UNITED STATES D PAATMENT OF COMMERCE N ational Dcaanll;! and Atmo.ph.rlc Admlnl.tratlon PROGRA M PLANNING A N D INTEGR ATION Sliver S p ring. M aryland eoS1 0 JUN 2 8 2010 To All Interested Government Agencies and Public Groups: Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an environmental review has been performed on the following action. TITLE: Environmental Assessment on the Effects ofthe Issuance of a Protected Species Cooperative Conservation Grant to the Yurok Tribe (Award No. NAlONMF4720374) to Conduct Studies on Eulachon Smelt in Northwest California. LOCATION: Research would take place in Northwest California in the Klamath River, Mad River, and Redwood Creek. SUMMARY: The current EA analyzed the effects of the proposed southern DPS eulachon research, which will be conducted in Northwest California. Specifically, the funded work would 1) determine the population status of eulachon in the Klamath River, Redwood Creek and the Mad River; 2) develop and implement an annual eulachon spawning stock biomass (SSB) estimate for the Klamath River that would allow managers to better track recovery and manage fishery impacts; 3) conduct egg and larvae surveys of known and potential spawning areas in the lower Klamath River, Mad River, and Redwood Creek in California to better characterize current eulachon smelt distribution and to inform NOAA Fisheries critical habitat decisions for the DPS; and 4) to clarify the genetic structure of eulachon populations in the Klamath River, Redwood Creek and Mad River. The proposed action analyzed in the EA would not have significant environmental effects on the target or non-target species; public health and safety would not affected; no unique geographic area would be affected; and the effects of this study would not be highly uncertain, nor would they involve unique or unknown risks. Issuance of this award would not set a precedent for future actions with significant effects, nor would it represent a decision in principle about a future consideration. There would not be individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts associated with the proposed action, and there would not be adverse effects on historic resources. The award would contain mitigating measures to avoid unnecessary stress to the subject animals. RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: James H. Lecky Director, Office of Protected Resources National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 713-2332 @ ?nntlld 00 Recycled Paper The environmental review process led us to conclude this action will not have a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared. A copy of the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) including the supporting EA is enclosed for your information. Although NOAA is not soliciting comments on this completed EAlFONSI, we will consider any comments submitted assisting us to prepare future NEP A documents. Please submit any written comments to the responsible official named above. Sincerely, Paul N. Doremus, Ph.D. NOAA NEP A Coordinator Enclosure Environmental Assessment Issuance of a Protected Species Conservation and Recovery Grant to the Yurok Tribe (Award File NA10NMF4720374) to Conduct Studies on Eulachon Smelt in Northwest California Lead Agency: USDC National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources Responsible Official: James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected Resources For Further Information Contact: Office of Protected Resources National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 713-2332 Location: Northwest California; Klamath River Basin, Redwood Creek, Mad River 1 CHAPTER 1 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION 1.1 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION The National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources (NMFS PR) proposes to provide financial assistance in the form of a grant to the Yurok Tribal Fisheries Program (YTFP) (Michael Belchik, P.I.). This award would be issued through the Protected Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program (CFDA no. 11.472, Unallied Science Programs) authorized under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.). This financial assistance award is planned to extend for three years (three annual payments) and is subject to semi-annual review by NMFS. The grant would support conservation activities for the ESA threatened eulachon smelt in northwest California. Purpose and Need The National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) recognizes the unique importance of many protected species to tribes and values ongoing efforts by tribal nations to conserve and protect species under NMFS' jurisdiction. NMFS is authorized to provide Federal assistance to tribes to support conservation programs for marine and anadromous species under its jurisdiction. Scientific research is an important means of gathering valuable information about protected species to inform conservation and management measures and, ultimately, to recover listed species. In