Snake River Basin Hatcheries Draft Environmental Assessment and Hatchery Plans

NOAA Fisheries proposes to issue 16 Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 4(d) determinations for hatchery operations in the Snake River Subbasin tributaries (see Resources, below). As described below, NOAA Fisheries is making available for public comment the state hatchery plans submitted or NOAA Fisheries’ proposed evaluations on joint state/tribal plans. NOAA Fisheries is also making available for public comment a draft environmental assessment analyzing the effects of the proposed action and alternatives under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Five ESA Section 4(d) determinations on tribal plans may be made, which allows for hatchery programs to be operated as described in tribal plans. These programs propagate non-ESA-listed coho salmon, Chinook salmon of the Snake River spring/summer Chinook Salmon Evolutionary Significant Unit, and non-ESA listed steelhead.

ESA Section 4(d) Limit 5 determinations may be made for four state plans, which allows for state or federal hatchery programs to be operated. These programs propagate Chinook salmon of Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon and non-ESA listed steelhead.

Seven ESA Section 4(d) Limit 6 determinations may be made on seven joint state-tribal plans, which allows for programs in the U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement to be operated. These programs propagate non-ESA listed Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon and Snake River Basin steelhead.

The hatchery programs are 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
• Provide fishing opportunities for states and tribes.

These programs are described in separate Hatchery and Genetics Management Plans (HGMPs) submitted to NOAA Fisheries for review and determination. These HGMPs describe the programs in detail, including monitoring and evaluation to assess performance in meeting conservation and supplementation objectives and their effects on ESA-listed spring Chinook salmon and steelhead. The HGMPs were submitted for the above-mentioned ESA compliance pathways.

Supporting Materials

PEPDs (Proposed Evaluation and Pending Determinations)

• Clearwater River Coho Salmon Restoration Project
• Five Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon plans
• Six Idaho steelhead hatchery programs

HGMPs (Hatchery and Genetics Management Plans)

• Pahsimeroi summer Chinook salmon
• Pahsimeroi summer steelhead
• Salmon River B-run steelhead
• Upper Salmon River spring Chinook salmon (Sawtooth Fish Hatchery)

Draft Environmental Assessment

• Snake River Basin Hatcheries