View Rule

The Bureau of Reclamation plans to release Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the upper Sacramento and McCloud Rivers above Shasta Dam for species recovery purposes. This action proposes to designate the fish released as nonessential experimental populations under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act. The proposed nonessential experimental populations are not expected to have a significant impact because the section 7(a)(2) consultation requirement would not apply to Federal agency actions affecting the experimental populations.  Additionally, take that is incidental to an otherwise lawful activity and is not willful, knowing, or due to negligence would not be prohibited. Otherwise lawful activities include, but are not limited to, agricultural, water management, power generation, construction, recreation, fishing, or forestry practices, when such activities are in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Similarly, take caused by any activity taken pursuant to a permit issued by NMFS under section 10 of the Endangered Species Act would not be prohibited. Aid, disposal, and salvage of fish by authorized personnel acting in compliance with threatened marine and anadromous species regulations would also not be prohibited.