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11. [Image] The Oregon plan for salmon and watersheds
KCAMATH FALLS. QREEON THE OREGON PLAN FOR SALMON AND WATERSHEDS The purpose of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds ( the " Oregon Plan") as stated in the Plan and reaffirmed in this Executive Order ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- The Oregon plan for salmon and watersheds
- Author:
- Oregon. Office of the Governor
- Year:
- 1999, 2005, 2004
KCAMATH FALLS. QREEON THE OREGON PLAN FOR SALMON AND WATERSHEDS The purpose of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds ( the " Oregon Plan") as stated in the Plan and reaffirmed in this Executive Order is to restore Oregon's wild salmon and trout populations and fisheries to sustainable and productive levels that will provide substantial environmental, cultural, and economic benefits and to improve water quality. The Oregon Plan is a long- term, ongoing effort that began as a focused set of actions by state, local, tribal and private organizations and individuals in October of 1995. The Oregon Plan first addressed coho salmon on the Oregon Coast, was then broadened to include steelhead trout on the coast and in the Lower Columbia River, and is now expanding to all at- risk wild salmonids throughout the state. The Oregon Plan addresses all factors for decline of these species, including watershed conditions arid fisheries, to the extent those factors can be affected by the state. The Oregon Plan was endorsed and funded by the Oregon Legislature in 1997 through Oregon Senate Bill 924 ( 1 997 Or. Laws, ch. 7) and House Bill 3700 ( 1 997 Or. Laws, ch.' 8). The Oregon Plan is described in two principal documents: " The Oregon Plan," dated March 1997, and " The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, Supplement I - steelhbad," dated January 1998. As used in this Executive Order, + the Oregon Plan also incorporates the Healthy Streams Partnership ( Oregon Senate Bill 101 0, 1 993- Or. Laws, ch. 263). The Oregon Plan is a cooperative effort of state, local, federal, tribal and private organizations and individuals. Although the Oregon Plan contains a strong foundation of protective regulations -- continuing existing regulatory programs and speeding the implementation of others - an essential principle of the Plan is the need to move beyond prohibitions and to encourage efforts to improve conditions for salmon through non- regulatory means. Many of the most significant contributions to the Oregon Plan are private and quasi- governmental efforts to protect and . restore salmon on working landscapes, including efforts by watershed councils. Salmon and trout restoration requires action and sacrifice across the entire economic and geographic spectrum of Oregon. The commercial and sport fishing industries in Oregon have been heavily affected by complete or partial closures of fisheries. The forest industry operates under the Oregon Forest Practices Act, and has contributed substantially to salmon recovery through habitat restoration projects on private lands and by funding a large pan of the state recovery efforts. The agriculture and mining industries are also taking actions that will protect and restore salmon and trout habitat and improve water quality ( including financial support of restoration efforts by the mining industry). Urban areas are developing water conservation programs, spending funds for wastewater treatment improvements to reduce point source pollution, reducing non- point source pollution and reducing activities that degrade riparian areas. All citizens of Oregon share responsibility for declining populations of wild salmon and trout, and it is important that there be both a broad commitment to reversing these historic trends and a sense that the burdens of restoration are being shared by all of society. It is also important that there be independent scientific oversight of the Oregon Plan. This oversight is being provided by the Independent Mutidisciplinary Science Team ( IMST), established under Oregon Senate Bill 924 ( 1 997 Or. Laws, ch. 7). ~ d'ditional legislative oversight for the Oregon Plan is being provided by the Joint Legislative Committee on . Salmon and Stream Enhancement ( the " Joint Committee!'). Under the federal Endangered Species Act ( ESA) the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service . . ( F& WS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service ( NMFS) are responsible for identifying species that are threatened or endangered, and for developing programs to conserve and recover lhose species. F& WS and NMFS have now listed salmonids under the ESA on the entire Oregon Coast, the lower Columbia River ( including most of the Portland metropolitan area). the la math River basin, and in the upper Columbia and Snake River basins. More listings are expected within the next year. To date, the F& WS and NMFS generally have not had the resources to develop and implement effective recovery plans for fisheries. In addition, in many areas a large proportion of the habitat that list'ed'salmonids depend on is located on private lands, where the regulatory tools under the ESA are relatively ' ill- defined and indirect. Finally, federal agencies alone, even if they take an active regulatory approach. to recovery, will not restore listed salmonids. The federal ESA may work to prohibit certain actions, but there is simply too much habitat on private lands for restoration to succeed without pro- active involvement and incentives for individuals, groups, and local governments to take affirmative actions to restore habitat on working landscapes. In April, 1997 the State of Oregon and NMFS entered into a Memorandum of Agreement ( MOA) under which the State agreed to continue existing measures under the March 1997 Oregon Plan and to take certain additional actions to protect and restbre coho salmon on the Oregon Coast. On May 6, 1997, NMFS determined that the Oregon Coast Evolutionarily Significant Unit ( ESU) of coho salmon did not warrant listing as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA. On June 2, 1998, the US. District Court for Oregon ordered NMFS to reconsider its decision without taking into account any parts of the Oregon Plan or MOA that are not " current enforceable measures." The U. S. District Court for Oregon also held that the MOA was speculative, due to the fact that it provided for termination by either party on thirty days notice, and that therefore the MOA could not be considered by NMFS ' in its listing decision. Under court order, NMFS reconsidered its decision without taking into account the application in the future of the harvest and hatchery measures contained in the Oregon Plan, or the habitat improvement programs being undertaken under the Oregon Plan, or the commitments made by the State of Oregon in the MOA for improvement of applicable habitat measures. Accordingly, NMFS listed Oregon Coast .. . coho as threatened undefthe ESA on or about October 2, 1998. - The MOA provided for the State of Oregon to take actions necessary to ensfie that - Oregon Coast coho did not warrant listing as a threatened or endangered species under the federal ESA. Now that Oregon Coast coho are listed as a threatened species as a- result of the U. S. District Court's order, the central purpose of the MOA has been eliminated. Due to the uncertainties created by the District Court's decision and the increasing extent of salmonids listed or proposed for listing under the federal ESA, it is important that the status of the State of Oregon's substantive commitments under the MOA and the purpose of the Oregon Plan be clarified. Through this Executive Order, the State of Oregon reaffirms its intent to play the leading role in protecting and restoring Oregon Coast coho and other salmonids. through the implementation of the Oregon Plan. This Executive Order provides the framework and direction for state agencies to implement ( to the extent of their authorities) the Oregon Plan in a timely and effective manner. This Executive Order also provides a framework for extending the state's efforts beyond a focus on Oregon Coast coho, to watersheds and fisheries statewide. Consistent with the principle of adaptive management, this Order applies the experience gained to date in implementing the Oregon Plan to provide additional detailed direction to state agencies. Finally, this Executive Order establishes a public involvement process to prioritize continuing efforts under the Oregon Plan. NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED: ( 1) Overall Direction ( a) Agencies of the State of Oregon will, consistent with their authorities, fully implement the state agency efforts described in the Oregon Plan and in this Executive Order. ( b) The overall objective for state agencies under the Oregon Plan and this Executive Order is to protect and restore salmonids and to improve water quality. ( c) The Governor will, in cooperation with the Joint Committee, IMST, affected state agencies, watershed councils, and other affected local entities and persons develop and implement, a process to set biological and habitat goals and objectives to protect and restore salmonids on a basin or regional basis as soon as practicable. Once these goals and objectives are established, they will be used by state agencies . . . to evaluate their regulatory and non- regulatory programs and measures relating to the protection and re'storation of salmonids. Through this on- going evaluation, state agencies will determine any changes to their programs or measures that may be necessary to meet the biological and habitat goals and objectives. In the interim, the following objectives in subsections ( d) and ( e) shall apply to agencies' implem'entation of the OregGn Plan and this Executive Order. . . ( d) Actions that state agencies take, fund and/ or authorize that are primarily for a purpose other than restoration of salmonids or the habitat they depend upon will, considering the anticipated duration and geographic scope of the actions: ( A) to the maximum extent practicable minimize and mitigate adverse effects of the actions on salmoni. ds or the habitat they depend on; and ( 8) not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and recovery of salmonids in the wild. ( e) State agencies will take, fund and/ or authorize actions that are primarily for the purpose of restoring salmonids or the habitat they depend upon, including actions implementing the Oregon Plan, with the goal of producing a conservation benefit that ( if taken together with comparable and related actions by all persons and entities within the range of the species) is likely to result in sustainable population levels of salmonids in the foreseeable future, and in population levels of salmonids that provide substantial environmental, cultural and economic benefits to Oregonians in the long term. ( f) With the broadening of the Oregon Plan,' prioritizing all agency actions according to coho core areas is no longer appropriate. Each state agency participating in the Oregon Plan, in consultation with ODFW and other partners involved in the implementation of the Plan and through a public involvement process, will modify their existing work programs in the Oregon Plan to prioritize agency measures to protect and restore salmonids in a timely and effective manner. The work programs will continue to identify key specific outcomes, refine and improve designations of priority areas, and establish completion dates. These modifications will be submitted to the , Governor, the Joint Committee, and to the appropriate boards and commissions as soon as possible, but in no event later than June 1, 1999. Progress reports on action plans will be submitted to the Governor, the Joint Committee, and to the appropriate boards and commissions on an annual basis. In prioritizing their efforts,' state agencies shall consider how to maximize conservation -, benefits for salmonids and the habitat they depend on within limited resources and - . whether their- actions are likely to increase populations of salmonids in the foreseeable future. I p ( g) State agencies will work cooperatively with landowners, local entities and other persons taking actions to protect or restore salmonids. ( h) As the Oregon Plan grows in geographic scope and . in intensity of activity,' there is a growing need to streamline and prioritize state agency activity at the . regional level. One proposal has been to organize state natural resource agency field operations along hydrologic units. Therefore, state agencies will consider this proposal and, through the collective efforts of state agency directors, develop an organization plan that focuses state agency field effort on the activities and areas of highest priority under the Oregon Plan. ( i) State. agencies will continue to encourage and work with agencies of the U. S. government to implement the federal measures described in the Oregon Plan.. In addition, the state agencies will work with the federal government to develop additional means of protecting and restoring salmonids. Where appropriate, state agencies will request that federal agencies obtain incidental take permits under Section 7 of the federal ESA for state actions that ace funded or authorized by a , federal agency. ( j) State agencies will help support efforts to evaluate watershed conditions, and to develop'specific strategic plans to provide for flood management, water quality improvement, and salmonid restoration in basins around the state, including the Willamette basin through the Willamette Restoration Initiative. ( k) The IMST will continue to provide oversight to ensure the use of the best scientific information available as the basis for implementation of and for adaptive changes to the Oregon Plan. State agencies will ensure that the IMST receives data and other information reasonably required for its functions in a timely manner. The Governor's Natural Resources Office ( GNRO) has requested that the IMST's initial priority be review of the freshwater habitat needs of coho and the relationship between population levels, escapement levels, and habitat characteristics. The GNRO also will continue to request that the IMST annually review monitoring results and identify where the Oregon Plan warrants change for scientific or technical reasons and make recommend& ions to the appropriate agency on those adjustments that appear necessary. Agencies will report their responses to any recommendations by . . the IMST to the Governor and to the Joint Committee. Any other changes identified by the IMST as necessary to achieve properly functioning riparian and aquatic habitat conditions required to, protect and restore salmonids will be forwarded to the appropriate governmental entity for its consideration of the adoption of new, changed, or supplemental measures as rapidly as possible while providing for public involvement: Each state agency, by June 1, 1999, will ratify a monitoring team charter through an interagency memorandum. A draft of the charter is contained in the 1998 Oregon Plan Annual Report. ( I) Monitoring is a key element of the Oregon Plan. Each state agency will actively support the monitoring strategy described in the Oregon Plan. Each