Snake River Sockeye Salmon production program

NOAA Fisheries has completed its determination of two ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) research/enhancement permits for the operation, monitoring and evaluation of a hatchery program rearing and releasing ESA-listed sockeye salmon in the Snake River Basin of Idaho. A Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) was provided on August 6^th, 2023. The HGMP describes the program in detail, including monitoring and evaluation to assess performance in meeting conservation and supplementation objectives and their effects on ESA-listed sockeye salmon.

The hatchery program is intended to:

• Supplement or support local natural salmon populations.
• Mitigate for fish losses caused by the construction and operation of the four dams on the Lower Snake River, and effects of climate change on their natural habitat.

The hatchery program will continue to take Endangered Species Act-listed adult and juvenile sockeye salmon annually and are consistent with NOAA Fisheries’ Recovery Plans. Permits 1454-2R and 1455-2R for the continued hatchery operations for ESA-listed sockeye salmon were issued on September 27, 2023, subject to certain conditions set forth therein. Subsequent to issuance, the necessary countersignatures by the applicants were received. The permits are set to expire on September 27, 2026.

An Environmental Assessment (EA), and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) were also completed for these actions.