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This action designated an experimental population of Spring-run Chinook salmon in the Okanogan River subbasin in Washington State, under Section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act. The designation will be for a non-essential population, and include proposed protective regulations. The Upper Columbia River spring-run Chinook salmon evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) was listed as endangered in 1999. Salmon from this ESU spawn in three river subbasins in eastern Washington State. A fourth population historically inhabited the Okanogan River subbasin, but was extirpated due to overfishing, hydropower development, and habitat degradation. The recovery plan for this ESU identifies re-establishment of a population in the Okanogan River basin as a recovery action.NMFS received a request from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Tribe) to designate a non-essential experimental population of Upper Columbia River Chinook salmon. This population would be established in the Okanogan River subbasin using excess hatchery-reared fish from the neighboring Methow River subbasin.