Final Environmental Assessment for Four Salmon Hatchery Programs in the Stillaguamish River Basin
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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 October 24, 2019 Dear Recipient: In accordance with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we announce the publication of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Four Salmon Hatchery Programs in the Stillaguamish River Basin. The proposed action is approval of four salmon hatchery programs under Endangered Species Act Section 4(d) Limit 6. The hatchery programs are described in Hatchery Genetic Management Plans prepared by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians and submitted collectively with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA)’s Policy and Procedures for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related Authorities: Companion Manual for NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A requires that NOAA prepare and publish a FONSI that concludes the NEPA process for an EA. The National Marine Fisheries Service has made available the Final EA electronically through the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional salmon and steelhead hatcheries website. The FONSI is included as Appendix E of the Final EA. Sincerely, Barry A. Thom Regional Administrator THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Final Environmental Assessment for Four Salmon Hatchery Programs in the Stillaguamish River Basin Prepared by the National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region In Cooperation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Region October 2019 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Cover Sheet Title of Environmental Review: Final Environmental Assessment for Four Salmon Hatchery Programs in the Stillaguamish River Basin Responsible Agency and Official: Barry A. Thom, Regional Administrator National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1 Seattle, WA 98115 Cooperating Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Contact: Allyson Purcell NMFS Sustainable Fisheries Division, West Coast Region 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 110 Portland, OR 97232 [email protected] (503) 736-4736 Location of Proposed Activities: The Stillaguamish River Basin in Puget Sound, Washington State Proposed Action: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) would make a determination that the four hatchery and genetic management plans (HGMPs), submitted as resource management plans (RMPs) by the co-managers, meet the requirements under Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for listed Puget Sound Chinook salmon and steelhead. Abstract: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Puget Sound treaty tribes jointly submitted four HGMPs for salmon hatchery programs in the Stillaguamish River Basin in Puget Sound as RMPs. These plans describe each hatchery program in detail, including fish life stages produced and potential measures to minimize risks of negative impacts that may affect ESA-listed fish. NMFS’ determination of whether the plans achieve the conservation standards of the ESA, as set forth in Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule for listed salmon and steelhead, is the Federal action requiring National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. The analysis within the environmental assessment informs NMFS, hatchery operators, and the public about the current and anticipated direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of operating the four salmon hatchery programs under the full range of alternatives. THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Description of the Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 2 1.2 Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action ............................................................................... 3 1.3 Project and Analysis Areas ............................................................................................................ 4 1.4 Relationship to Other Plans, Regulations, Agreements, Laws, Secretarial Orders, and Executive Orders ............................................................................................................................ 6 2 ALTERNATIVES .................................................................................................................................. 7 2.1 Activities Common to All Alternatives Except Alternative 3 (Termination) ................................ 7 2.2 Alternatives Analyzed in Detail ..................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) – Do Not Make a Determination under the 4(d) Rule ............. 9 2.2.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Action and Preferred Alternative) – Make a Determination That the Submitted HGMPs Meet the Requirements of the 4(d) Rule ............................ 10 2.2.3 Alternative 3 (Termination) – Termination of Salmon Hatchery Programs in the Stillaguamish River Basin ............................................................................................... 10 2.2.4 Alternative 4 (Reduced Production) ................................................................................ 11 2.3 Alternatives Considered but Not Analyzed in Detail ................................................................... 11 2.3.1 Increased Production ....................................................................................................... 11 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................................... 12 3.1 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................. 12 3.2 Water Quantity ............................................................................................................................. 13 3.3 Water Quality ............................................................................................................................... 16 3.4 Salmon and Steelhead .................................................................................................................. 18 3.4.1 Stillaguamish River Basin Salmon Hatchery Programs .................................................. 23 3.4.2 Salmon Hatchery Program Effects on Salmon and Steelhead ......................................... 29 3.5 Other Fish Species ........................................................................................................................ 49 3.6 Wildlife ........................................................................................................................................ 53 3.7 Cultural Resources ....................................................................................................................... 57 3.8 Socioeconomics ............................................................................................................................ 59 3.8.1 Hatchery Employment and Operations ........................................................................... 60 3.8.2 Fisheries .......................................................................................................................... 60 3.9 Human Health .............................................................................................................................. 63 3.10 Environmental Justice .................................................................................................................. 64 3.10.1 Environmental Justice Communities and Non-tribal Groups .......................................... 65 3.10.2 Native American Tribes .................................................................................................. 66 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ......................................................................................... 68 4.1 Analysis Approach and Summary ................................................................................................ 68 4.1.1 Actual and Maximum Production Levels ........................................................................ 68 4.1.2 Summary of Effects ......................................................................................................... 69 4.2 Water Quantity ............................................................................................................................. 73 4.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) and Alternative 2 (Proposed Action) .................................... 73 4.2.2 Alternative 3 (Termination) ............................................................................................ 74 4.2.3 Alternative 4 (Reduced Production) ................................................................................ 74 4.3 Water Quality ............................................................................................................................... 74 4.3.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) and Alternative 2 (Proposed Action) .................................... 75 4.3.2 Alternative 3 (Termination) ............................................................................................ 75 4.3.3 Alternative 4 (Reduced Production) ...............................................................................