NOAA Requests Comments on an Alternative Approach to Delineate Steelhead

November 7, 2005

Release from:
NOAA

NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking public comment on a new proposed approach to delineate and list steelhead-only population groups of West Coast Oncorhynchus mykiss. In June 2004, NOAA proposed that ten Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of West Coast O. mykiss be listed as endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. After reviewing additional information, NOAA has reconsidered the decision to apply the Pacific salmon ESU Policy to these steelhead and rainbow trout stocks.

At this time, NOAA is seeking comment on the proposed application of the joint NOAA/FWS "Policy Regarding the Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments under the Endangered Species Act" in delineating O. mykiss DPS for listing consideration. The joint DPS Policy adopts similar but slightly different criteria from the ESU Policy for determining when a group of organisms constitutes a DPS. Despite the apparent lack of substantial reproductive isolation between steelhead and rainbow trout within a given population or group, under the DPS Policy these two life forms may not warrant delineation as part of the same DPS.

The public is invited to comment on whether the final rule should delineate ten steelhead-only DPS. All comments on this proposal must be received by 5pm Pacific time on December 5. Send comments to: SteelheadDPS.nwr@noaa.gov. Please include "Proposed Steelhead DPS and Listings'" in the subject line of the message. The final listing determinations will be made by December 14, 2005.

For more information, visit http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/ and click on "What's New?", or contact Marta.Nammack@noaa.gov.