affected agency will participate on the monitoring team to coordinate activities and integrate analyses. Each agency will implement . an appropriate monitoring program to assess the effectiveness of their programs and measures in meeting the objectives set forth in the Oregon Planon an annual basis. In addition, agencies with regulatory programs that are included in the Oregon Plan will determine levels of compliance with regulatory standards and identify and act on opportunities to improve compliance levels: ( m) If information gathered regarding the effectiveness of measures in the Oregon Plan shows that existing strategies within state control are not achie, ving expected improvements and objectives, the agency( ies1 responsible for those measures will seek appropriate changes in their regulations, policies, programs, r-measures and other areas of the Oregon Plan, as required to protect and restore coho and other sal'monids. Such modification or supplementation will be done as rapidly as possible, consistent with public involvement. ( n) Agencies are using geographically- referenced data in their efforts under the Oregon Plan, and will be using Geographic Information Systems ( GIs) in the analysis of these , data. In doing so, the State GIs Plan, developed by the Oregon Geographic lnformation Council ( OGIC) ( see Executive Order 96- 40) will be followed, with specific adherence to the Plan guidance on data documentation, coordination and data sharing. The agency with primary responsibility for gathering and updating the specific data will be responsible for meeting the requirements of the Plan, and to ensure coordination- with OGIC, the State Service Center for GIs and other' cooperating agencies. In addition, state agencies will cooperate with the Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board ( GWEB), Soil and. Water Conservation Districts ( SWCDs), local waters$ ed councils, landowners and others in making these essential data available. ( 0) Geographically- based strategies to assess and achieve habitat needs and adequate escapement levels will be used, and the state agencies will continue with the development of standardized watershed assessment protocols, including a -- cumulative effects assessment. State agencies will also continue with the development of habitat restoration guides to evaluate and direct habitat restoration efforts. ( 2) Continuation and Expansion of Existing Efforts. Without limiting the generality of section ( l)( a) of this Executive Order, the following subsections of this Executive Order describe some of the many efforts in the Oregon Plan where the initial phase of work has been completed, and where efforts will be continued. ( a) The Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission ( OFWC), the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife ( ODFW), and the Pacific Fishery Management Council ( PFMC) are managing ocean and terminal fisheries according to the measures set forth in the Oregon Plan ( ODFW I- A. l and Ill- A. l). These measures set a maximum mortality rate ( resulting from other fisheries) for any of four disaggregated stocks of coho of fifteen percent ( 1 5%) under poor ocean conditions. In 1997, the mortality rate. from harvest is estimated to have been between nine and eleven percent ( 9- 1 1 %). ODFW and OFWC will continue these measures in state waters, and will actively support continued implementation of the ocean harvest measures by the PFMC ( Amendment 13 to the Council's salmon management plan) until and unless a different management regime agreeable to NMFS is adopted. ( b) The OFWC and ODFW will ensure that the fish hatchery measures set forth in the Oregon Plan are continued by the OFWC and ODFW. ODFW is marking all hatchery coho on the Oregon Coast. This marking will allow increased certainty in estimating hatchery stray rates beginning in 1999. Available data on hatchery stray rates for coho and steelhead are being provided to NMFS on an annual basis. The number of hatchery coho released is estimated to have been 1.7 million in 1998 - substantially below the level called for in the Oregon Plan. This number will be reduced to 1.2 million in 1999. In addition, ODFW has, and will continue to provide. annual reports regarding: ( i) the number of juvenile hatchery coho that are released by brood year, locations and dates of release, life stage, and broodstock origin; ( ii) the number of adult coho taken for broodstock for each hatchery, the location and date of collection, and the origin ( hatchery or natural); ( iii) the number of hatchery coho . . estimated to have spawned in natural habitat by basin; ( iv) the estimated percentage of hatchery coho% the total natural spawning population; and ( v) the mortality of naturally- spawning coho resulting from each fishery. NMFS may provide comments about hatchery prograk affecting coho to ODFW, with any concerns to be resolved between NMFS and ODFW. - - ( c) ln addition to recent modifications to hatchery practices and programs, a new vision is needed for how Oregon will utilize hatcheries in the best and most effective manner. Therefore, the ODFW and the OFWC shall engage in a process to create a strategic plan for fish hatcheries in Oregon over the next decade ( including state and federally- funded hatcheries, private hatcheries, and the STEP program). The essential elements of this process are as follows: ( i) Impartial analysis - conduct an impartial analysis of the scientific bases, and the social and economic effects of Oregon hatchery programs utilizing existing analyses and review where feasible, but conducting new analyses if necessary; ( ii) Review the Wild Fish Management Policy ( WFMP) - because the future plan for hatcheries in Oregon is dependent on implementation of the WFMP, ODFW shall conduct a science and stakeholder review to determine if this significant policy should be revised and shall make any revision by July 2000; ( iii) Frame alternative strategies -- convene a group of stockholders to . frame alternative strategies, including outcomes and descriptions, of how hatcheries will be used in Oregon over the next decade ( these strategies will address the use of hatcheries for wild fish population recovery including supplementation, research and monitoring, public education, and sport and commercial fishing opportunities); ( iv) Public review and selection of a strategy -- the OFWC shall, after public review and ' ;-'-!&%; f$'. i comment, adopt a strategic plan to guide development of future hatchery programs, incorporating the strategy developed and adopted in accordance with subpart ( iii) of this paragraph. ( d) Criteria and guidelines directing the design of projects that may affect fish passage have been established in a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) between the Oregon Department of Transportation ( ODOT), ODFW, the Oregon Department of Forestry ( ODF), the Oregon Department of Agriculture ( ODA), the Division of State Lands ( DSL) and the Federal Highway Administration. These guidelines apply to the design, construction and consultations of projects affecting fish passage. Under the MOU, projects requiring regulatory approvals that follow these criteria and guidelines are expedited. Oregon agencies will continue to provide technical assistance to ensure that the criteria and guidelines are applied appropriately in restoration projects, as well as any other projects that may affect fish passage through road crossings and similar structures. ODFW will work with state agencies, local governments, and watershed councils to ensure that Oregon's standards for fish passage set forth in Exhibit A to the MOU are understood and are implemented. - ( e) Fish presence, stream habitat, road and culvert surveys have been conducted for roads within ODOT jurisdiction and county roads in coastal basins, the Lower Columbia basin, the Willamette basin, and the Grande Ronbe/ lmnaha basins. Among the results of these surveys is the finding that culvert barriers to fish passage affect a substantial quantity of salmonid habitat. For example, surveys of county and state highways in western Oregon found over 1,200 culverts that are barriers to passage. As a result, ODOT is placing additional priority on restoring fish access. For 1998, ODOT repaired or replaced 35 culverts restoring access to 101 miles of salmonid habitat. For 1999, the Oregon Transportation Commission will be asked to fund approximately $ 4.0 million for culvert modification. ODOT and the Commission will continue to examine means to speed restoration of fish passage and to coordinate priorities with ODFW. ( f) Draft watershed assessment protocols have been developed and are being field tested. Beginning in 1999, SWCDs, watershed councils and others will be able to use the protocols as the basis for action plans to identify and prioritize opportunities to protect and restore salmonids. Watershed action plans have already been completed in a number of basins including the Rogue, Coos, Coquille and Grande Ronde. State agencies will work to support these watershed assessments and plans to the maximum extent practicable. Where watershed action plans have been developed under the protocols, GWEB will ensure that projects funded through the Watershed Improvement Grant Fund are consistent with watershed action plans, and other state agencies will work with SWCDs and watershed councils to ensure that activities they authorize, fund or undertake are consistent with watershed action plans to the maximum extent practicable. ( g) The State of Oregon has developed interim aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement guidelines for 1998. State agencies involved with restoration activities ( ODFW, ODF, DSL, ODA, DEQ, and GWEB) will continue to develop and refine the interim guidelines for final publication in April 1999. The guidelines will be applied in restoration activities funded or authorized by state agencies. The purpose of ' the guidelines will be to define aquatic restoration and to identify and encourage aquatic habitat restoration techniques to restore salmonids. . . ( h) ODA and O ~ hFave each entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oregon Department'of Environmental Quality relating to the development of . Total Maximum Daily Loads ( TMDLs) and Water Quality Management Area Plans ( WQMAPs). O Dw~ ill adopt. a nd implement WQMAPs ( through the Healthy Streams Partnership) and ODF , will review the adequacy of forest practices rules to meet water quality standards. ODF and ODA will evaluate the effectiveness of these measures in achieving water quality standards on a regular basis and implement any changes required to meet the standards. ( i) Agencies are implementing a coordinated monitoring program, as described in the Oregon Plan. This program includes technical support and standardized protocols for watershed councils, stream habitat surveys, forest practice effectiveness monitoring, water withdrawal monitoring, ambient water quality monitoring, and biotic index studies, as well as fish presence surveys and salmonid abundance and survival monitoring in selected subbasins. State agencies are also' working to coordinate monitoring efforts by state, federal, and local entities, including watershed councils. State agencies will work actively to ensure that the monitoring measures' in the Oregon Plan are continued. - .. ( j) GWEB has put into place new processes for identifying and coordinating the delivery of financial and technical assistance to individuals, agencies, watershed councils and soil and water conservation districts as they implement watershed ' restoration projects to improve water quality and restore aquatic resources. Over $ 25 ' million has been distributed for watershed restoration projects in the last ten years. During the present ( 1 997- 99 biennium) GWEB has awarded over $ 1 2 million dollars in f- state and federal funds for technical'assistance and watershed restoration activities to implement the Oregon Plan. GWEB and state agencies will continue to seek financial resources to be allocated by GWEB for watershed restoration activities at the local and. statewide levels. ( k) State agencies will continue to encourage, support and work to provide incentives for local, tribal, and private . efforts to implement the Oregon Plan. In addition, state agencies will continue to provide financial assistance to local entities for projects to protect and restore salmonids to the extent consistent with their budgetary and legal authorities, and consistent with their work programs in the Oregon Plan. To the. maximum extent practicable, state agencies will also provide technical assistance and planning tools to provide local conservation groups to assist in and target watershed restoration efforts. These efforts ( during 1996 and 1997) are reported in " The Oregon. Plan for Salmon and Watersheds: Watershed Restoration Inventory, 1998." ~ u s c afe w of the important efforts that have been completed include: ( A) Eighty- two watershed councils have joined with forty- five Soil and Water Conservation Districts as well as private and public landowners to implement on- the- ground projects' to protect and restore salmonids. During 1996 and 1997, a reported $ 27.4 million was spent on 1,234 watershed restoration projects on non-federal lands. Both the amount spent and the number of projects represent significant increases ( of over 300 percent) over prior years. In 1996- 97, watershed councils, SWCDs and other organizations and individuals completed: ( i) 138 stream fencing projects, involving at least 301 miles of streambank; ( ii) 196 riparian area planting projects, involving at least 11 1 miles of streams; and ( iii) 458 instream habitat improvement projects. . . . ( B) Private and state forest landowners are implementing key efforts under the Oregon Plan, including the road risk and remediation program ( ODF- 1 and 2). Under this effort in 1996 and 1997, close to 4,000 miles of roads'have been surveyed to identify risks that the roads may pose to salmonid habitat. As the risks are identified, they are then prioritized for remediation following an established. protocol. Already, 52 miles of forest roads have been closed, 843 miles of road repair and reconstruction projects to - protect salmonid habitat have been completed, and an additional 14 miles of roads have been decommissioned or relocated.. In addition, 530 culverts have been replaced, upgraded or installed for fish passage purposes, improving access to a reported 146 stream miles. ( C) Organizations working in Tillamook County have developed the I ." J aw#~ t Tillamook County Performance Partnership. The Partnership is implementing the \*. Tillamook Bay National Estuary Program by addressing water quality, fisheries, floodplain management and economic development in the county. Among the actions that the Partnership has already accomplished are: ( i) the closure of seven miles of degraded forest roads and the rehabilitation of 469 miles of roads to meet current standards, at a cost of $ 1 8 million; ( ii) the fencing of 53 miles of streambank, and the construction of three cattle bridges and 100 alternative cattle watering sites, at a cost of $ 214,000; and ( iii) the completion of 24 instream restoration