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. Sincerely, Barry A. Thom Regional Administrator Environmental Assessment Snake River Basin Hatcheries Snake River Basin June 2019 Snake River Basin Hatcheries Draft Environmental Assessment June 2019 Lead Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Responsible Official: Regional Administrator, West Coast Region National Marine Fisheries Service Cooperating Agency: Bonneville Power Administration DOE document number: DOE/EA-2083 For further information contact: Emi Kondo National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100 Portland, OR 97232 503-736-4739 [email protected] Section 1 - Introduction Table of Contents 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................. 1-2 1.2 Project Area and Study Area .................................................................................................. 1-3 1.3 Relationship to Other Plans, Regulations, Agreements, Laws, Secretarial Orders, and Executive Orders ............................................................................................................. 1-5 1.3.1 Tribal Trust Responsibility under the Endangered Species Act ................................ 1-5 1.3.2 U.S. v. Oregon ........................................................................................................... 1-5 1.3.3 Northwest Power Act/Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program ....................................... 1-6 2 Description of Alternatives ................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.1 Alternative 1, No Action .......................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.1 Clearwater Subbasin and Hells Canyon Programs ................................................... 2-9 2.1.2 Salmon River Programs .......................................................................................... 2-10 2.1.3 Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation .................................................................... 2-15 2.1.4 Operation and Maintenance .................................................................................... 2-15 2.2 Alternative 2, Proposed Action ............................................................................................. 2-29 2.3 Alternative 3, Reduced Production ....................................................................................... 2-29 2.4 Alternative 4, Program Termination ..................................................................................... 2-30 2.5 Alternatives Considered but not Analyzed in Detail ............................................................. 2-30 2.5.1 Hatchery Programs with Increased Production Levels ........................................... 2-30 2.5.2 Hatchery Programs with Other Decreased Production Levels ............................... 2-30 2.5.3 Increased Harvest to Reduce Hatchery Fish on Spawning Grounds ..................... 2-30 3 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Water Quantity ....................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.1 Surface Water ........................................................................................................... 3-5 3.1.2 Ground and Spring Water ......................................................................................... 3-5 3.2 Water Quality .......................................................................................................................... 3-6 3.3 Salmon and Steelhead ........................................................................................................... 3-9 3.3.1 Study Area ................................................................................................................. 3-9 3.3.2 ESA-Listed Salmon and Steelhead Populations ..................................................... 3-10 3.3.3 Critical Habitat and Essential Fish Habitat .............................................................. 3-11 3.3.4 Non-ESA-listed Salmon Populations ....................................................................... 3-12 3.3.5 Ongoing Effects of Hatchery Programs................................................................... 3-12 3.4 Fisheries ............................................................................................................................... 3-39 3.4.1 Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon ............................................................................ 3-40 3.4.2 Steelhead ................................................................................................................ 3-40 3.4.3 Coho Salmon ........................................................................................................... 3-41 3.5 Other Fish Species ............................................................................................................... 3-41 3.6 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................. 3-45 3.7 Socioeconomics ................................................................................................................... 3-47 3.8 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................... 3-50 3.8.1 Nez Perce Tribe ...................................................................................................... 3-50 3.8.2 Shoshone-Bannock Tribes ...................................................................................... 3-51 3.8.3 Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation ......................................... 3-51 3.8.4 Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation .............................................. 3-51 Snake River Basin Hatcheries EA i June 2019 Section 1 - Introduction 3.9 Environmental Justice .......................................................................................................... 3-54 3.10 Human Health and Safety .................................................................................................... 3-55 4 Environmental Consequences ......................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Water Quantity ....................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1.1 Alternative 1 .............................................................................................................. 4-1 4.1.2 Alternative 2 .............................................................................................................. 4-2 4.1.3 Alternative 3 .............................................................................................................. 4-2 4.1.4 Alternative 4 .............................................................................................................. 4-2 4.2 Water Quality .......................................................................................................................... 4-3 4.2.1 Alternative 1 .............................................................................................................