Designation of Critical Habitat for Steller Sea Lions

Final Rule

Designation of critical habitat for the Steller (northern) sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in certain areas and waters of Alaska, Oregon and California. The direct economic and other impacts resulting from this critical habitat designation, over and above those arising from the listing of the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), are expected to be minimal.

Background

In 1993, NOAA Fisheries designated critical habitat for Steller sea lions range-wide in the United States. Critical habitat included all Steller sea lion rookeries and major haulouts (i.e., haulouts supporting > 200 Steller sea lions) located within state and federally managed waters off Alaska;  a terrestrial zone that extends 3,000 feet (0.9 km) landward from the baseline or base point of each major rookery and major haulout in Alaska; an air zone that extends 3,000 feet (0.9 km) above the terrestrial zone of each major rookery and major haulout in Alaska, measured vertically from sea level; an aquatic zone that extends 3,000 feet (0.9 km) seaward in State and Federally managed waters from the baseline or basepoint of each major rookery and major haulout in Alaska east of 144° W. longitude; an aquatic zone that extends 20 nm (37 km) seaward in State and Federally managed waters from the baseline or basepoint of each major rookery and major haulout in Alaska that is west of 144° W. longitude; and three special aquatic foraging areas in Alaska, including the Shelikof Strait area, the Bogoslof area, and the Seguam Pass area. NOAA Fisheries is currently reviewing existing Steller sea lion critical habitat to take into account any new and pertinent sources of information since the 1993 designation, including the delisting of the eastern DPS.