Petition to List Olympic Peninsula Steelhead as a Threatened or Endangered Distinct Population Segment

On August 1, 2022, we received a petition (PDF, 164 pages) to list the Olympic Peninsula (OP) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). On February 10th, 2023, we published a positive 90-day finding (88 FR 8774) announcing that the petition presented substantial scientific and commercial information indicating the petitioned actions to list the species may be warranted. We also announced the initiation of a status review, as required by section 4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA, and solicited relevant information.

Consequently, NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region requested that the Northwest Fisheries Science Center initiate and lead a status review team to evaluate the extinction risk of the species. We now announce the availability of the report on the biological status of the OP DPS of steelhead.

On January 14, 2026, we published a 12-month finding (91 FR 1449) announcing that OP steelhead do not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act. Based on our independent review of the best available scientific and commercial information and the findings of the status review report, we determined that the OP steelhead DPS is not currently in danger of extinction, nor is it likely to become so within the foreseeable future. Please see the FR notice. Additional information was provided by state and Tribal co-managers.