[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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
[[Page 54566]]
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:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P