Revision of the Critical Habitat Designation for Southern Resident killer whales: Final ESA Section 4(b)(2) Report (to accompany the Final Rule)

This report contains the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region’s recommendations for the proposed revision of critical habitat pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), for the Southern Resident killer whale Distinct Population Segment, which was listed under the ESA on November 18, 2005. This report documents our compliance with section 4(b)(2) of the ESA regarding the impacts of revising critical habitat for Southern Resident killer whales. The report also describes our process, methods, and conclusions for each step leading to this revision to Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat. 2021 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) WCR (West Coast Region) Submitted Public Domain 1916