Final Environmental Impact Statement for 10 Salmon and Steelhead Hatchery Programs in the Duwamish-Green River Basin

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Puget Sound treaty tribes jointly submitted 10 HGMPs for salmon and steelhead hatchery programs in the Duwamish-Green River Basin in Puget Sound, as an RMP. 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 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 impact statement (EIS) informs NMFS, hatchery operators, and the public about the current and anticipated direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of operating the 10 salmon and steelhead hatchery programs under the full range of alternatives.