Designation of Critical Habitat for West Coast Salmon and Steelhead FINAL 4(b)(2) Report

This report contains NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Region’s recommendations for designating critical habitat under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for 12 salmon and steelhead evolutionarily significant units (ESU) that are listed under the ESA as of the date of the final designation (August 15, 2005). We developed our recommendations consistent with statutory requirements and agency regulations. The ESA and supporting regulations emphasize the central role of habitat in endangered species conservation. It defines critical habitat as specific occupied areas that contain physical or biological features that are essential to conservation and that may require special management considerations or protection, and specific unoccupied areas if the area itself is essential for conservation. 2005 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) NWFSC (Northwest Fisheries Science Center) Library Public Domain 1862