Supplemental EA of NOAA’s NMFS Determination that Seven Hatchery Programs for Snohomish River Salmon as Described in Joint State-Tribal Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans Satisfy the ESA Section 4(d) Rule

Supplemental Environmental Assessment of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Determination that Seven Hatchery Programs for Snohomish River Salmon as Described in Joint State-Tribal Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans Satisfy the Endangered Species Act Section 4(d) Rule --

The purpose of this SEA is to analyze a new alternative (Alternative 5, Increased Production). The new alternative is based on the applicants’ interest in increasing hatchery production of juvenile coho salmon, chum salmon, and summer-run Chinook salmon. In addition, within this SEA, NMFS will analyze the effects of the new action on endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW), and the importance of Chinook salmon prey to their food base. The increased production will have similar effects as the alternatives analyzed in the EA. There will be low negative genetic, competition, and predation affects to Chinook salmon from the increased production alternative.