The Endangered Species Act (ESA) provides for the listing of species as “endangered” or “threatened” and prohibits the “take” of endangered species. Take is defined by the ESA as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.” NOAA Fisheries has extended the prohibition against take of endangered species to west coast salmon and steelhead populations listed as threatened under the ESA.
Salmon and steelhead hatchery programs that WDFW operates in regions with fish and wildlife listed under the federal ESA are reviewed by NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (where species under USFWS jurisdiction are present, such as bull trout) to ensure consistency with the requirements of the ESA. These requirements are defined in Limit 5 (state operated programs with no tribal connection) or Limit 6 (programs operated under U.S. v. Washington or U.S. v. Oregon) of the ESA §4(d) Rules for salmon and steelhead, 50 CFR 223.203(b).
The review process requires NOAA Fisheries to obtain its own authorization under the ESA before approving a proposed program. This typically results in Biological Opinions and Incidental Take Statements to the federal agency from NOAA Fisheries and the USFWS (Services). The Incidental Take Statements issued to NOAA Fisheries also cover the hatchery operator. NOAA Fisheries must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act when issuing an Incidental Take Statement.
The Services have completed 4(d) reviews and issued Biological Opinions and Incidental Take Statements for many Puget Sound and Columbia River hatchery programs. WDFW is currently in or awaiting to initiate the review process with the Services on additional Puget Sound and Columbia River basin hatchery operations. Because of the depth of the review process, limited staffing at the Services, and the number of programs, the process has not yet been completed for some programs. WDFW is working with the Services to accelerate and expeditiously complete the review process.
Click here to view the status of ESA reviews and the NEPA process for WDFW’s hatchery programs and associated requirements.
Puget Sound
Deep South Sound (Minter Creek, Chambers Creek, South Sound Net Pens, Deschutes River)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambers Creek Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026 | ||
| Deschutes River Coho | Under review | HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026 | ||
| Deschutes River Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026 | ||
| Minter Creek Coho | Under review | HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026 | ||
| Minter Creek Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026 | ||
| Minter Creek Chum | Under review | HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026 | ||
| South Sound Chinook Net Pens | Under review | HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026 | ||
| South Sound Coho Net Pens | Under review | HGMP submitted 1/23/2023; expected completion 2026 |
Green (Soos Creek, Palmer Ponds, Icy Creek)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soos Summer Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued | NOAA Biological Opinion (PDF) USFWS Biological Opinion (PDF) |
Duwamish Green River ROD (PDF) Duwamish Green River EIS (PDF) |
| Green River Winter Late Native Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Marine Tech Lab Coho | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Soos Creek Coho | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Soos Creek Fall Chinook | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 4/15/2019, Incidental Take Statement issued |
Hood Canal (Hoodsport)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoodsport Chum | ESA Authorized | Initial HGMP approved 9/30/2016; reinitiation HGMP approved 3/8/2022 |
Hood Canal 4(d) Limit 6 Decision Memo (PDF) |
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| Hoodsport Fall Chinook | ESA Authorized | Initial HGMP approved 9/30/2016; reinitiation HGMP approved 3/8/2022 |
Lake Washington (Issaquah Creek, Cedar River, University of Washington)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah Creek Coho | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued | Lake Washington Final EA and FONSI (PDF) | |
| Issaquah Creek Fall Chinook | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Lake Washington Sockeye (Cedar River) | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| University of Washington Chinook | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| University of Washington Coho | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 12/23/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued |
Nooksack River (Kendall Creek, Samish River, Glenwood Springs)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenwood Springs Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024 | ||
| Kendall Creek Coho | Under review | HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024 |
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| Kendall Creek Early Winter Steelhead | Under review | HGMP Approved 4/15/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued |
Early Winter Steelhead 1 4(d) Determination (PDF) Early Winter Steelhead 1 Evaluation and Recommendation Determination (PDF) Early Winter Steelhead 1 NOAA Biological Opinion (1 of 2) Dungeness, Kendall, Whitehorse (PDF) Early Winter Steelhead 1 USFWS Biological Opinion (Nooksack only) (PDF) |
|
| Kendall Creek Fall Chum | Under review | HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024 | ||
| Kendall Creek Spring Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024 | ||
| Samish River Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024 | ||
| Whatcom Creek Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024 | ||
| Whatcom Creek Chum | Under review | HGMP submitted 9/3/2021; expected completion 2024 |
Puyallup River (Voights Creek)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minter Creek-Hupp Springs (White River) Spring Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 12/1/2022; expected completion 2026 | ||
| Voights Creek Coho | Under review | HGMP submitted 12/1/2022; expected completion 2026 | ||
| Voights Creek Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 12/1/2022; expected completion 2026 |
Skagit River (Marblemount, Baker Lake)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker Lake Coho | Under review | HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025 | ||
| Baker Lake Sockeye | Under review | HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025 | ||
| Marblemount Chum | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 10/26/2022; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Marblemount Coho | Under review | HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025 | ||
| Marblemount Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025 | ||
| Marblemount Spring Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025 | ||
| Marblemount Summer Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 5/18/2018; expected completion 2025 |
Skokomish River (George Adams, Mckernan)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Adams Coho | Under review | HGMP submitted 12/17/2021; expected completion 2024 | ||
