Hatchery production, HGMPs and the ESA

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ESA-listed salmonids in Washington

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) provides for the listing of species as “endangered” or “threatened” and prohibits the “take” of endangered species. Take is defined by the ESA as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.” NOAA Fisheries has extended the prohibition against take of endangered species to west coast salmon and steelhead populations listed as threatened under the ESA.

Salmon and steelhead hatchery programs that WDFW operates in regions with fish and wildlife listed under the federal ESA are reviewed by NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (where species under USFWS jurisdiction are present, such as bull trout) to ensure consistency with the requirements of the ESA. These requirements are defined in Limit 5 (state operated programs with no tribal connection) or Limit 6 (programs operated under U.S. v. Washington or U.S. v. Oregon) of the ESA §4(d) Rules for salmon and steelhead, 50 CFR 223.203(b).

The review process requires NOAA Fisheries to obtain its own authorization under the ESA before approving a proposed program. This typically results in Biological Opinions and Incidental Take Statements to the federal agency from NOAA Fisheries and the USFWS (Services). The Incidental Take Statements issued to NOAA Fisheries also cover the hatchery operator.  NOAA Fisheries must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act when issuing an Incidental Take Statement. 

The Services have completed 4(d) reviews and issued Biological Opinions and Incidental Take Statements for many Puget Sound and Columbia River hatchery programs. WDFW is currently in or awaiting to initiate the review process with the Services on additional Puget Sound and Columbia River basin hatchery operations. Because of the depth of the review process, limited staffing at the Services, and the number of programs, the process has not yet been completed for some programs. WDFW is working with the Services to accelerate and expeditiously complete the review process.

Click here to view the status of ESA reviews and the NEPA process for WDFW’s hatchery programs and associated requirements.

Puget Sound

Deep South Sound (Minter Creek, Chambers Creek, South Sound Net Pens, Deschutes River)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Chambers Creek Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026    
Deschutes River Coho Under review HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026    
Deschutes River Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026    
Minter Creek Coho Under review HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026    
Minter Creek Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026    
Minter Creek Chum Under review HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026    
South Sound Chinook Net Pens Under review HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026    
South Sound Coho Net Pens Under review HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026    

Green (Soos Creek, Palmer Ponds, Icy Creek)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Soos Summer Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued NOAA Biological Opinion

USFWS Biological Opinion
Duwamish Green River ROD

Duwamish Green River EIS
Green River Winter Late Native Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued
Marine Tech Lab Coho ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued
Soos Creek Coho ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued
Soos Creek Fall Chinook ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued

Hood Canal (Hoodsport)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Hoodsport Chum ESA Authorized Initial HGMP approved 9/30/2016; reinitiation HGMP approved 3/8/2022

Hood Canal 4(d) Limit 6 Decision Memo

Hood Canal NOAA Biological Opinion (reinitiation)

Hood Canal USFWS Biological Opinion

Hood Canal EA and FONSI

Hood Canal Supplemental Information Report

Hoodsport Fall Chinook ESA Authorized Initial HGMP approved 9/30/2016; reinitiation HGMP approved 3/8/2022

Lake Washington (Issaquah Creek, Cedar River, University of Washington)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Issaquah Creek Coho ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued

Lake Washington NOAA Biological Opinion

Lake Washington USFWS Biological Opinion

Lake Washington Final EA and FONSI
Issaquah Creek Fall Chinook ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued
Lake Washington Sockeye (Cedar River) ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued
University of Washington Chinook ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued
University of Washington Coho ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued

Nooksack River (Kendall Creek, Samish River, Glenwood Springs)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Glenwood Springs Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024    
Kendall Creek Coho Under review HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024  

 

Kendall Creek Early Winter Steelhead Under review HGMP Approved 4/15/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued

Early Winter Steelhead 1 4(d) Determination

Early Winter Steelhead 1 Evaluation and Recommendation Determination

Early Winter Steelhead 1 NOAA Biological Opinion (1 of 2) Dungeness, Kendall, Whitehorse

Early Winter Steelhead 1 USFWS Biological Opinion (Nooksack only)

Puget Sound Early Winter Steelhead EIS

Puget Sound Early Winter Steelhead ROD

Kendall Creek Fall Chum Under review HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024    
Kendall Creek Spring Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024    
Samish River Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024    
Whatcom Creek Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024    
Whatcom Creek Chum  Under review HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024    

Puyallup River (Voights Creek)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Minter Creek-Hupp Springs (White River) Spring Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 12/1/2022; expected completion 2026    
Voights Creek Coho Under review HGMP submitted 12/1/2022; expected completion 2026    
Voights Creek Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 12/1/2022; expected completion 2026    

Skagit River (Marblemount, Baker Lake)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Baker Lake Coho Under review HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025    
Baker Lake Sockeye Under review HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025    
Marblemount Chum ESA Authorized HGMP approved 10/26/2022; Incidental Take Statement issued

Skagit River NOAA Biological Opinion

Skagit River USFWS Biological Opinion

 
Marblemount Coho Under review HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025    
Marblemount Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025    
Marblemount Spring Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025    
Marblemount Summer Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025    

Skokomish River (George Adams, Mckernan)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
George Adams Coho Under review HGMP submitted 12/17/2021; expected completion 2024    
George Adams Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 12/17/2021; expected completion 2024    
McKernan Fall Chum Under review HGMP submitted 12/17/2021; expected completion 2024    

Snohomish River (Wallace River, Skykomish River)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Skykomish River Summer Steelhead (Reiter Ponds) ESA Authorized HGMP approved 7/2/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued

