Final Environmental Assessment: Chum Salmon Hatchery Programs in the Skagit River Basin

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Puget Sound treaty tribes jointly submitted three HGMPs for chum salmon hatchery programs in the Skagit River Basin in Puget Sound as RMPs. These plans describe each hatchery program in detail, including fish life stages produced and potential measures to minimize risks of negative impacts that may affect ESA-listed fish. NMFS’ determination of whether the plans achieve the conservation standards of the ESA, as set forth in Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule for listed salmon and steelhead, is the Federal action requiring National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. The analysis within the environmental assessment informs NMFS, hatchery operators, and the public about the current and anticipated direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of operating the three chum salmon hatchery programs under the full range of alternatives.