projects and 34 barbs protecting 4,200 feet of streambank, at a cost of $ 1.3 million dollars. ( D) The Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde Community of Oregon have completed a forest management plan that establishes standards for the protection of aquatic resources that are comparable to those found in the Aquatic Conservation Strategy ' of the Northwest Forest Plan. . % ( E) A combination of funding from the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Heritage Foundation ( private, non- profit organizations) is provi, ding support for seven biologists to design restoration projects. These projects are prioritized based on stream surveys, and are carried out with the voluntary participation and support of landowners. A ten- year monitoring plan has been funded- and implemented to determine project effectiveness: ( F) The Oregon Cattlemen's Association has implemented its WESt Program that is designed to help landowners better understand their watersheds and stream functions through assessments and monitoring. h he WESt Program brings landowners together along stream reaches, and offers a series of workshops, conducted on a site specific basis, free of charge. The workshops include riparian ecology, setting goals and objectives, Proper Functioning Condition ( PFC), data. collection and monitoring. Over 25 workshops have been held, with attendance ranging from 5 to 30 landowners per workshop. The WESt Program is sponsored by the Oregon Cattlemen's Association, DEQ, Oregon State University, and GWEB. ( G) Within the Tillamook State Forest road network 1,902 culverts have been replaced or added to'improve road drainage and to disconnect storm water runoff from roads reducing stream sediment impacts. Additionally, some of these culverts also improved fish passage at stream crossings. In this process, ODF has also replaced six culverts with bridges improving fish passage to approximately four miles of stream. The Tillamook State Foresl in conjunction with many partners, such F-as the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, G W EB, Simpson Timber Company, Tillamook County, the FishAmerica Foundation, Hardrock Construction Company, the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation, the F& WS, the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, Columbia Helicopters and Terra Helicopters, has also recently completed instream placement of over 400 rootwads, trees and boulders at a cost of $ 300,000 for habitat enhancement. ( 3) Key Agency Efforts. Continuation and completion of the following state agency efforts is critical to the success of the Oregon Plan. State agencies will make continuation or completion ( as appropriate) of the following efforts a high priority. ( a) The State of Oregon and the US. Department of Agriculture have entered into a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program ( CREP). This cost- share program, one of the first of its kind, . will be used to reduce the impacts of agricultural practices through water quality. add habitat improvement. The objectives of the CREP are to: ( i) provide incentives'for farmers and ranchers to establish riparian buffers; ( ii) protect - . and restore at least 4,000 miles of stream habitat by providing up to 95,000 acres of riparian buffeis; ( i4) restore up to 5,000 acres of wetlands that will benefit salmonids; and ( iv) provide a mechanism for farmers and ranchers to comply with Oregon's ,- Senate Bill 101 0 ( 1 993 Or. Laws, ch. 263). ( b) ODF will work with non- industrial forest landowners to'administer the Stewardship Incentive Program and the Forest Resources Trust programs to protect and restore riparian and wetland areas that benefit salmonids. ( c) The Oregon Board of Forestry will determine, with the assistance of an advisory committee, to what extent changes to forest practices are needed to meet state water quality standards and to protect and restore salmonids. A substantial body of information regarding the effectiveness of current practices is being . developed. This information includes: ( i) the IMST report regarding . the role of forest practices and forest habitat in protecting and restoring salmonids; and ( ii) a series of - monitoring projects that include the Storms of 1996 study, a riparian areas study, a stream temperature study, and a road drainage study. Using this information, as well as other available scientific information including scientific information from NMFS, the advisory committee will make recommendations to the Board at both site and watershed scales on threats to salmonid habitat relating to sediment, water temperature, freshwater habitat needs, roads and fish passage. Based on the advisory committee's recommendations and other scientific information, the Board will make every effort to make its determinations by June 1999. The Board may . . determine that the most effective means of achieving any necessary changes to . - d;.~ .;* i;. z . I:@;.. %- .~ + k forest practices is through regulatory changes, statutory changes or through other programs . including programs to create incentives for forest landowners. In the event that the Board determines that legislative changes. are necessary to carry out its determinations, the Board will transmit any recommendations for such changes to the . Governor and to the Joint Committee at the earliest possible date. ( d) Consistent with administrative rule, and statutory and constitutional mandates for the management of state forests, ODF State Forest management plans will include an aquatic conservation strategy that has a high likelihood of protecting and restoring properly functioning aquatic habitat for salmonids on state forest lands. ( e) ODF will present to NMFS a Habitat Conservation Plan ( HCP) under Section 10 of the federal ESA that includes the Clatsop and Tillamook State Forests. ODF has already completed scierkific review and has public review underway for this draft HCP. The scientific and public review comments will be considered by ODF in . . completing the draft HCP. The draft HCP will be presented to NMFS by June 1999. An HCP for the ~ jliotSt tate Forest was approved by the US. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1995. In October af 1997, ODF and DSL forwarded the Elliott State Forest HCP to NMFS with the request that it be reviewed to determine whether it has a high likelihood of protecting and restoring properly functioning aquatic habitat conditions on state forest lands necessary to protect and restore salmonids. Based on discussions surrounding the NMFS review, ODF and DSL will determine what revisions, if any, are required to the Elliott HCP and/ or Forest Management Plan to ensure a high likelihood of protecting and restoring properly functioning aquatic habitat for salmonids. ( f) Before the OFWC adopts and implements fishery regulations that may result in taking of coho, ODFW will provide NMFS with'all available scientific information and analyses pertinent to the proposed regulation where the harvest measures are not under the jurisdiction of the PFMC, including results of the Oregon Plan monitoring and evaluation program. This information, together with the proposed regulation and supporting analysis, will be provided at least two weeks prior to the OFWC's action, to give NMFS time to review and comment on the proposed regulations. ( g) ODFW will evaluate the effects of predation on salmonids, and . will . work with . affected federal agencies to determine whether changes to programs and law relating to predation are warranted in order to protect and restore salmonids. P ( h) Under Oregon Senate Bill 101 0 ( 1 993 Or. Laws, ch. 2631, ODA will adopt Agricultural Water Qualify Management Area Plans ( AWQMAPs) for Tier I and Tier ll watersheds by the end of 2002. The AWQMAPs will be designed and implemented to meet load allocations for agriculture needed to achieve state water quality . . standards. In addition, ODA will work with ODFW, DEQ, GWEB, SWCDs, federal . agencies and watershed councils to determine to what extent additional measures related to achieving properly functioning riparian and aquatic habitat on agricultural lands are needed to protect and restore salmonids, giving attention first to priority areas identified in. the Oregon Plan. In the event ODA is unable to reach a consensus regarding such measures, ODA will ask the IMST to review areas of substantive ' scientific disagreement and to'make recommendations to ODA regarding how they should be resolved. In the event that legislative changes are needed to implement such measures, ODA will transmit any recommendations for such changes to. the Governor and to the Joint Committee at the earliest possible date. In addition, any measures identified as rieeded by ODA will be implemented at the earliest practicable time. * . ( i) ODFW will expedite its applications for instream water rights and OWRD will process such applications promptly where flow deficits are identified as adversely affecting salmonids, and where such rights. are not already in place. The Oregon - water Resources Department ( OWRD) and the Oregon Water Resources Commission ( OWRC) will- also seek to facilitate flow restoration targeted to streams identified by OWRD and ODFW as posing the most critical low- flow barriers to salmonids. In addition, where necessary, OWRD will continue to work with the Oregon State Police to provide enforcement of water use. Where illegal water uses are identified, OWRD will ensure outcomes consistent with maintenance and restoration of flows. ( j) The Oregon Environmental Quality commission ( EQC). and DEQ will evaluate and will make every effort to utilize their authorities to continue to provide additional protection to . priority areas ( as determined under section 1 ( f) of this Executive Order), including in- stream flow protection under state law, and antidegradation policy under . the federal Clean Water Act ( including Outstanding Resource Waters designations . and high quality waters designations). . ( k) DSL has proposed to adopt changes to its Essential Salmonid Habitat rules that will provide additional protection for spawning and rearing areas of anadromous salmonids. In addition, ODFW and DSL will consult with the OWRC to determine where it is necessary to administratively close priority areas ( including ' work under General Authorizations) to fill and removal activities in order to protect salmonids. . . DSL, ODFW, ODF and ODA also will work together to identify means of regulating the . uy- w :.-:: st. removal of organic material ( such as large woody debris) from streams where such removal would adversely affect salmonids and would not be contrary to other agency mandates. ( I) DSL will seek the advice of the IMST regarding whether gravel removal affects gravel and/ or sediment budgets in a manner that adversely affects salmonids. ( m) The Department of Land Conservation and ~ e v e l o p r n e n t ' ( ~ ~ acn~ d ) th, e Land Conservation- and Development Commission ( LCDC) will evaluate and, to the extent feasible, speed implementation of existing Goal 5 requirements for riparian corridors. ( n) DLCD, DEQ, ODF, ODA, ODFW, and DSL and their respective boards and commissions will evaluate and implement programs to protect and restore riparian vegetation for the purposes of achieving statewide water quality standards and . . protecting and restoring a aquatic habitat for salmonids. ' ( 0) DLCD, with, the assistance of DSL and ODFW, and in consultation with coastal cities and counties, shall review the requirements of Statewide Planning Goal i 6 as they pertain to estuarine resources important to the restoration of salmonids, and shall, report its findings to LCDC for its consideration. ( p) The Oregon State Police will work to facilitate the existing cooperative relationship with the NMFS Office of ~ a Ewnfo rcement, as well as tomaintain cooperation with other enforcement entities, in order to enhance law enforcement, public awareness and voluntary compliance related to harvest, habitat and other issues addressed in the Oregon Plan. ( q) The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will continue to work to p. rovide information and education to the public on salmon and steelhead needs through park programs and interpretive aids. ( r) The Oregon Marine Board will work to ensure fish friendly boating and to develop boating facilities that protect salmonids. ( s) State natural resource agencies will continue, to the extent feasible, to support watershed councils by providing technical assistance to develop watershed assessments, restoration plans and to develop watershed priorities to benefit 7- salmonids. In addition, state natural resource agencies will work'on a larger . .:.... watershed scale to develop basin- wide restoration priorities. ( 4) Future Modifications; Public Involvement for the Oregon Plan Generally. The GNRO will solicit public co'mments and input from participants in the Oregon Plan regarding whether there are refinements or changes to the Plan and/ or the organizational framework for implementing the Plan that are necessary or desirable based on the experience gained over the past three years, or resulting from the widespread listings and proposed listings of salmon and trout under the federal ESA. Based on this public involvement, the GNRO will provide a report and recommendations to the Governor and the Joint Committee regarding whether modifications are necessary to the Oregon Plan in order to protect and restore coho and other salmonids. ( 5) Definitions. For purioses'of this Executive Order: . . ( aj The " Oregon Plan" means the Oregon Coastal Salmon Recovery lnitiative, dated March 1991, and the Steelhead. Supplement, dated January 1998. " Oregon Plan," as used in this Order, is intended to be consistent with the definition of the' Oregon Coastal Salmon Recovery lnitiative in Oregon Senate Bill 924 ( 1997 Or. Laws, .- cti. 7), and to include the Healthy Streams Partnership ( 1 993 Or. Laws, ch. 263). -. - ( b) " Protect" has the meaning given in section ( l)( d) of this Executive Order. ( c) " Restore" has the meaning'given in section ( l)( e) of this Executive Order. Restore necessarily includes actions to manage salmonids to provide for adequate escapement levels, and actions to increase the quantity and improve the quality of properly functioning habitat upon which salmonids depend. ( d) " Coho" means native wild coho salmon found in rivers and lakes along the Oregon Coast. ( el " Salmonids" means native wild salmon, char and trout in the State of Oregon. ( 6) Effective Date; Relation to Federal ESA. This Executive Order will take effect on the date that it is filed with the Secretary of State. The State of Oregon will continue to work with NMFS to determine the appropriate relationship between the Oregon Plan and NMFS's efforts under the federal ESA. Done at Salem, Oregon, this $ day of & ~ 4 y , 1999. ha26 . ~ it& er, M. D. Suz adnd .~. ow& end DEPUTY SECR~ ARYOF - STATE
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Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 Conservation Plan Miller Lake Lamprey, Lampetra ( Entosphenus) minima April, 2005 Executive summary - The Miller Lake Lamprey was believed extinct after a chemical treatment in ...