Skykomish River NOAA Summer Steelhead Letter of Concurrence

Skykomish River USFWS Summer Steelhead Biological Opinion
Sunset Falls Skykomish Summer Steelhead EA and FONSI
Tokul Creek Early Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 4/15/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued

Early Winter Steelhead USFWS Biological Opinion

Reiter and Tokul NOAA Biological Opinion

Puget Sound Early Winter Steelhead EIS

Puget Sound Early Winter Steelhead ROD

Wallace River Chum ESA Authorized Initial HGMP approved  9/27/2017;  reinitiation HGMP approved  12/13/2022; Incidental Take Statement issued

Snohomish River NOAA Biological Opinion

Snohomish River USFWS Biological Opinion

Snohomish River NOAA Biological Opinion (reinitiation)
Snohomish Hatcheries Final Supplemental EA and FONSi
Wallace River Coho ESA Authorized Initial HGMP approved 9/27/2017;  reinitiation HGMP approved 12/13/2022; Incidental Take Statement issued
Wallace River Summer Chinook ESA Authorized Initial HGMP approved 9/27/2017;  reinitiation HGMP approved 12/13/2022; Incidental Take Statement issued

Stillaguamish River

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Whitehorse River Early Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 4/15/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued Early Winter Steelhead Biological Opinion Stillaguamish Final EA and FONSI

Strait of Juan de Fuca

Elwha River

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Elwha Summer/Fall Chinook ESA Authorized Initial HGMP approved 12/10/2012; reinitiationHGMP approved 12/15/2014; Incidental Take Statement issued Elwha River NOAA Biological Opinion (reinitiation)

Elwha River NOAA Biological Opinion 

Elwha River USFWS Biological Opinion
Elwha EA and FONSI

Dungeness River (Dungeness River, Hurd Creek)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Dungeness River Coho ESA Authorized Initial HGMP approved 5/31/2016; reinitation HGMP approved 9/24/2019; Incidental Take Statement issued

 

Dungeness USFWS Biological Opinion

Dungeness River NOAA Coho Biological Opinion

Dungeness Salmon and Steelhead Biological Opinion

Dungeness EA and FONSI

Dungeness Coho Hatchery Supplemental Information Report
Dungeness River Early Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP Approved 4/15/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued

Early Winter Steelhead NOAA Biological Opinion

Dungeness USFWS Biological Opinion

Puget Sound Early Winter Steelhead EIS

Puget Sound Early Winter Steelhead ROD

Dungeness River Pink ESA Authorized HGMP approved 5/31/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued

Dungeness Salmon and Steelhead Biological Opinion

Dungeness USFWS Biological Opinion

Dungeness EA and FONSI
Dungeness River Spring Chinook Under FWS review Initial HGMP approved 5/31/2016; waiting for completion of FWS reinitiation

Dungeness USFWS Biological Opinion

Dungeness River NOAA Chinook Biological Opinion

Dungeness EA and FONSI

Dungeness Chinook Supplemental Information Report

Dungeness Summer Chum Under review HGMP submitted 1/24/2023; expected completion 2025/2026    

Lower Columbia River

Cowlitz River (Cowlitz River Salmon, Cowlitz River Trout)

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Cowlitz River Coastal Cutthroat Trout Under review HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027    
Cowlitz River Coho Under review HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027    
Cowlitz River Fall Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027    
Cowlitz River Spring Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027    
Cowlitz River Summer Steelhead Under review HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027    
Cowlitz River Winter Steelhead Under review HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027    

Lewis River (Lake Merwin, Lewis River and Speelyai)

 

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Lewis River Chum Under review HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027    
Lewis River Spring Chinook Under review HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027    
Lewis River Late Coho (Type N) Under review HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027    
Lewis River Early Coho (Type S) ESA Authorized FERC License Approved 8/27/2007; Incidental Take Statement issued

Lewis River Hydroelectric Project NMFS Biological Opinion August 27 2007

USFWS Biological Opinion 2006

Merwin Eulachon NOAA Biological and Conference Opinion

Lewis River Hydroelectric Project EIS
Lewis River Summer Steelhead ESA Authorized FERC License Approved 8/27/2007; Incidental Take Statement issued
Lewis River Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized FERC License Approved 8/27/2007; Incidental Take Statement issued
Lewis River Late Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized FERC License Approved 8/27/2007; Incidental Take Statement issued

Mitchell Act

Programs NOAA Status Review Status ESA Documents NEPA Documents
Beaver Creek Summer Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued

 

Mitchell Act NOAA Biological Opinion

 

Mitchell Act USFWS Letter of Concurrence

 

Mitchell Act 4(d) determination

 

Mitchell Act Sufficiency Letter

Columbia  River  Basin  Hatchery Operations  and the  Funding  of Mitchell Act Hatchery  Programs EIS

 

Mitchell Act ROD

 

Mitchell Act Evaluation and Recommendation Determination

Beaver Creek Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Cathlamet Channel Spring Chinook Net Pen ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Coweeman River Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Deep River Fall Chinook ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Elochoman River Type N Coho ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Grays River Type N Coho ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Kalama River Early Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Kalama River Fall Chinook ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Kalama River Spring Chinook ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Kalama River Summer Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Kalama River Summer Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Kalama River Type N Coho ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Kalama River Winter Late Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
North Fork Toutle River Coho ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
North Fork Toutle River Fall Chinook ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Salmon Creek (Klineline Ponds) Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Skamania River (Washougal) Summer Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Skamania River (Washougal) Winter Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
South Fork Toutle River Summer Steelhead ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Washougal River Coho ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Washougal River Fall Chinook ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued
Deep River Coho ((Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE)) ESA Authorized HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued Select Area Fisheries Enhancement NOAA Biological Opinion