Species are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) because their numbers have declined to such an extent that they are in danger of becoming extinct. At such low numbers, many species often no longer occupy their historical habitats. Reintroducing a species into its historical range often is critical for its recovery.
The ESA provides an important tool to facilitate the reintroduction of threatened and endangered species, such as salmon. Section 10(j) of the ESA provides NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (collectively referred to as the Services) authority to designate populations of listed species as “experimental.” This designation allows the Services to reestablish self-sustaining populations in regions that are outside the species’ current range when doing so fosters its conservation and recovery.
An experimental population is a geographically-described group that is isolated from other existing populations of the species. Individuals in the experimental population are classified as threatened, not endangered, under the ESA. This designation provides flexibility in managing the reintroduced population. It allows the Services to reduce the legal protections required by the ESA, protecting individuals, municipalities, and others who may accidentally harm the population while engaged in otherwise lawful activities.
When designating a population as experimental, additional classifications must be made. The Services must determine whether the population is “essential” to the survival of the species (i.e., the species will go extinct without the reintroduction of this population) or “non-essential” (i.e., the reintroduced population will contribute to restoring the species, but its recovery can be achieved without the population).
All of NOAA Fisheries' ESA 10(j) designations of Pacific salmon and steelhead populations have been classified as non-essential to date. Additionally, protective regulations often accompany a 10(j) designation. Under Section 4(d) of the ESA, “take” restrictions can be relaxed when doing so advances conservation efforts.
Designating experimental populations furthers conservation of at-risk species. It is an ESA tool that supports several conservation and societal goals. It allows the Services to advance recovery objectives by re-establishing self-sustaining populations, while simultaneously protecting private landowners, tribes, and local, state, and federal governments from ESA liabilities while they work to develop long-term conservation measures for the species.
In 2016, NOAA Fisheries issued regulations to guide the development of future ESA 10(j) designations. The regulations are intended to direct the process for future designations and do not impact ESA 10(j) designations currently in place, such as the three populations identified below.
NOAA Fisheries' ESA 10(j) Designations on the West Coast
Okanogan River, Washington: Experimental Population Designation for Upper Columbia River spring-run Chinook
Upper Deschutes River, Oregon: Experimental Population Designation for Middle Columbia River steelhead
San Joaquin River, California: Experimental Population Designation for Central Valley spring-run Chinook
