[Federal Register: March 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 57)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 14517-14528]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25mr99-16]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 223

[Docket No. 980225046-9070-03; I.D. 021098B]
RIN 0648-AK54

 
Endangered and Threatened Species: Threatened Status for Two ESUs 
of Steelhead in Washington and Oregon

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule; notice of determination.

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SUMMARY: Previously, NMFS completed a comprehensive status review of 
west coast steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) populations in Washington, 
Oregon, Idaho, and California, and identified 15 Evolutionarily 
Significant Units (ESUs) within this range. NMFS now issues a final 
rule to list two ESUs as threatened under the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA). The listed ESUs include the Middle Columbia River ESU located in 
Washington and Oregon, and the Upper Willamette River ESU located in 
Oregon.

    In both threatened ESUs, only naturally spawned populations of 
steelhead residing below impassable natural barriers (e.g., long-
standing, natural waterfalls) are listed. NMFS examined the 
relationship between hatchery and natural populations of steelhead in 
these ESUs and determines none of the identified hatchery populations 
are essential for recovery at this time.

    At this time, NMFS is listing only anadromous life forms of O. 
mykiss.

    NMFS will issue any protective regulations deemed necessary under 
section 4(d) of the ESA for the listed ESUs in a separate rulemaking. 
Even though NMFS does not now issue protective regulations for these 
ESUs, Federal agencies are required under section 7 of the ESA to 
consult with NMFS if any activity they authorize, fund, or carry out 
may affect listed steelhead.

DATES: Effective May 24, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Branch Chief, Protected Resources Division, NMFS, Northwest 
Region, 525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97232-2737.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Garth Griffin, 503-231-2005, or Chris 
Mobley, 301-713-1401.