Section 10 (a)(1)(A) Scientific Research and Enhancement Permit 26495

NOAA Fisheries is initiating a 30-day public comment period on their application for an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10(a)(1)(A) scientific enhancement permit (permit 26495). The application involves enhancing the survival of endangered Central California Coast (CCC) Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and threatened NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region (WCR) Roll-Out Plan CCC Distinct Population Segment (DPS) steelhead (O. mykiss) in drying coastal streams of California’s Santa Cruz Mountains through rescue and relocation of these species.

Under the proposed permit, NOAA Fisheries and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) biologists will rescue coho salmon and steelhead from drying streams and relocate them to suitable habitat. The rescue and relocation activities will occur in the following watersheds: San Gregorio Creek, Pescadero Creek, Gazos Creek, Waddell Creek, Scott Creek, San Vicente Creek, Laguna Creek, Liddell Creek, Majors Creek, San Lorenzo River, Soquel Creek, and Aptos Creek.

This proposed scientific enhancement effort is expected to enhance survival and support coho and steelhead recovery within the CCC ESU of coho salmon and CCC DPS of steelhead and is consistent with recommendations and objectives outlined in NOAA Fisheries’ Recovery Plans.