Handel i gospodarka · 10/12/2004

Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat for Seven Evolutionarily Significant Units of Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead (O. mykiss) in California

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to designate critical habitat for two Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and five ESUs of O. mykiss (inclusive of anadromous steelhead and resident rainbow trout) listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The specific areas proposed for designation in the rule text set out below include approximately 11,668 miles (18,669 km) of riverine habitat and 947 mi\2\ (2,444 km\2\) of bay/estuarine habitat (primarily in San Francisco-San Pablo-Suisun Bays) in California. Some of the proposed areas, however, are occupied by two or more ESUs. However, as explained below, we are also considering excluding many of these areas from the final designation based on existing land management plans and policies, voluntary conservation efforts and other factors that could substantially reduce the scope of the final designations. The net economic impacts of ESA section 7 associated with designating the areas described in the proposed rule are estimated to be approximately $83,511,186, but we believe the additional exclusions under review could reduce this impact by up to 57 per