| George Adams Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 12/17/2021; expected completion 2024 | ||
| McKernan Fall Chum | Under review | HGMP submitted 12/17/2021; expected completion 2024 |
Snohomish River (Wallace River, Skykomish River)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skykomish River Summer Steelhead (Reiter Ponds) | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 7/2/2021; Incidental Take Statement issued |
Skykomish River NOAA Summer Steelhead Letter of Concurrence (PDF) Skykomish River USFWS Summer Steelhead Biological Opinion (PDF) |
Sunset Falls Skykomish Summer Steelhead EA and FONSI (PDF) |
| Tokul Creek Early Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 4/15/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Wallace River Chum | ESA Authorized | Initial HGMP approved 9/27/2017; reinitiation HGMP approved 12/13/2022; Incidental Take Statement issued |
Snohomish River NOAA Biological Opinion (PDF) Snohomish River USFWS Biological Opinion (PDF) Snohomish River NOAA Biological Opinion (reinitiation) (PDF) |
Snohomish Hatcheries Final Supplemental EA and FONSi (PDF) |
| Wallace River Coho | ESA Authorized | Initial HGMP approved 9/27/2017; reinitiation HGMP approved 12/13/2022; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Wallace River Summer Chinook | ESA Authorized | Initial HGMP approved 9/27/2017; reinitiation HGMP approved 12/13/2022; Incidental Take Statement issued |
Stillaguamish River
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitehorse River Early Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 4/15/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued | Early Winter Steelhead Biological Opinion (PDF) | Stillaguamish Final EA and FONSI (PDF) |
Strait of Juan de Fuca
Elwha River
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elwha Summer/Fall Chinook | ESA Authorized | Initial HGMP approved 12/10/2012; reinitiationHGMP approved 12/15/2014; Incidental Take Statement issued | Elwha River NOAA Biological Opinion (reinitiation) (PDF) Elwha River NOAA Biological Opinion (PDF) Elwha River USFWS Biological Opinion (PDF) |
Elwha EA and FONSI (PDF) |
Dungeness River (Dungeness River, Hurd Creek)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dungeness River Coho | ESA Authorized | Initial HGMP approved 5/31/2016; reinitation HGMP approved 9/24/2019; Incidental Take Statement issued |
Dungeness USFWS Biological Opinion (PDF) |
Dungeness Coho Hatchery Supplemental Information Report (PDF) |
| Dungeness River Early Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP Approved 4/15/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Dungeness River Pink | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 5/31/2016; Incidental Take Statement issued | Dungeness EA and FONSI (PDF) | |
| Dungeness River Spring Chinook | Under FWS review | Initial HGMP approved 5/31/2016; waiting for completion of FWS reinitiation | ||
| Dungeness Summer Chum | Under review | HGMP submitted 1/24/2023; expected completion 2025/2026 |
Lower Columbia River
Cowlitz River (Cowlitz River Salmon, Cowlitz River Trout)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowlitz River Coastal Cutthroat Trout | Under review | HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027 | ||
| Cowlitz River Coho | Under review | HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027 | ||
| Cowlitz River Fall Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027 | ||
| Cowlitz River Spring Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027 | ||
| Cowlitz River Summer Steelhead | Under review | HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027 | ||
| Cowlitz River Winter Steelhead | Under review | HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027 |
Lewis River (Lake Merwin, Lewis River and Speelyai)
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis River Chum | Under review | HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027 | ||
| Lewis River Spring Chinook | Under review | HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027 | ||
| Lewis River Late Coho (Type N) | Under review | HGMP submitted 8/28/2023; expected completion 2027 | ||
| Lewis River Early Coho (Type S) | ESA Authorized | FERC License Approved 8/27/2007; Incidental Take Statement issued |
Lewis River Hydroelectric Project NMFS Biological Opinion August 27 2007 (PDF) USFWS Biological Opinion 2006 (PDF) Merwin Eulachon NOAA Biological and Conference Opinion (PDF) |
Lewis River Hydroelectric Project EIS (PDF) |
| Lewis River Summer Steelhead | ESA Authorized | FERC License Approved 8/27/2007; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Lewis River Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | FERC License Approved 8/27/2007; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Lewis River Late Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | FERC License Approved 8/27/2007; Incidental Take Statement issued |
Mitchell Act
| Programs | NOAA Status Review | Status | ESA Documents | NEPA Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek Summer Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued |
Mitchell Act NOAA Biological Opinion (PDF)
Mitchell Act USFWS Letter of Concurrence (PDF)
Mitchell Act 4(d) determination (PDF)
|
Columbia River Basin Hatchery Operations and the Funding of Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs EIS (PDF)
Mitchell Act Evaluation and Recommendation Determination (PDF) |
| Beaver Creek Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Cathlamet Channel Spring Chinook Net Pen | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Coweeman River Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Deep River Fall Chinook | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Elochoman River Type N Coho | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Grays River Type N Coho | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Kalama River Early Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Kalama River Fall Chinook | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Kalama River Spring Chinook | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Kalama River Summer Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Kalama River Summer Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Kalama River Type N Coho | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Kalama River Winter Late Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| North Fork Toutle River Coho | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| North Fork Toutle River Fall Chinook | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Salmon Creek (Klineline Ponds) Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Skamania River (Washougal) Summer Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Skamania River (Washougal) Winter Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| South Fork Toutle River Summer Steelhead | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Washougal River Coho | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Washougal River Fall Chinook | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | ||
| Deep River Coho ((Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE)) | ESA Authorized | HGMP approved 1/15/2017; Incidental Take Statement issued | Select Area Fisheries Enhancement NOAA Biological Opinion (PDF) |