[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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