UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE West Coast Region 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100 PORTLAND, OREGON 97232 May 21, 2019 Dear Recipient: In accordance with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we announce the availability for review of the Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for Snake River Basin Hatcheries. The proposed action is to make Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 4(d) determinations for the 15 hatchery programs for spring and summer Chinook salmon, summer steelhead, and coho salmon to operate in the Snake River Basin. These programs are operated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and are funded by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan, the Idaho Power Company, and the Bonneville Power Administration. The document is accessible electronically through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region website at: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/hatcheries/SRHatcheries/snake16_hatch_rvw.html. Hard copies or CD copies of the document may be obtained from the NMFS Comment Coordinator for this action, Emi Kondo, at the contact information provided below. Written comments may be submitted to NMFS via electronic mail, physical mail, or fax to the Comment Coordinator during the public comment period (the closing date for the public comment period is noted at the above website). When submitting comments, please include the identifier “Snake River Hatcheries DEA comments” in the subject line or fax cover page. Comment Coordinator: Emi Kondo, Fish Biologist National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100 Portland, OR 97232 Phone: 503-736-4739 Fax: 503-872-2737
[email protected] Thank you in advance for your input and assistance in finalizing the Environmental Assessment.