Citation Citation
- Title:
- Conservation plan, Miller Lake lamprey, Lampetra (Entosphenus) minima : April, 2005
- Author:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Year:
- 2005
Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 Conservation Plan Miller Lake Lamprey, Lampetra ( Entosphenus) minima April, 2005 Executive summary - The Miller Lake Lamprey was believed extinct after a chemical treatment in 1958, targeting lamprey and tui chub, extirpated both from Miller Lake. The lamprey population was later recognized to be a distinct species, Lampetra minima ( Bond and Kan 1973). It was the smallest lamprey species in the world ( maturing at less than 4 in), and at that time was known only from Miller Lake, where it was extinct In 1992, a small lamprey caught in the Upper Williamson River was identified as a Miller Lake Lamprey, and subsequent investigations have identified six local populations of this lamprey in two small subdrainages of the Upper Klamath Basin. Management strategies to preserve this species include: conserving appropriate habitat conditions and availability within the natural range of the Miller Lake Lamprey, addressing potential impacts from stocking streams with hatchery fish, reducing entrainment, and establishing connectivity within and between local populations. A man- made barrier built in 1959 still exists on Miller Creek. Originally created to prevent the re- establishment of lamprey in Miller Lake after the chemical treatment, the barrier currently prevents natural dispersal of the Miller Creek population and re- colonization of both extensive habitat in upper Miller Creek and Miller Lake itself. Removal of the barrier, which is in disrepair but continues to exclude lamprey, is feasible and will eliminate the only man- made feature obstructing natural connectivity within the Miller Lake drainage, the species' type locality. This conservation plan is intended to provide guidance for management actions and conservation of the Miller Lake Lamprey. Introduction lhe Miller Lake Lamprey, Lampetra { Entosphenus) minima, is the worlds smallest predatory lamprey, reaching a size of only 3- 6", and is endemic to the Klamath Basin ( Bond and Kan 1973, Gill et al. 2003, Lorion et al. 2000). It is also one of the few species to have " recovered" from extinction. Miller Lake was chemically treated with toxaphene by the Oregon Game Commission on September 16,1958 to eliminate Tui Chub ( Siphateles bicolor) and a population of unidentified lamprey ( Gerlach 1958, Gerlach and Borovicka 1964). The lamprey in Miller Lake was later discovered to have been a unique species, apparently restricted in range to the Miller Lake drainage ( a small, disjunct tributary to the Upper Williamson River), and was scientifically described by Bond and Kan ( 1973) fifteen years subsequent to its presumed extirpation. Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 Although there appear to be no immediate threats to the Miller Lake Lamprey ( Kostow 2002), the species is of considerable conservation concern due to: 1) its relatively limited range in two small sub drainages of the Klamath Basin, 2) its continued absence in the ecologically unique setting of Miller Lake ( type locality) and 3) its evolutionary distinctiveness as the smallest known predatory lamprey in the world, maturing at less than four inches. Life History Distribution - The Miller Lake Lamprey is currently known from only two small sub- drainages of the Upper Klamath Basin, the upper Williamson River and the upper Sycan River above Sycan Marsh ( Lorion et al. 2000). The upper Williamson River contains four known populations ( Miller Creek, Jack Creek, Klamath Marsh, and mainstem Williamson River above the marsh). Miller Creek, which drains Miller Lake, is within the upper Williamson Watershed, but it goes sub- surface in the pumice soils and does not reach the Klamath Marsh or Williamson River. Miller Lake has presumably been isolated from the rest of the drainage since the eruption of Mt. Mazama ( Crater Lake) over 6,000 years ago. Jack Creek, a small northern tributary to the upper Williamson River, is also generally disjunct from the mainstem Williamson River due to low, intermittent surface flows in its lower reaches. The Upper Sycan drainage ( a northern tributary of the Sprague River) contains two principal populations, Long Creek drainage and the upper Sycan River drainage above Sycan Marsh. Lamprey have been documented in Coyote Creek and Shake Creek above Sycan Marsh by Nature Conservancy. Lamprey in Shake Creek have not been identified to species. Geographic Variability - In general, individuals from the modern Williamson and Sycan sub-drainages are morphologically similar ( Lorion et al. 2000). However, there are indications of geographic differences between populations. The Sycan populations exhibit significantly higher variability in the number of bicuspid posterial teeth, and the Miller Creek population generally tend to be darker on their ventral surface. Specimens from the original Miller Lake population ( pre- 1958) had, on average, fewer anterial teeth. They also tended to have larger eyes and oral disks relative to total length when compared to modern populations; however, this appears to be due to their slightly smaller size. The available genetic information also indicates that there are geographic differences in the mitochondrial genome ( mtDNA) between Sycan ( Sprague) and Williamson lamprey populations, with one haplotype found only in the Upper Sycan and another limited to lamprey populations in the Sprague River drainage ( Lorion et al. 2000). Continued genetic work on the Klamath lamprey fauna, examining additional genes, indicates that the population of lamprey in Miller Creek may be genetically different than both the other upper Williamson and Sycan populations ( Docker pers. com. 2004). Habitat - Miller Lake Lampreys currently occupy relatively cool, clear streams ( Gunckel and Reid 2004, Kan and Bond 1981, Lorion et al. 2000, Reid pers. com. 2004). Adults are generally associated with structural cover, including loose rocks and woody debris. In lower Miller Creek, where rocky habitat is limited, adult lampreys were consistently found in woody debris jams and even under seat boards from an old outhouse that had fallen into the creek ( Reid pers. obs. 1998). Ammocoetes ( a larval stage lasting about 5 years) live in the substrate and are generally Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 associated with depositional environments. In streams, ammocoetes are frequently found in silty backwater areas, low energy stream edges, and in pool eddies where leaf litter and other organics ( including adult lamprey carcasses) tend to accumulate. At night ammocoetes may move into the water column to disperse downstream or into more favorable habitat. In Miller Lake ammocoetes were found in organic detritus all along the shoreline but rarely in the extremely cold tributaries flowing into the lake ( Kan and Bond 1981). Recent extensive collections of Pacific Lamprey ammocoetes along the coast indicate that ammocoetes do not occupy otherwise apparently suitable sediments if the upper layer is poorly oxygenated ( Reid and Goodman pers. obs. 2004). Reproduction - Miller Lake Lampreys spawn in shallow redds in clean gravels and sand, which are moved out of the redd by lamprey sucking onto small rocks and actively moving them out of the way ( Markle pers. com. 2004, Reid pers. com. 2004). In streams, redds are generally made in shallow water, often at the tail of a pool or run, and are roughly 10 cm in diameter and a few centimeters deep. In Miller Lake, lampreys were observed spawning in water as deep as 20 feet ( Cochrun 1951b, Kan and Bond 1981). Males attach to the female's head and wrap around her body, aligning genitals and allowing fertilization of the eggs as they emerge. Eggs are heavier than water and are mixed into the bottom of the redd by spawning actions. Kan and Bond ( 1981) found that female lampreys from Miller Lake contained an average of about 600 eggs. Time to hatching is not known, but is probably on the order of a few weeks. Larvae ( ammocoetes) emerge at about 8 mm and move into fine sediments. Adults die after spawning. Feeding - Miller Lake Lampreys feed on fish only as adults. Ammocoetes have no eyes or teeth and are purely filter feeders, burrowing in the sediment and feeding on suspended microorganisms and algae. The ammocoete phase lasts about five years, during which time the ammocoetes grow to around 150 mm. After transformation, adults enter a predatory phase before spawning that generally lasts for less than a year ( from transformation in the summer/ fall to spawning in summer of the following year). Adults feed primarily on flesh that is gouged and rasped out of a small wound (<= 11 mm) under the sucking disk ( Cochran 1994, Kan and Bond 1981). Adults apparently show little selectivity for prey. The adult lampreys in Miller Lake historically fed on both tui chubs and available salmonids ( rainbow, brook and juvenile brown trout) in Miller Lake ( Kan and Bond 1981). They also scavenged dead tui chubs and trout, as well as cannibalizing other lampreys. In Miller Creek, most recent observations found occasional lamprey wounds on brook trout, which were the most abundant species in the creek, but it is probable that lampreys also feed on both rainbows and young brown trout in the creek ( S. Reid pers. obs. 1998). In Jack Creek lampreys feed on speckled dace, the only other fish present in the stream, and in the Upper Sycan they feed on both trout and dace. Unlike other predatory lampreys, but similar to non- feeding brook lampreys, adult Miller Lake Lampreys loose body length and mass between the time they transform and actual spawning, indicating that energetic needs and gonadal development are not compensated for by the amount of food they consume ( Hubbs 1971, Kan and Bond 1981, Lorion et al. 2000). Lamprey / Trout Interaction - Although there have been no direct studies of the ecological interaction between lampreys and trout in the Klamath Basin, it is notable that healthy trout and lamprey populations coexist throughout the basin. Lampreys certainly prey on trout, and both adult lampreys and ammocoetes may represent a significant food resource to piscivorous adult Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 trout. Native redband trout co- exist with much larger predatory lampreys (" Klamath Lake Lamprey", Lampetra { Entosphenus) sp., and Klamath River Lamprey, L. ( E.) similis) in Upper Klamath Lake. A large percentage of the trophy redband trout in Upper Klamath Lake, as well as both redband and brown trout in the Wood and Williamson Rivers, exhibit recent or healed lamprey scars. In smaller streams where Miller Lake Lampreys ( length 3- 6 in) co- exist with native and introduced trout ( redband, bull, brook and brown trout), there appears to be little impact to adult trout, and local fishermen are rarely even aware of the presence of the lamprey ( S. Reid, pers. comm. 2004, R. Smith, pers. comm. 2004). Surveys by USFWS and USFS in 1998- 1999 found that very few of the trout in Miller Creek, the Williamson or upper Sycan Rivers had scars, and during extensive snorkeling surveys, only a few trout were actually observed with lampreys attached ( S. Reid USFWS pers. com., 2004). Historical reports from Miller Lake prior to the extirpation of lampreys indicate that tui chubs were the principal prey, and dead tui chubs were often reported ( Cochrun 1951a, b, Gerlach 1958, Kan 1975, Kan and Bond 1981). Some cannibalism on other lampreys, as well as scavenging of dead fish carcasses, was also observed ( Kan and Bond 1981). Specific mortality of adult trout was not reported, although large trout were noted to have collections of scars and some mortality of fingerlings was observed. Recent observations of occasional fingerling trout mortality and much more frequent lethal predation on speckled dace (< 10 cm TL) in the Sycan River and Jack Creek, as well as the observation of apparently healthy adult trout with healed wounds, suggests that lethal predation on trout is generally limited to fingerlings ( Markle pers. com. 2004, Reid pers. com. 2004, Smith pers. com. 2004). It is not believed that predation on Miller Lake lamprey by piscivorous adult trout has been a threat to the sustainability of lamprey populations. These populations have co- evolved with native trout and appear to be productive enough to withstand some level of predation. The Jack Creek population is an exception. Jack Creek is believed to only support populations of Miller Lake lamprey and speckled dace. Since this lamprey population evolved absent predation from trout, there is a concern that an introduction of piscivorous adult trout could upset the ecological balance in Jack Creek and present a threat to both the lamprey and dace populations. For this reason, stocking of hatchery fish is prohibited by rule in Jack Creek or other streams containing Miller Lake lamprey. Miller Lake Fisheries - Miller Lake currently supports a recreational trout fishery of entirely introduced species. Miller Lake's one notable native species, the Miller Lake Lamprey, was thought extinct when the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the current Klamath Basin Fish Management Plan ( ODFW 1997). Today, Miller Lake provides a popular " catchable" and fingerling rainbow trout program, a trophy brown trout fishery, and an under- utilized kokanee population of small- sized individuals ( Smith pers. com. 2004). Due to the role of Miller Lake as a recreational fishery and concerns over the potential impact of lampreys on introduced trout populations in the lake, the history and status of Miller Lake fisheries are summarized below by species. Rainbow trout fingerlings ( 2- 4 inches) were planted in Miller Lake until 1948, when stocking was discontinued due to poor returns. At that time, the poor rainbow fishery was believed to have been due to lamprey predation and competition with resident tui chubs ( Cochrun 1950, Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 1951a). However, based on the reported poor performance of stocked fingerling rainbows post-treatment ( see below), without either lampreys or tui chubs, it appears that local habitat conditions, and not trophic competition with tui chub or parasitism by lamprey, were driving the poor rainbow population dynamics. Recent observations by ODFW biologists have indicated that while the rainbow trout in Miller Lake are surviving, growing and being harvested by anglers, survival and growth have been, at best, marginal ( Smith pers. com. 2004). Trapnet samples in Miller Lake have been very inefficient at capturing older age class rainbow trout so the average size of sampled trout is not representative of the fish that are available for angler harvest. While trapnet sets typically made in the fall are not particularly good indicators of the rainbow population in Miller Lake, Trapnet sampling of rainbow trout documented an average length of approximately 8 inches in 1988 and approximately 4 inches in 1997. The release of catchable- sized rainbow trout into Miller Lake was initiated in 2001 to supplement the ongoing fingerling stocking program. Brown trout were first introduced into Miller Lake in 1981 and have been stocked annually since. Although small numbers may have been present prior to treatment. Survival and growth of brown trout has been excellent ( Smith pers. com. 2004). Brown trout averaged approximately 17 inches in length in 1998 and approximately 16 inches in 2001. Larger fish captured in trap net sets exceed 10 pounds. Miller Lake was identified by sport- fishing author Denny Rickards as one of the top ten brown trout producing lakes in the western United States. Lampreys themselves, as well as their impaired prey, might in turn serve as additional prey for the large, highly piscivorous brown trout. Stocks of kokanee were introduced to Miller Lake from several states between 1964 and 1971 ( all post- treatment). Kokanee have been very successful reproducing