Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 3, March 1, 2024
(1)
This rule describes the measurable criteria that define the minimum
conservation goal for wild lower Columbia River coho. Upon meeting these
criteria, ODFW shall be biologically justified to propose that species be
removed from Oregon's endangered species list.
(2) For the purpose of evaluating the
biological status of lower Columbia River wild coho with respect to the
criteria described in this rule, the following geographic areas where wild coho
presently exist or are believed likely to exist in the future are defined as
the recovery population boundaries.
(a) The
Astoria population occurs in Youngs Bay tributaries and all Columbia
tributaries upstream to and including Gnat Creek.
(b) The Clatskanie population occurs in
Columbia River tributaries upstream of Gnat Creek to and including the
Clatskanie River basin.
(c) The
Scappoose population occurs in Columbia River tributaries upstream of the
Clatskanie River to the mouth of the Willamette River.
(d) The Clackamas population occurs in the
Clackamas River basin plus Columbia River tributaries to the Willamette River
downstream of Willamette Falls.
(e)
The Sandy population occurs in the Sandy basin plus Columbia River tributaries
downstream to the mouth of the Willamette River.
(f) The Bonneville population occurs in
Columbia River tributaries upstream of the Sandy River to and including the
Hood River basin.
(3) To
meet the minimum conservation goal, lower Columbia River coho must be found to
meet all of the following biological criteria:
(a) Population Distribution and Structure --
Self-sustaining wild populations are present in the Sandy and Clackamas basins.
In addition, at least two of the following populations (Astoria, Clatskanie,
Scappoose, or Bonneville) are self-sustaining.
(b) Diversity -- Naturally reproducing wild
coho are present in 65% of the named streams that historically contained coho.
Human activities impose only minor artificial selection pressures on the
phenotypic character of the wild populations. The ongoing impact of hatchery
fish on the genetic character, evolutionary processes, and innate productivity
of naturally reproducing populations is minor.
(c) Abundance -- For three consecutive years,
the number of wild spawners is at least 50% of the level necessary to produce
maximum smolt recruits (full seeding) for the Sandy, Clackamas, and in at least
two of the following populations: Astoria, Clatskanie, Scappoose, and
Bonneville.
(d) Connectivity -- No
artificial barriers exist that prevent the dispersing of wild coho between
naturally reproducing populations.
(e) Persistence and Resilience -- The
probability of extinction in 36 years is less than 5% for the Sandy and
Clackamas populations plus two of the following populations: Astoria,
Clatskanie, Scappoose, and Bonneville.
Stat. Auth.: ORS
496.004,
496.171,
496.172,
496.182,
496.192 &
498.026
Stats. Implemented: ORS
496.004,
496.171,
496.172,
496.182,
496.192 &
498.026