order to fully carry out these responsibilities, NMFS needs to take action in response to a request from YTFP for financial assistance to support a monitoring program in order to assess status and trends to better manage anthropogenic impacts and other threats to recovery of the southern eulachon smelt distinct population segment (DPS). Specifically, the funded work would 1) determine the population status of eulachon in the Klamath River, Redwood Creek and the Mad River; 2) develop and implement an annual eulachon spawning stock biomass (SSB) estimate for the Klamath River that would allow managers to better track recovery and manage fishery impacts; 3) conduct egg and larvae surveys of known and potential spawning areas in the lower Klamath River, Mad River, and Redwood Creek in California to better characterize current eulachon smelt distribution and to inform NOAA Fisheries critical habitat decisions for the DPS; and 4) to clarify the genetic structure of eulachon populations in the Klamath, Redwood Creek and Mad Rivers. 1.2 PROPOSED RESEARCH AREA AND METHODS The proposed research under Award File NA10NMF4720374 to YTFP would take place in the mainstem lower Klamath River, Mad River, and Redwood Creek in northwest California from 2010 to 2013. Up to 100 pre-spawned adult eulachon per year would be sampled from the Klamath River, Redwood Creek and Mad River (up to 300 per year total for all three systems). A small fin clip would be taken from the pre-spawned adults for genetic analysis and the fish would be visually sexed (see McCarter and Hay, 2003 for methods) and immediately released. This sampling protocol would take no more than 5 minutes. Whole post-spawned fish (most or all post- spawned fish die) would also be collected for genetics, age composition via otolith analysis; sex ratio through visual examination; and if possible, relative fecundity values. Sampling of adult eulachon in the Klamath River, Mad River, and Redwood Creek would occur from January 2 through April in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Sampling would occur approximately 3 days per week (highly weather dependent) for 8 hours per day at sampling locations yet to be determined but below river mile 30 in the Klamath. In the Mad River, sampling would occur 1 time per week for 8 hours at sampling locations yet to be determined but generally in the tidally influenced portion of the river (lower 5 miles). In Redwood Creek sampling would occur 1 times per week for 8 hours at 1 station located in Redwood Creek estuary (lower 3 miles of Redwood Creek). The adult eulachon would be collected using a combination of seine nets or dip nets (measuring no more than 36 inches across the bag frame). Sampling would be stratified by depth, distance from shore, and time of day. Some night sampling would occur as winter conditions and safety allow. If eulachon are found the applicant would design and conduct spawning stock biomass (SSB) estimate planktonic surveys using the methods described in Hay (2002, 2003). If eulachon in significant numbers are found in the Klamath Basin, the applicant is proposing the use of the daily egg production method (DEPM)(Parker, 1985; Jackson and Cheng, 2001) to develop a robust SSB estimate for eulachon smelt. One minute plankton tows would be conducted near the top, middle, and bottom of a station along a transect position. The major Klamath River transect is located at approximately river mile 4, near the Highway 101 bridge. The transect position (perpendicular to the river flow) would have at least one station near each shoreline and one in the middle of the channel, for a total of three stations. Up to 90 tows would be made each year, 9 per week for approximately 10 weeks, dependent upon the duration of the eulachon larvae outmigration period. It is estimated that less than 5,000 eulachon larvae would be captured per year, although actual numbers could be far lower. A General Oceanic flow meter, mounted on the net frame, would be used to determine the volume filtered during sampling. Samples would be preserved in 95% ethanol (dilutes to approximately 50% alcohol during rinsing of sample into the bottle). In the laboratory, Rose Bengal would be added to make the larvae more visible for counting. The larval count data would be combined with daily river discharge and eulachon fecundity data to determine an estimate of SSB. The lower Klamath River discharge data would be derived from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) river discharge data. Fecundity data would be derived from biological sampling of the adult spawners (see below). Additional plankton net sampling to document eulachon larvae presence in Redwood Creek and Mad River would occur during January-April 2011-2013. Estimated numbers of plankton net sets by river per year are 10 each in Redwood Creek and Mad River. Plankton net sets in both Mad River and Redwood Creek would take place in the lower tidally-influenced portion of the river; generally below river mile 5 in Mad River and river mile 1 in Redwood Creek.