 
management actions to a research and monitoring program intended to 
fill data gaps and assess effectiveness of actions; and incorporates an 
adaptive management framework by which management actions and other 
elements may evolve as we gain information through research and 
monitoring. To address threats related to the species, the 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.
    Recovery of CC Chinook salmon, and NC and CCC steelhead will 
require a long-term effort in cooperation and coordination with 
Federal, state, tribal and local government agencies, and the 
community. Consistent with the Recovery Plan, 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.

Conclusion

    NMFS has reviewed the Recovery 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 CC Chinook salmon ESU, NC steelhead DPS, 
and CCC steelhead DPS.

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

    Dated: October 6, 2016.
Daniel Bess,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-24716 Filed 10-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P