EA of Seven Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans for Salmon and Steelhead in the Skokomish River basin

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Skokomish Indian Tribe (SIT) (the applicants, also collectively referred to as the co-managers) jointly submitted seven hatchery genetic and management plans (HGMPs) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule for salmon and steelhead hatchery programs they operate within the Skokomish River Basin in Washington State. The hatchery facilities supporting these programs are owned and operated by the co-managers, Tacoma Power (which is a division of Tacoma Public Utilities [TPU]), and Long Live the Kings (LLTK). The HGMPs describe seven hatchery programs that produce Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha), steelhead (O. mykiss), coho salmon (O. kisutch), chum salmon (O. keta), and sockeye salmon (O. nerka). This environmental assessment (EA) will evaluate the potential effects of approving these programs under Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule and alternatives.