and stocking has not been necessary since 1971. The average size of maturing adults have remained relatively small. Miller Lake is an oligotrophic lake with very low productivity ( Johnson et al. 1985). The length of maturing female kokanee ranged between 7.5- 10 inches between 1965 tol972, and the average size of kokanee females in 2001 was approximately 8 inches. Based on the relatively small length of maturing kokanee females, it appears that environmental conditions or interspecific competition with other trout are driving the kokanee population dynamics. Brook trout were stocked in Miller Lake from the 1930' s until 1948. Brook trout were present in Miller Creek and apparently survived in tributaries during the 1958 treatment, since seven brook trout ( 6- 14 in) were gill- netted from the lake in 1964, prior to introduction of 85,000 kokanee and 150,000 rainbow fingerlings. No brook trout are currently stocked into the lake or tributaries of the lake. A healthy self- sustaining population of brook trout is currently present in Miller Creek, below the lamprey barrier, where they have apparently coexisted with lampreys since both recovered from the 1958 treatment. Tui chubs were present in Miller Lake prior to the 1958 treatment. It is not known whether tui chub were a native or introduced population. However, based on the elevation and atypical tui chub habitat in the lake, it is believed to have been an un- authorized introduction, most probably as a baitfish. Trophic competition between tui chub and rainbow trout has been consistently demonstrated in several Oregon lakes, including Diamond Lake in Douglas County. Tui chub or " roach" problems in Miller Lake were identified by Ken Cochrun ( Fisheries Agent, Oregon State Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 game Comm.) in his 1950 and 1951 annual reports ( Cochrun 1950, 1951a). However, Mr. Cochrun felt that the " large population" of tui chub would be relatively easy to control compared to the lamprey and hence the need for the radical chemical treatment with toxaphene, which would eliminate both species, rather than rotenone, which would have limited effect on the lamprey ammocoetes in the substrate. In the 1950' s, as is still the case, considerable amount of time was expended by fishery districts controlling tui chub (" roach"), as noted in Mr. Cochrun's annual reports. Tui chubs were never restocked after the treatment and are no longer present in the Miller Lake drainage. One of the goals of this conservation plan for the Miller Lake Lamprey is to re- establish a lamprey population in Miller Lake itself. Historical reports from Miller Lake prior to the extirpation of lampreys nowhere mention specific mortality of adult trout, even when lamprey were abundant, although large trout were noted to have collections of scars ( see above - Lamprey/ Trout Interaction). Based on historical accounts and recent observations from the Upper Sycan drainages, mortality when observed has been on small fish (< 10cm TL). Observations from Miller Lake in the past and recent observations of trophy redband trout fisheries in Upper Klamath Lake indicate that little to no effect is experienced by the fish based on the occurrence of healed lamprey scars. Self- sustaining populations of brown and brook trout ( unstocked) currently coexist with lampreys in Miller Creek below the lamprey barrier. Were lamprey to become reestablished in Miller Lake, they would probably feed primarily on juvenile kokanee, which are abundant in the lake. Although lamprey predation on adult trout may result in some stress and condition loss, the principal effect on adult kokanee and trout fisheries in Miller Lake is likely to be aesthetic, with small round wounds (< l/ 2 in), or scars, on the side of fish. Future Recreational Fish Management The recreational trout and kokanee salmon fisheries in Miller Lake are an extremely valuable fish resource to local community and anglers. All efforts will be made by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to continue to offer angling recreation at current harvestable levels. In the unlikely event that the re- establishment of the Miller Lake lamprey adversely impacts the trout and kokanee population abundance, then additional fish stocking or other compatible management actions will be initiated as necessary to meet recreational fishery management objectives. Conservation Plan Note: Underlined, bold text in italics represents those portions of the conservation plan that are proposed to be adopted into Oregon Administrative Rule by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. Purpose This conservation plan is intended to provide guidance for management actions and conservation of the Miller Lake lamprey, Lampetra ( Entosphenus) minima. This is the first step in securing populations that currently exist in the Klamath Basin and in Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 determining their status, abundance, distribution, and life history needs. As new information on the lamprey becomes available it is expected that this document will be modified and updated to reflect the current state of our knowledge. Species Management Unit and Population Description The Miller Lake Lamprey species management unit is comprised of six documented populations and one uncertain population. They are: • Mainstem Upper Williamson River above Klamath Marsh • Miller Creek • Jack Creek • Sycan River above Sycan Marsh • Long Creek • Coyote Creek • Shake Creek ( lamprey present have not been identified to species) Desired Status The desired status of the Miller Lake lamprey is for the species to be distributed widely throughout its historic range, with populations robust enough to withstand stochastic environmental events, and with both the populations and their habitat secure from anthropogenic threats. Current Status The Miller Lake Lamprey is endemic to the Klamath Basin and was recently re- described ( Lorion et al 2000). It is currently known from two sub- drainages. The Williamson River sub- drainage includes populations in Miller Creek, Jack Creek, Klamath Marsh and the mainstem upper Williamson River. In the Sycan sub- drainage the lamprey exists in Long Creek and in the upper Sycan River above the Sycan Marsh. Information regarding the abundance and population structure of Miller Lake lamprey in these systems is not available, and only anecdotal information is available for the life history or habitat requirements of the species. For detailed information on the current information available for the species see Life History section. No immediate threats to the Miller Lake Lamprey are known to currently exist, except for the barrier to connectivity between Miller Creek and Miller Lake. Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 Management Strategies The short- and long- term management strategies for the Miller Lake Lamprey species management unit are: Short- term Strategy a) Re- establish connectivity to Miller Lake. Long- term Strategies b) Ensure appropriate habitat conditions and availability within the natural range of Miller Lake lamprey. c) Reduce entrainment or the potential for entrainment of adult and larval lampreys into water diversions. d) Reduce stranding or the potential for stranding of larval lampreys in dewatered segments of streams below water diversions. e) Maintain unobstructed opportunities, within and among populations for genetic exchange, natural dispersal or migration activities, and re- colonization of unoccupied portions of historical habitat. f) No hatchery fish shall be stocked in streams that support Miller Lake lamprey. Management strategies are those general conditions relevant to the conservation of the species that are considered essential to ensure its long- term survival within its natural range. Although there are many aspects of a species life- history and management that may play a role in the species' biology, the management strategies include those aspects that are currently considered to be both essential for its long- term survival and that are potentially at risk. Conservation Actions Conservation actions are those specific activities or projects that have been identified as appropriate for the realization of the above conservation goals. General - Due to the general lack of information about the life- history, habitat requirements, and distribution of the Miller Lake Lamprey, any studies which increase our understanding of the species will contribute to future conservation planning and should be supported. Habitat - At this time, the general habitat requirements of the Miller Lake Lamprey populations in the upper Williamson and upper Sycan drainages appear to be similar to those of the native trout populations, and habitat restoration or enhancement projects that benefit the trout populations should be beneficial to the lamprey as well. However, there may be specific differences between these species that should be considered in future projects as our understanding of the lamprey's life- history increases. Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 Entrainment - At this time there has been no evaluation of potential entrainment risks to the Miller Lake Lamprey. Unscreened or improperly screened irrigation diversions currently exist on the upper Sycan and upper Williamson River systems. Private irrigator participation into the screening program should continue to be encouraged and supported. Stranding - At this time there has been no evaluation of potential stranding risks to the Miller Lake Lamprey. Current water diversions reduce the stream flow in segments of the streams directly below the diversion point. Minimum stream flows or gradual ramping strategies should be encouraged where practicable. Connectivity - The Miller Lake Lamprey is not known to carry out extensive spawning migrations. However, due the tendency for ammocoetes to drift downstream during the multi- year larval stage, it is essential that local populations have free upstream passage opportunities during the period when adults are residing in the stream. The swimming characteristics and passage capabilities of trout ( for whom many fish ladders are designed) and lamprey are very different. Lamprey- friendly ladders or passage corridors should be encouraged in the design phase of new projects, and occupied lamprey streams should be evaluated for the presence of older fish ladders, as well as other artificial barriers. Re- establishment of the Miller Lake population - Miller Lake itself, the type locality for the species, remains the only known historical habitat from which the Miller Lake Lamprey is known to have been extirpated. It also represents both an ecologically unique habitat and a crucial component in the evolutionary legacy of the species. Following the extirpation of lampreys from Miller Lake in 1958, a lamprey barrier was constructed in Miller Creek to prevent recolonization of the lake from Miller Creek. The barrier remains in place today. Removal of this barrier should have a high priority in order to meet the conservation goals for the Miller Lake Lamprey and is discussed in more detail below. The barrier was constructed by the State of Oregon Game Commission in 1959 at the upstream extent of a short, high- gradient cascade in Miller Creek approximately 54 mile downstream from the outlet of Miller Lake and forest road 9772. It consists of a low stonework dam ( about 2 ft high) constructed of mortared native rocks, with a metal plate and lip bolted on top. The configuration is very effective as a man- made barrier to fish passage. However, the current condition of the concrete and rock structure is substantially deteriorated. A recent examination by ODFW, USFWS and USFS personnel indicates that the structure would be relatively easy to remove using hand tools without adverse instream impacts ( evaluated by R. Smith et al., September 2003). Recent baseline surveys ( August 2004) of lamprey ammocoetes in the Miller drainage indicate that they are apparently limited to less than two miles of low- gradient stream in lower Miller Creek ( Gunckel and Reid 2004). Allowing lampreys to re- establish a population above the cascade in Miller Creek and Miller Lake will aid in creating an additional buffer against stochastic events that could otherwise eradicate this geographically limited population. Additional surveys should be scheduled on a five- 10 Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 year basis to evaluate status of the population and the success of re- colonization efforts. Removal of the barrier should allow natural expansion of the population and recolonization of the lake from the Miller Creek population, which survived the original extirpation. Information Gaps 1) Life history - very little quantitative information is available on the life history and habitat requirements of either ammocoetes or adults with which to guide management decisions. 2) Distribution - current understanding of distribution is based on surveys in the 1990' s that primarily focused on the Williamson and Sprague River drainages. Other potential areas in the Klamath Basin outside these drainages have not been properly surveyed. 3) No specific population or fine- scale distributional surveys have been undertaken for any populations outside of the Miller Lake drainage. 4) Preliminary morphological and genetic information suggests that there are regional differences between the various populations of Miller Lake Lamprey in the Klamath Basin. However, the available information is not yet sufficient for making management decisions relative to population independence or uniqueness. Strategies to Address Gaps 1) A Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team has been formed to promote investigation, management and conservation of the Miller Lake Lamprey. This team currently consists of biologists from ODFW ( Roger Smith and Stephanie Gunckel), Oregon State University ( Douglas Markle), the Western Lamprey Project ( Stewart Reid), and the Great Lakes Inst. Environmental Research ( Margaret Docker - lamprey genetics). 2) ODFW will, where appropriate, incorporate lampreys into their fish survey protocols in the Klamath Basin and will seek to collaborate with other researchers carrying out lamprey surveys in the Basin. 3) ODFW and the Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team will promote the investigation of morphological and genetic information informative to resolving regional differences between the various populations of Miller Lake Lamprey. 11 Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Research Promote scientific studies of the Miller Lake Lamprey to aid in the conservation of the Monitoring Where appropriate, incorporate lampreys into fish survey protocols in the Klamath Basin and seek to collaborate with other researchers carrying out lamprey surveys in the Basin. Evaluation Periodically evaluate the status of Miller Lake lamprey and the success of the conservation plan management strategies. Research - Due to the paucity of available quantitative information on the distribution, life history, habitat requirements of either ammocoetes or adults, ODFW will promote scientific studies of the Miller Lake Lamprey to aid in the conservation of the species. Monitoring - ODFW, in collaboration with USFWS, has documented baseline distribution of the fish in Miller Creek with the lamprey barrier in place ( Gunckel and Reid 2004). Monitoring of the population will continue to evaluate upstream movement, distribution, abundance, and re- colonization of the lake through the cooperative effort of ODFW and the Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team. The ODFW and the Technical Management Team, will meet and discuss progress after the barrier has been removed, and the lampreys have had unobstructed passage to Miller Lake for five years. Adaptive Management a) A Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team shall be formed. b) The Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team shall meet periodically to review the success of the management actions identified in the Miller Lake Lamprey Conservation Plan and identify modifications to management actions that are needed to achieve the desired status for Miller Lake lamprey. No immediate threats to the Miller Lake Lamprey are known to currently exist, except for the barrier in Miller Creek. The Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team ( see under Strategies to Address Gaps) has been formed to promote investigation, management and conservation of the Miller Lake Lamprey. The team will meet periodically to evaluate current status and management strategies in light of new information. 