Endangered and Threatened Species: Proposed Threatened Status and Designated Critical Habitat for Ozette Lake, Washington Sockeye Salmon

NMFS has completed a comprehensive status review of west coast sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) populations in Washington, Oregon, and California and has identified six Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) within this range, namely, Okanogan River, Lake Wenatchee, Quinault Lake, Ozette Lake, Baker River, and Lake Pleasant, all in the State of Washington. NMFS concluded that the Ozette Lake sockeye is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future, but that the other ESUs, including Okanogan River, Lake Wenatchee, Quinault Lake, Baker River, and Lake Pleasant sockeye salmon, are not in danger of extinction, nor are they likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future, thus determining that these ESUs did not warrant listing under the ESA. NMFS is now issuing a proposed rule to list Ozette Lake sockeye as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Ozette Lake sockeye spawn in Ozette Lake and its tributaries in Washington. NMFS is also proposing to add Baker River sockeye to the candidate species list because, while there is not sufficient information available at this time to indicate that Baker River sockeye warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), NMFS has identified specific risk factors and concerns that require further consideration prior to making a final determination on the overall health of the ESU. Only naturally spawned sockeye salmon are being proposed for listing. Critical habitat for this ESU is being proposed as the species' current freshwater and estuarine range and includes all waterways, substrate, and adjacent riparian zones below longstanding, naturally impassable barriers. NMFS is requesting public comments and input on the issues pertaining to this proposed rule and on integrated local/state/Federal conservation measures that might best achieve the purposes of the ESA relative to recovering the health of sockeye salmon populations and the ecosystems upon which they depend. Should the proposed listings be made final, protective regulations under the ESA would be put into effect, and a recovery plan would be adopted and implemented.