🐟Compliance Requirements for Hatchery Programs Under ESA
NMFS has evaluated plans for three hatchery programs rearing and releasing Chinook, coho, and pink salmon in the Dungeness River basin, submitted by the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) as co-managers pursuant to the limitation on take prohibitions for actions conducted under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The plans describe hatchery programs operated by the co-managers. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of an Evaluation and Recommended Determination Document (ERD) in which NMFS, by delegated authority from the Secretary of Commerce, has determined that implementing and enforcing these hatchery and genetics management plans (HGMPs) will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery nor modify or destroy critical habitat of Puget Sound Chinook salmon or Puget Sound steelhead.
Learn More🐟Notice on Hatchery Management Plans and Environmental Determination
NMFS has evaluated hatchery and genetic management plans (HGMPs) for 12 hatchery programs rearing and releasing Chinook, coho, and chum salmon in the Nooksack River basin and Strait of Georgia submitted by the Lummi Nation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in collaboration with the Nooksack Indian Tribe as co- managers pursuant to the limitation on take prohibitions for actions conducted under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The plans describe hatchery programs operated by the co-managers. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of an Evaluation and Recommended Determination Document (ERD) in which NMFS, by delegated authority from the Secretary of Commerce, has determined that implementing and enforcing these HGMPs will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery nor modify or destroy critical habitat of Puget Sound Chinook salmon or Puget Sound steelhead. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), NMFS also announces the availability of its Finding of No Significant Impact for the hatchery operations under the HGMPs.
Learn More🏺Notice on Human Remains Inventory Completion at GHC Library
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the John Spellman Library at Grays Harbor College (GHC Library) has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Learn More🌿EPA Updates Washington State Implementation Plan for Air Quality
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating the materials that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP). The regulations affected by this update have been previously submitted by Washington and approved by the EPA. This update affects the materials that are available for public inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the EPA Regional Office.
Learn More🌉Proposed Regulations for Marine Mammal Takes in Bridge Project
Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBRP) applied for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project (IBR) on Interstate 5 (I-5) between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington over the course of 5 years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations setting forth permissible methods of taking, other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on such marine mammal stocks (i.e., mitigation measures), and requirements pertaining to monitoring and reporting such takes and requests comments on the proposed regulations. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the promulgation of the requested MMPA regulations, and NMFS's responses to public comments will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Learn More🐬Proposed Regulations on Marine Mammal Take for Duckabush Estuary
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for incidental take regulations (ITR) and a Letter of Authorization (LOA) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The requested regulations would govern the authorization of take of small numbers of marine mammals over 5 years (2026-2031) incidental to the Duckabush Estuary Restoration Project (DERP) in Hood Canal, Washington. NMFS requests public comments and will consider them prior to making any final decision on the requested ITR and issuance of the LOA; agency responses to comments will be summarized in the final rule, if issued.
Learn More💧Federal Notice
This notice from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announces the Declaration of Intention for the Three Sisters Energy Project by Paradigm Shift Hydro, LLC. It outlines project details, including location, components, and the process for public comments and protests regarding the application.
Learn More🌲USDA Proposes Revision of Forest Land Management Plans in Oregon & Washington
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is revising the land management plans for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests (together known as the Blue Mountains National Forests) and preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) consistent with the agency's National Forest System Land Management Planning regulations (36 CFR 219) and USDA National Environmental Policy Act regulations (7 CFR 1b.7). This notice announces the Forest Service's intent to prepare an EIS and initiate public involvement on the proposed action and request comments on the Preliminary Need to Change, Preliminary Draft Proposed Land Management Plan, the Evaluation of Wilderness Characteristics of Lands included in the inventory, and the list of Preliminary Species of Conservation Concern. This notice describes the documents available for review and how to obtain them; summarizes the need for change to the existing land management plans; provides information concerning public participation and collaboration, including the process for submitting comments; provides an estimated schedule for the planning process, including the time available to submit comments; and explains how to obtain additional information. The Planning, Administrative Reviews, and Litigation System identification number for the project is 64157.
Learn More🐬Incidental Take Authorization for Kingston Ferry Terminal Project
In accordance with regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with a Kingston Ferry Terminal project in Kingston, WA.
Learn More🐬Renewal of IHA for Terminal 4 Expansion
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Port of Grays Harbor to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to the Terminal 4 Expansion and Redevelopment Project at the Port of Grays Harbor, Washington.
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