12 Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 Current management action is proposed for removal of the Miller Creek Barrier. The lamprey population in Miller Creek will continue to be monitored by ODFW following the 2004 baseline surveys. After five years the Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team will evaluate the status of the Miller Creek population and the success of natural re- colonization of Miller Lake. If sufficient progress has not been made, then discussions regarding active re- introduction of lampreys to the lake will be initiated. Trigger for Plan Modification Substantial negative changes in the distribution or abundance of the Miller Lake lamprey, or the recognition of new threats to the species, shall prompt a review of the species management unit's status and all Miller Lake Lamprey Conservation Plan management strategies by the Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team. Appropriate modifications to the Miller Lake Lamprey Conservation Plan intended to better achieve the desired status identified in the Plan shall be proposed by the Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team. Reporting a) The Miller Lake Lamprey Technical Management Team shall periodically report on the status of Miller Lake lamprey and the effectiveness of the management strategies identified in the Miller lake Lamprey Conservation Plan. b) Annual Miller Lake Lamprey data collected and any reports on the status of Miller Lake Lamprey or evaluations of the Miller Lake Lamprey Conservation Plan shall be made available to the public. The staff of the ODFW's Klamath Watershed District and Native Fish Research Project will periodically report monitoring and research results through native fish conservation strategy stock status reviews. 13 Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 Citations Bond, C. E. and T. T. Kan. 1973. Lampetra ( Entosphenus) minima n. sp., a dwarfed parasitic lamprey from Oregon. Copeia 1973: 568- 574. Cochran, P. A. and R. E. Jenkins. 1994. Small fishes as hosts for parasitic lampreys. Copeia 1994: 499- 504. Cochrun, K. 1950. Annual Report - Fishery Division, Central Region, Klamath District: Miller Lake. Oregon State Game Commision. Cochrun, K. 1951a. Annual Report - Fishery Division, Central Region, Klamath District: Miller Lake. Oregon State Game Commision. Cochrun, K. 1951b. Letter to Dr. HJ. Rayner, Chief of Fisheries Operations, Oregon State Game Commission. 4 November 1951. Gerlach, A. 1958. Rehabilitation of Miller Lake, 1958. Report to files - Fishery Division, Central Region, Klamath District. Oregon State Game Commision. Gerlach, A. 1959. Annual Report - Fishery Division, Central Region, Klamath District: Miller Lake. Oregon State Game Commision. Gerlach, A. and R. Borovicka. 1964. State- wide fishery rehabilitation: Miller Lake and tributaries segment ( Completion Report F- 20- D- 11). Oregon State Game Commission. Gill, H. S., C. B. Renaud, F. Chapleau, R. L. Mayden and I. C. Potter. 2003. Phylogeny of living parasitic lampreys ( Petromyzontiformes) based on morphological data. Copeia 2003: 687- 703. Gunckel S. and S. Reid. 2004. Baseline survey of Miller Lake Lamprey ( Entosphenus minimus) ammocoete distribution in the Miller Lake subdrainage. Oregon Dept. Fish and Wildlife. Hubbs, C. L. 1971. Lampetra ( Entosphenus) lethophaga, new species, the nonparasitic derivative of the Pacific lamprey. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. 16: 125- 164. Johnson, D. M., R. R. Peterson, D. R. Lycan, J. W. Sweet, M. E. Neuhaus and A. L. Schaedel. 1985. Miller Lake In Atlas of Oregon Lakes. Oregon State Univ. Press. Corvallis, Oregon. Kan, T. T. 1975. Systematics, variation, distribution, and biology of lampreys of the genus Lampetra in Oregon. Doctoral Dissertation, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, Oregon. Kan, T. T. and C. E. Bond. 1981. Notes on the biology of the Miller Lake lamprey Lampetra { Entosphenus) minima. Northwest Sci. 55: 70- 74. 14 Public Review Draft 4- 27- 05 Kostow, K. 2002. Oregon lampreys: natural history, status and analysis of management issues. Info. Rept. 2002- 01, Fish Division, Oregon Dept. Fish and Wildlife. Lorion, CM., D. F. Markle, S. B. Reid and M. F. Docker. 2000. Redescription of the presumed-extinct Miller Lake Lamprey, Lampetra minima. Copeia 2000: 1019- 1028. Oregon Dept. Fish and Wildlife. 1997. Klamath River Basin, Oregon - Fish Management Plan, August 22, 1997. Personal Communications Docker, Margaret F. - Great Lakes Inst. Environmental Research, Univ. Windsor; 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4 Goodman, Damon - Fisheries Biology, Humboldt State Univ.; 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521- 8299 Markle, Doug F. - Dept. Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ.; 104 Nash Hall, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR 97331- 3803 Reid, Stewart B. - U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division; 6610 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603; Current address - Western Fishes, 2045 East Main, Ashland OR 97520 Smith, Roger C. - District Fish Biologist, Oregon Dept. Fish and Wildlife; 1850 Miller Island Road West, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 15
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR THE BULL TROUT RECOVERY PLAN Current Species Status The bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the coterminous United States was listed as threatened on November 1, 1999 (64 ...
Citation Citation
- Title:
- Bull Trout, Salvelinus Confluentus... Draft Recovery Plan, Chapter 1, Introduction...
- Author:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Year:
- 2003, 2008, 2005
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR THE BULL TROUT RECOVERY PLAN Current Species Status The bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the coterminous United States was listed as threatened on November 1, 1999 (64 FR 58910). Earlier rulemakings had listed distinct population segments of bull trout as threatened in the Columbia River, Klamath River, and Jarbidge River basins (63 FR 31647, 63 FR 42757, 64 FR 17110). Bull trout distribution, abundance, and habitat quality have declined rangewide. Several local extirpations have been documented, beginning in the 1950fs. Bull trout continue to occur the Klamath River, Columbia River, Jarbidge River, St. Mary-Belly River, and Coastal-Puget Sound, in the states of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors Bull trout have more specific habitat requirements than most other salmonids. Habitat components that influence bull trout distribution and abundance include water temperature, cover, channel form and stability, substrate for spawning and rearing, and migratory corridors. Bull trout are found in colder streams and require colder water than most other salmonids for incubation, juvenile rearing, and spawning. Spawning and rearing areas are often associated with cold-water springs, groundwater infiltration, and/or the coldest streams in a watershed. Throughout their lives, bull trout require complex forms of cover, including large woody debris, undercut banks, boulders, and pools. Alterations in channel form and reductions in channel stability result in habitat degradation and reduced survival of bull trout eggs and juveniles. Channel alterations may reduce the abundance and quality of side channels, stream margins, and pools, which are areas bull trout frequently inhabit. For spawning and early rearing bull trout require loose, clean gravel relatively free of fine sediments. Because bull trout have a relatively long incubation and development period within spawning gravel (greater than 200 days), transport of bedload in unstable channels may kill young bull trout. Bull trout use migratory corridors to move from spawning and rearing habitats to foraging and overwintering habitats and back. Different habitats provide bull trout with diverse resources, and migratory corridors allow local populations to connect, which may increase the potential for gene flow and support or refounding of populations. Declines in bull trout distribution and abundance are the results of combined effects of the following: habitat degradation and fragmentation, the blockage of migratory corridors, poor water quality, angler harvest and poaching, entrainment (process by which aquatic organisms are pulled through a diversion structure or other device) into diversion channels and dams, and introduced iv normative species. Specific land and water management activities that continue to depress bull trout populations and degrade habitat include dams and other diversion structures, forest management practices, livestock grazing, agriculture, road construction and maintenance, mining, and urban and rural development. Some threats to bull trout are the continuing effects of past land management activities. Organization and Development of the Recovery Plan Because bull trout in the coterminous United States are widely distributed within a large area, the recovery plan is organized into multiple chapters. This introductory chapter (Chapter 1) describes our overall recovery strategy for the species, defines recovery, and identifies recovery actions applicable for all listed bull trout in the coterminous United States. Each successive chapter focuses on bull trout in specific geographic areas (recovery units), and describes conditions, defines recovery criteria, and identifies specific recovery actions for the recovery unit. Recovery Objectives The goal of this recovery plan is to describe the actions needed to achieve the recovery of bull trout, that is, to ensure the long-term persistence of self-sustaining, complex interacting groups (or multiple local populations that may have overlapping spawning and rearing areas) of bull trout distributed across the species' native range. Recovery of bull trout will require reducing threats to the long-term persistence of populations, maintaining multiple interconnected populations of bull trout across the diverse habitats of their native range, and preserving the diversity of bull trout life-history strategies (e.g., resident or migratory forms, emigration age, spawning frequency, local habitat adaptations). To recover bull trout, the following four objectives have been identified: ? Maintain current distribution of bull trout within core areas as described in recovery unit chapters and restore distribution where recommended in recovery unit chapters. ? Maintain stable or increasing trend in abundance of bull trout. ? Restore and maintain suitable habitat conditions for all bull trout life history stages and strategies. ? Conserve genetic diversity and provide opportunity for genetic exchange. ? These objectives apply to bull trout in all recovery units. Additional objectives may be necessary to achieve recovery in some recovery units and will be identified in the respective recovery unit chapters. Recovery Criteria Criteria are established to assess whether recovery objectives are being achieved. Criteria specific to each recovery unit are defined in each recovery unit chapter. Individual chapters may contain criteria for assessing the status of bull trout and alleviation of threats that are unique to one or several recovery units. However, every recovery unit chapter will contain criteria that address the following characteristics: ? The distribution of bull trout in identified and potential local populations in all core areas within the recovery unit. ? The estimated abundance of adult bull trout within core areas in the recovery unit, expressed as either a point estimate or a range of individuals. ? The presence of stable or increasing trends for adult bull trout abundance in the recovery unit. ? The restoration of passage at specific barriers identified as inhibiting recovery. We expect recovery of bull trout to be a dynamic process occurring over time. The recovery objectives are based on our current knowledge and may be refined as more information becomes available. Some local populations of bull trout, and possibly core area populations, may be extirpated even though recovery actions are being implemented. If reestablishment of recently extirpated populations is not feasible or practical, recovery criteria for a given recovery unit will be revised on a case-by-case basis. Meeting the four recovery criteria is not intended to be precluded where localized extirpations of bull trout are offset by sufficiently strong improvements in other areas of a recovery unit in meeting the four recovery objectives. The determination of whether a distinct population segment of bull trout is recovered will rely on an analysis of the overall status of the species, threats to the species, and the adequacy of existing regulatory and conservation mechanisms. For example, it may be possible for the Columbia River Distinct Population Segment, which has 22 recovery units, to be recovered prior to all recovery unit criteria being met in all recovery units. Success in accomplishing the recovery VI criteria will be reviewed and considered for the impacts both within a recovery unit and throughout a distinct population segment. Actions Needed Specific tasks falling within the following seven categories will be necessary to initiate recovery within all recovery units: ? Protect, restore, and maintain suitable habitat conditions for bull trout. ? Prevent and reduce negative effects of normative fishes and other normative taxa on bull trout. ? Establish fisheries management goals and objectives compatible with bull trout recovery and implement practices to achieve goals. ? Characterize, conserve, and monitor genetic diversity and gene flow among local populations of bull trout. ? Conduct research and monitoring to implement and evaluate bull trout recovery activities, consistent with an adaptive management approach using feedback from implemented, site-specific recovery tasks. ? Use all available conservation programs and regulations to protect and conserve bull trout and bull trout habitats. ? Assess the implementation of bull trout recovery by recovery units and revise recovery unit plans based on evaluations. Recovery Priority Number The recovery priority number for bull trout in the coterminous United States is 9C, on a scale of 1 to 18, indicating that (1) taxonomically, these populations are distinct population segments of a species, (2) the five populations are subject to a moderate degree of threat(s), (3) the recovery potential is high, and (4) the degree of potential conflict during recovery is high. vrr Estimated Cost of Recovery The total cost estimate of recovery for bull trout in the coterminous United States is presented in the individual recovery unit chapters. The costs presented in each chapter are attributed to bull trout conservation but other species will also benefit. Date of Recovery Expected time to achieve recovery varies among recovery units because of differences in bull trout status, factors affecting bull trout, implementation and effectiveness of recovery tasks, and responses to recovery tasks. Achieving bull trout recovery in all recovery units will be a complex process that will likely take 25 years or more. vin
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KLAMATH RIVER RECOVERY UNIT CHAPTER OF THE BULL TROUT RECOVERY PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CURRENT SPECIES STATUS Klamath River bull trout were listed as a distinct population segment ...
