Hatchery plans for Chinook, coho, and chum salmon in the Snohomish River basin
Summary
NOAA Fisheries announced the availability for public review and comment of a Proposed Evaluation and Pending Determination (PEPD) for the proposal to issue seven Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 4(d) determinations for seven Chinook, coho, and chum salmon hatchery programs operating in the Snohomish River Basin in Washington State.
The seven determinations would be made pursuant to ESA section 4(d), Limit 6. These programs will propagate Skykomish Chinook, coho, and chum salmon and the program goals are to:
- Produce Chinook, coho, and chum salmon for sustainable fisheries;
- Supplement and support local natural salmon populations;
- Contribute to fulfilling federal tribal trust responsibilities and treaty rights guaranteed through treaties and affirmed in U.S. v. Washington (1974); and
- Recover ESA-listed Puget Sound Chinook salmon.
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 under the above-mentioned ESA compliance pathway.
The public comment period for the PEPD closed on April 4, 2022.