Summary

Description

These GIS data contain stream reaches that were designated as "critical habitat" for the Lower Columbia River (LCR) steelhead Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). The critical habitat is defined in the National Marine Fisheries Service's (NOAA Fisheries) final rule to designate critical habitat for 12 ESUs of Pacific salmon and steelhead. The fish distribution in this data set was compiled from data gathered from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Additionally, we received comments from the public, federal agencies, and state and tribal salmon co-managers during the rule making process. A detailed description of this process can be found in the following document: Final Assessment of NOAA Fisheries' Critical Habitat Analytical Review Teams For 12 Evolutionarily Significant Units of Pacific Salmon and Steelhead, NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division, 2005. - Within the Idaho portion of the ESU, we started with 1:100,000 scale fish distribution from IDFG. We acquired a database from IDFG which they refer to as the BLM Fish Presence Database (IDFG 2003). The data came from an earlier database originally mapped in 1991 based on a Smolt Density Model developed by the Northwest Power Planning Council. Since 1991, IDFG has made some improvements to the data by noting where documented observations have occurred and where suitable habitat is blocked by irrigation withdrawals. However, when we compared the distribution data with GIS data acquired from the Payette National Forest, it was apparent that there was additional data available that would lead to important improvements to the Snake River Basin steelhead distribution. After reviewing the database and after discussions with staff at IDFG, we decided to solicit information about the distribution of Snake River Basin steelhead from the BLM, USFS, and the Salmon River Subbasin Planning Team. More information about the Idaho portion of the data can be found in the documents referenced in the 'Supplemental Information' section. - On the Washington side of the ESU we started with 1:24,000 scale fish distribution data from WDFW. On the Oregon side of the ESU we started with 1:100,000 scale enhanced fish distribution data from ODFW. The ODFW mapped fish distribution on 1:24,000 scale USGS topographic maps and transferred the data to a 1:100,000 scale hydrography layer. However, some of the streams found on a 1:24,000 scale map are not found in the 1:100,000 scale hydrography. These non-matching streams are recorded as points representing the upper extent of fish distribution. We created new stream lines for these 1:24,000 scale points. - We have excluded portions of the range of the ESU from the final designation of critical habitat. Exclusions are based on economic and other relevant impacts considered during our analysis, as described in our 4(b)(2) Report. We also excluded Indian lands and Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP). However, due to legal concerns about the disclosure of the location of HCP and Indian lands, as well as questions about the accuracy of the data, we do not identify the location of these exclusions within this data set. For exact legal descriptions of critical habitat please consult the Federal Register notice.