Citation Citation
- Title:
- Bull Trout, Salvelinus Confluentus... Draft Recovery Plan, Chapter 2, Klamath River Recovery Unit...U.S. Department Of The Interior
- Year:
- 2008, 2005
KLAMATH RIVER RECOVERY UNIT CHAPTER OF THE BULL TROUT RECOVERY PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CURRENT SPECIES STATUS Klamath River bull trout were listed as a distinct population segment in 1998 (63 FR 31647) because they are physically isolated from other bull trout by the Pacific Ocean and several small mountain ranges in central Oregon. Recovery of bull trout in the Klamath River Recovery Unit, which includes three core areas and nine currently identified local populations, will require cooperation from Federal, State, and local agencies, and Tribal and private entities. Within the Klamath River Recovery Unit, abundance has been severely reduced and remaining populations are fragmented. HABITAT REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITING FACTORS Watershed disruption has played a major role in the decline of bull trout in the Klamath River basin. The effects of historical land use on fish habitat in the larger tributaries and mainstem rivers of the Klamath River basin have been profound. Channelization, water withdrawals, removal of streamside vegetation, and other disturbances have altered the aquatic environment by elevating water temperatures, reducing water quantity and quality, and increasing sedimentation. Changes in or disruptions to watershed processes that influence characteristics of stream channels have also influenced the dynamics and persistence of bull trout populations. Klamath River basin bull trout are threatened by habitat degradation, past and present land use management practices, agricultural water diversions, and competition or hybridization from normative brown and brook trout. As a result of past land and resource management practices, bull trout populations in the Klamath River Recovery Unit are small, disjunct, and face a high risk of extirpation. IV RECOVERY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the bull trout recovery plan is to ensure the long-term persistence of self-sustaining, complex interacting groups of bull trout distributed across the species range, so that the species can be delisted. In order to recover bull trout in the Klamath River, the following objectives need to be met: ? Maintain current distribution of bull trout and restore distribution in previously occupied areas within the Klamath River Recovery Unit, as noted in Appendix A. ? Maintain stable or increasing trends in abundance of bull trout within the Klamath River. This objective includes the expression of all life history strategies including resident, fluvial, and adfluvial forms in the Upper Klamath Lake core area and resident and fluvial forms in the Sycan River and Upper Sprague River core areas. ? Restore and maintain suitable habitat conditions for all bull trout life history stages and strategies. In core areas and migration corridors, stable or upward trends in habitat quality are achieved through landscape-level adjustments in land management strategies designed to maintain and/or enhance structural and functional attributes of upslope, riparian, and fluvial systems. ? Conserve genetic diversity and provide opportunity for interchange of genetic material among appropriate core populations. RECOVERY CRITERIA Recovery criteria for the Klamath River Recovery Unit reflect the stated objectives and consideration of population and habitat characteristics within the recovery unit. Using four population and habitat elements, the Klamath River Recovery Unit Team categorized bull trout into three groups of relative risk: diminished, intermediate, and increased. Team members evaluated bull trout under current and potential recovered conditions based on the number of local populations, adult abundance, population trends and variability, and connectivity of the system. These elements were derived from the best scientific information available concerning bull trout population and habitat requirements. Evaluation of these elements under a recovered condition assumed that actions identified within this chapter had been implemented. 1. Distribution criteria will be met when current distribution of bull trout in the 12 local populations is maintained and distribution is expanded by establishing bull trout in areas identified as suitable for potential local populations. The number of existing local populations by core area are as follows: Upper Klamath Lake, 3; Sycan River, 2; and Upper Sprague River, 7. Achieving criterion 1 entails maintaining existing local populations and establishing additional potential local populations in all core areas in the recovery unit to maintain current and recovered distribution. To achieve criterion 1 and to ensure a core area population of no fewer than 100 adult bull trout, establishing at least 5 to 7 local populations in the Klamath Lake core area among 15 potential local populations (2 to 5 new local populations), at least 5 to 7 local populations in the Sycan River core area from among 15 potential local populations (3 to 5 new local populations), and at least 10 to 12 local populations in the Upper Sprague River core area from among 25 potential local populations (3 to 5 new local populations) is necessary. 2. Abundance criteria will be met when the estimated number of adult bull trout is at least 8,250 individuals distributed among the Upper Klamath Lake, Sycan River, and Upper Sprague River core areas, based on 10 years of monitoring data. 3. Trend criteria will be met when adult bull trout exhibit stable or increasing trends in abundance in the Upper Klamath Lake, Sycan River, and Upper Sprague River core areas, based on 2 generations (10 years) of monitoring data. VI 4. Connectivity criteria will be met when specific barriers to bull trout migration in the Klamath River Recovery Unit have been addressed. In the Klamath River Recovery Unit, this objective means addressing passage: 1) existing culverts that impede passage should be replaced, including those on Threemile Creek at U.S. Forest Service Road 110 crossing, Brownsworth Creek at U.S. Forest Service Road 34 crossing, and Brownsworth Creek both 0.75 mile and 1.25 miles above U.S. Forest Service Road 34; the culvert 0.25 mile below U.S. Forest Service Road 34 (to prevent repeated washout); the large-diameter culvert at the Boulder Creek road crossing; culverts in the upper Sycan River watershed that are identified in the Fremont National Forest inventory; and several in the North Fork Sprague River drainage, namely, on North Fork Sprague River (2), Boulder Creek (1), Dead Cow Creek (1), and Sheepy Creek (1); 2) fish passage structures should be installed at water diversions on bull trout streams, and barriers should be removed, including on Cherry, Sevenmile, Sun, and Threemile Creeks; 3) fish screens should be installed to prevent fish from entering diversion canals or pipes, including on Long, Deming, Threemile, Sun, Sevenmile, and Cherry Creeks; 4) manmade barriers and entrainment should be evaluated and remedied to promote migratory bull trout; priority watersheds include Threemile, Long, Deming, Sevenmile, Cherry, Sun, and Long Creeks. The Klamath River Recovery Unit team expects that the recovery process will be dynamic and will be refined as more information becomes available. Future adaptive management will play a major role in recovery implementation and refinement of recovery criteria. The recovery unit criteria listed above will be used to determine when the Klamath River Recovery Unit is fully contributing to recovery of the Klamath River population segment. vn ACTIONS NEEDED Recovery for bull trout will entail reducing threats to the long-term persistence of populations and their habitats, ensuring the security of multiple interacting groups of bull trout, and providing habitat and access to conditions that allow for the expression of various life history forms. The seven categories are listed in Chapter 1; tasks specific to this recovery unit are provided in this chapter. ESTIMATED COST OF RECOVERY Total cost of bull trout recovery in the Klamath River Recovery Unit is estimated at about $26 million spread over a 25-year recovery period. Successful recovery of bull trout in the recovery unit is contingent on removing threats from nonnative species, eliminating barriers to fish movement, and improving habitat conditions within the Klamath River basin. Total cost includes estimates of expenditures by local, Tribal, State, and Federal governments and by private business and individuals. Cost estimates are not provided for tasks which are normal agency responsibilities under existing authorities. The estimated costs are attributed to bull trout conservation, but other aquatic species will also benefit. ESTIMATED DATE OF RECOVERY Time required to achieve recovery depends on bull trout status, factors affecting bull trout, implementation and effectiveness of recovery tasks, and responses to recovery tasks. A tremendous amount of work will be required to restore impaired habitat, reconnect habitat, and eliminate threats from nonnative species. Three to five bull trout generations (15 to 25 years), or possibly longer, may be necessary before identified threats to the species can be significantly reduced and bull trout can be considered eligible for delisting. vin
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Quigley, Thomas M.; Arbelbide, Sylvia J., tech. eds. 1997. An assessment of ecosystem components in the interior Columbia basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins: volume 1. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-405. ...
Citation Citation
- Title:
- An assessment of ecosystem components in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins [volume 1]
- Author:
- Quigley, Thomas Milton; Arbelbide, S. J. (Sylvia J.)
- Year:
- 1997, 2008, 2005
Quigley, Thomas M.; Arbelbide, Sylvia J., tech. eds. 1997. An assessment of ecosystem components in the interior Columbia basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins: volume 1. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-405. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 4 vol. (Quigley, Thomas M., tech. ed.; The Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project: Scientific Assessment). The Assessment of Ecosystem Components in the Interior Columbia Basin and Portions of the Klamath and Great Basins provides detailed information about current conditions and trends for the biophysical and social systems within the Basin. This information can be used by land managers to develop broad land management goals and priorities and provides the context for decisions specific to smaller geographic areas. The Assessment area covers about 8 percent of the U.S. land area, 24 percent of the Nation's National Forest System lands, 10 percent of the Nation's BLM-administered lands, and contains about 1.2 percent of the Nation's population. This results in a population density that is less than one-sixth of the U.S. average. The area has experienced recent, rapid population growth and generally has a robust, diverse economy. As compared to historic conditions, the terrestrial, aquatic, forest, and rangeland systems have undergone dramatic changes. Forested landscapes are more susceptible to fire, insect, and disease than under historic conditions. Rangelands are highly susceptible to noxious weed invasion. The disturbance regimes that operate on forest and rangeland have changed substantially, with lethal fires dominating many areas where non-lethal fires were the norm historically. Terrestrial habitats that have experienced the greatest decline include the native grassland, native shrubland, and old forest structures. There are areas within the Assessment area that have higher diversity than others. Aquatic systems are now more fragmented and isolated than historically and the introduction of non-native fish species has complicated current status of native fishes. Core habitat and population centers do remain as building blocks for restoration. Social and economic conditions within the Assessment area vary considerably, depending to a great extent on population, diversity of employment opportunities, and changing demographics. Those counties with the higher population densities and greater diversity of employment opportunities are generally more resilient to economic downturns. This Assessment provides a rich information base, including over 170 mapped themes with associated models and databases, from which future decisions can benefit. Keywords: Columbia basin, biophysical systems, social systems, ecosystem.
