[Federal Register: May 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 89)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 24998-25007]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10my99-37]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 226

[Docket No. 990429112-9112-01; I.D. 040899A]
RIN 0648-AM58

 
Designated Critical Habitat: Proposed Critical Habitat for the 
Oregon Coast Coho Salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments; and notification of public 
hearings.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to designate critical habitat for the Oregon 
Coast Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Evolutionarily Significant 
Unit (ESU) previously listed as a threatened species under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA). Proposed critical habitat occurs in 
Oregon coastal river basins between Cape Blanco and the Columbia River. 
The areas described in this proposed rule represent the current 
freshwater and estuarine range inhabited by the ESU. Freshwater 
critical habitat includes all waterways and substrates below 
longstanding, naturally impassable barriers (i.e., natural waterfalls 
in existence for at least several hundred years) and several 
dams that block access to former coho salmon habitats. The economic and 
other impacts resulting from this critical habitat designation are 
expected to be minimal.

DATES: Written comments on the proposed Oregon Coast coho salmon 
critical habitat designation must be received by July 9, 1999. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates and times of public hearings. 
Requests for specific locations or additional public hearings must be 
received by June 24, 1999.

ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for locations of public 
hearings. Written comments on this proposed rule or requests for 
additional public hearings or reference materials should be sent to 
Branch Chief, Protected Resources Division, NMFS, Northwest Region, 525 
NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97232-2737; telefax (503) 
230-5435.

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