Issuance of an Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(1)(A) Enhancement Permit to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Hatchery and Monitoring Activities associated with the San Joaquin River Restoration Program

The purpose of this EA is to analyze the activities described in the ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement permit application submitted by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and associated Hatchery Genetics Management Plan. The actions of the EA must ensure that the proposed SJRRP activities; (1) work to reintroduce CV spring-run Chinook salmon into the Restoration Area, (2) comply with the Restoration Goal of the Settlement, to restore fish downstream of Friant Dam to ‘good conditions’, and (3) are ESA compliant. According to the Final Recovery Plan for Central Valley Salmon and Steelhead (NMFS 2014), the population of CV spring-run Chinook salmon in the SJRRP Restoration Area is considered a top priority for reintroduction. The proposed action is a necessary regulatory component of this reintroduction effort.