NOAA Fisheries recently announced a proposal to designate critical habitat for lower Columbia River coho salmon and Puget Sound steelhead. Both species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Areas proposed for designation for lower Columbia River coho include approximately 2,288 miles (3,681 km) of freshwater and estuarine habitat in Oregon and Washington.
Areas proposed for designation for Puget Sound steelhead include approximately 1,880 miles (3,026 km) of freshwater and estuarine habitat in Puget Sound, Washington.
Parts of both areas have been previously designated as critical habitat for other ESA-listed species.
NOAA Fisheries is soliciting comments from the public on all aspects of the proposal, including information on the economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the proposed designations, as well as the benefits to the species from designations.
Comments are due by April 15, 2013.
For more information, visit: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Habitat/Critical-Habitat/
source: NOAA Fisheries