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16. [Image] Annual program summary 2004
Annual Program Summary and Monitoring Report - FY2004 Table of Contents ANNUAL PROGRAM SUMMARY 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Summary of Accomplishments 3 3.0 Budget and Employment 6 4.0 Land ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Annual program summary 2004
- Author:
- United States. Bureau of Land Management. Klamath Falls Resource Area Office District
- Year:
- 2005
Annual Program Summary and Monitoring Report - FY2004 Table of Contents ANNUAL PROGRAM SUMMARY 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Summary of Accomplishments 3 3.0 Budget and Employment 6 4.0 Land Use Allocations within the Klamath Falls Resource Area 6 Late-Successional Reserves and Assessments 8 Matrix 8 5.0 Aquatic Conservation Strategy 9 Riparian Reserves 9 Watershed Analysis and Key Watersheds 9 Watershed Restoration 10 Roads 10 Riparian Habitat Enhancement 10 Stream Restoration 11 6.0 Air Quality 11 7.0 Water and Soils 11 Water - Project Implementation 11 Soils - Project Implementation 12 Water - Inventory and Monitoring 12 Soils -Inventory and Monitoring 13 State-listed Clean Water Act 303d Streams 13 RMP Best Management Practices 13 8.0 Terrestrial Species and Habitat Management 14 Survey and Manage Species 14 Threatened/Endangered Species 14 Northern Spotted Owl 14 Bald Eagle 14 Special Status Species-Animals 15 Peregrine Falcon 15 Yellow Rails 15 Bats 15 Northern Goshawk 15 Oregon Spotted Frog 15 Sage Grouse 16 vii Klamath Falls Resource Area Mollusks 16 Great Gray Owl 16 Special Status Species - Plants 16 Other Species of Concern 17 Neotropical Migratory Landbirds 17 Terrestrial Habitat Management 17 Nest Sites, Activity Centers, and Rookeries 17 Big Game Habitat 19 9.0 Aquatic Species and Habitat Management 19 Threatened/Endangered Species 19 Lost River and Shortnose Suckers 19 Bull Trout 20 Endangered Species Act Consultation 20 Aquatic Habitat Restoration 20 Klamath River Hydroelectric Facility Relicensing 21 10.0 Pathogen, Disease, and Pest Management 21 11.0 Weed Management 22 Inventories 22 Control 22 12.0 Special Areas/Management 23 Wild and Scenic Rivers 23 Wilderness 23 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 23 Tunnel Creek Special Botanical Area 24 Klamath Canyon ACEC 24 Old Baldy Research Natural Area 24 Wood River Wetland ACEC 24 Environmental Education Areas 25 13.0 Cultural Resources 26 14.0 Visual Resources 26 15.0 Rural Interface Areas 26 16.0 Socioeconomic Conditions 27 Jobs-in-the-Woods 28 17.0 Environmental Justice 30 18.0 Recreation 30 Recreation Pipeline Restoration Funds 30 Recreation Projects 31 viii Annual Program Summary and Monitoring Report - FY2004 Recreation Fee Demonstration Project 31 Status of Recreation Plans 32 Volunteer Activities 32 Tourism 33 19.0 Forest Management and Timber Resources 33 Silvicultural Prescriptions 33 Timber Sale Planning 34 FY 2004 Timber Sale Accomplishments 34 Status of Sold & Awarded Klamath Falls RMP Timber Sales 35 Forest Development Activities 39 Stewardship Contracting 42 20.0 Special Forest Products 42 21.0 Energy and Minerals 43 22.0 Land Tenure Adjustments 44 23.0 Access and Rights-of-Way 45 24.0 Transportation and Roads 45 25.0 Hazardous Materials 46 26.0 Wildfire/Fuels Management 46 27.0 Law Enforcement 47 28.0 Rangeland Resources / Grazing Management 48 Fiscal Year 2004 Summary 49 Fiscal Years 1996-2004 Summary 50 Wild Horse Management 51 29.0 Cadastral Survey 52 30.0 Education and Outreach 52 31.0 Research 56 32.0 Coordination and Consultation 58 Federal Agencies 58 State of Oregon 58 Counties 59 Cities 59 Tribes 59 IX Klamath Falls Resource Area Watershed Councils 59 Chartered Advisory Groups 60 Other Local Coordination and Cooperation 61 33.0 National Environmental Policy Act Analysis and Documentation 63 NEPA documentation 63 Klamath Falls Resource Area Environmental Documentation 63 Protests and Appeals 63 34.0 Plan Evaluations 64 Third Year Evaluation 64 Eighth Year Evaluation 64 35.0 Plan Maintenance 65 36.0 Plan Amendments 72 Plan Revision 76 MONITORING REPORT Introduction 79 All Land Use Allocations 83 Late-Successional Reserves 86 Matrix 88 Riparian Reserves 92 Air Quality 95 Water and Soils 96 Terrestrial Species Habitat 101 Special Status and SEIS Special Attention Species Habitat 106 Aquatic Species Habitat 110 Noxious Weeds 112 Special Areas 113 Wild and Scenic Rivers 115 Cultural Resources Including American Indian Values 116 Visual Resources 118 Rural Interface Areas 119 Socioeconomic Conditions 120 Recreation 121 Forest Management and Timber Resources 121 Special Forest/Natural Products 122 Wildfire / Fuels Management 124 Rangeland Resources / Grazing Management 124 GLOSSARY/ACRONYMS 129 Annual Program Summary and Monitoring Report - FY2004 List of Tables Table 2.1 - Summary of Resource Management Actions, Directions, and Accomplishments 4 Table 2.1 - Summary of Resource Management Actions, Directions, and Accomplishments (Cont.).5 Table 3.1 - Resource Area Budget Fiscal Year 2004 6 Table 4.1 - Land Use Allocation 8 Table 5.1 - Watershed Analysis Schedule 10 Table 5.2-Watershed Analysis Status Fiscal Year 2004 10 Table 6.1 -Air Quality Management Fiscal Year 2004 11 Table 7.1 - Watershed Activity Fiscal Year 2004 12 Table 7.2 - KFRA Clean Water Act 303(d) Water Bodies 13 Table 8.1a - BLM /KFRA Special Status Species Designations Summary -Animals 18 Table 8.1b - BLM (KFRA) Special Status Species Designations Summary - Plants 18 Table 8.2 - Terrestrial Habitat Monitoring Fiscal Year 2004 18 Table 8.3 - Monitoring for Nest Sites, Activity Centers, Rookeries, Special Habitats 18 Table 9.1 -Aquatic Habitat/ Fish Passage Management Fiscal Year 2004 19 Table 11.1 - Managed Weed Species 20 Table 12.1 - Special Management Areas 25 Table 13.1 - Cultural Resources Management Fiscal Year 2004 26 Table 16.1 - Total Payments in Lieu of Taxes and Acres by County for FY 2004 28 Table 16.2 - O&C Payments To Counties FY 2004 29 Table 16.3 - Jobs in the Woods Program Fiscal Year 2004 29 Table 18.1 - Recreation Statistics Fiscal Year 2004 30 Table 18.2 - Recreation Fee Demonstration Project Fiscal Year 2004 32 Table 19.1 - Klamath Falls Timber Sale Volume (MBF) and Acres FY 2004 35 Table 19.2-Timber Volume Sold in FY 2004 36 Table 19.3 - Harvest Activity for FY 2004 36 Table 19.4 - Planned Timber Sales (FY 2005 & 2006) 36 Table 19.5 - Status of Sold and Awarded Timber Sales 37 Table 19.6 - Summary of Volume Sold 38 Table 19.7 -Volume and Acres Sold by Allocations 38 Table 19.8 - Timber Sales Sold by Harvest Types 38 Table 19.9 - Timber Sale Acres Sold by Age Class 39 Table 19.10 - Forest Development Activities 41 Table 20.1 - Special Forest Products Fiscal Year 2004 43 Table 21.1 - Energy and Minerals Management Fiscal Year 2004 44 Table 22.1 - Land Use Tenure Adjustments Fiscal Year 2004 45 Table 24.1 - Roads and Transportation Management Fiscal Year 2004 45 Table 25.1 - Hazardous Materials Management Fiscal Year 2004 46 Table 26.1 - Fire and Fuels Management Fiscal Year 2004 46 Table 27.1 - Law Enforcement Fiscal Year 2004 47 Table 28.1 - Range Resources Management Fiscal Year 2004 48 Table 29.1 -Cadastral Survey Summary Fiscal Year 2004 52 Table 30.1 - Environmental Education/Outreach Program Summary FY2004 54 Table 30.2 - Environmental Education/Outreach Special Events FY2004 55 Table 30.3 - Environmental Education/Outreach Programs & Tours FY 2004 56 Table 32.1 - Challenge Cost Share Fiscal Year 2004 62 XI Klamath Falls Resource Area Table 33.1 - NEPA Analyses and Documentation Fiscal Year 2004 64 Table 36.1 - Redefined Survey and Manage Categories 74 Table M.I - Projects Monitored FY 2004 80 Table M-2 - FY 2004 Implementation Monitoring Selection Categories 81 Table M-3 - Comparison of Projected vs. Actual Harvest Volume (MMBF)/Acres to Date 82 Table M-4 - Timber Sale Volume and Acres Offered (Entire Resource Area) 83 Table M-5 - Timber Sale Monitoring Summary 89 Table M-6 - Post Treatment Stand Characteristics for West Grenada Timber Sale - FY 2004 90 Table M-7 - Status of Watershed Analysis 98 List of Figures Figure 1 - General Location Map 2 Figure 2 - KFRA Land Allocations 7 Xll
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17. [Image] Klamath Falls Resource Area resource management plan and environmental impact statement : final : Volume 3
Proposed resource management plan/final environmental impact statement for the Klamath Falls Resource AreaCitation Citation
- Title:
- Klamath Falls Resource Area resource management plan and environmental impact statement : final : Volume 3
- Author:
- United States. Bureau of Land Management. Klamath Falls Resource Area Office
- Year:
- 1994, 2005
Proposed resource management plan/final environmental impact statement for the Klamath Falls Resource Area
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18. [Image] Preparation plan for the Klamath River management plan and environmental impact statement
"October 2001"; "This planning effort is being undertaken because the current recreation plan is outdated, almost 20 years old . . . At the conclusion of this planning effort there will be one [Environmental ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Preparation plan for the Klamath River management plan and environmental impact statement
- Author:
- United States. Bureau of Land Management. Klamath Falls Resource Area Office
- Year:
- 2001, 2005
"October 2001"; "This planning effort is being undertaken because the current recreation plan is outdated, almost 20 years old . . . At the conclusion of this planning effort there will be one [Environmental Impact Statement] and management plan that will guide and coordinate all land management activities along the river. This EIS could amend both the BLM Redding (Califonia) and the Klamath Falls (Oregon) Resource Management Plans."- Introduction.; This document appears to be a planning document to organize the process of completing later documents, including the Draft Upper Klamath River management plan environmental impact statement and resource management plan amendments (2003) which can be found at http://klamathwaterlib.oit.edu/cgi-bin/viewer.exe?CISOROOT=/WaterLibContent&CISOPTR=110
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Only portions of issues of The Water Report are available in the Klamath Waters Digital Library. See the full report at http://www.thewaterreport.com/.
Citation Citation
- Title:
- The Water Report - The ESA, salmon, and Western water law
- Author:
- Envirotech Publications
- Year:
- 2004, 2008, 2006
Only portions of issues of The Water Report are available in the Klamath Waters Digital Library. See the full report at http://www.thewaterreport.com/.
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"February 1994." ; "Much of this document was taken directly from, or based on, the Bureau of Land Management's earlier studies of the Klamath River: the Final eligibility and suitability report for the ...
Citation Citation
- Title:
- Klamath wild and scenic river eligibility report and environmental assessment : Klamath River, Oregon : draft
- Author:
- United States. National Park Service. Pacific Northwest Region
- Year:
- 1994, 2004
"February 1994." ; "Much of this document was taken directly from, or based on, the Bureau of Land Management's earlier studies of the Klamath River: the Final eligibility and suitability report for the Upper Klamath wild and scenic river study and the Draft Klamath Falls area resource management plan and environmental impact statement. This assessment also borrowed heavily from the Final environmental impact statement for the Salt Caves hydroelectric project prepared by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission."-p.i ; "State of Oregon application, Section 2(a)(ii) National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act."