Species Status:

The California Coastal (CC) Chinook salmon ESU includes all naturally spawned populations of Chinook salmon from rivers and streams south of the Klamath River (exclusive) to the Russian River (inclusive). Seven artificial propagation programs are considered part of the ESU: the Humboldt Fish Action Council (Freshwater Creek), Yager Creek, Redwood Creek, Hollow Tree, Van Arsdale Fish Station, Mattole Salmon Group, and Mad River Hatchery fall-run Chinook hatchery programs.

Information on abundance and productivity trends for the naturally spawning component of the CC Chinook salmon ESU is extremely limited. A status review conducted by the Biological Review Team (BRT) in 2005 concluded that CC Chinook salmon continue to exhibit depressed population sizes relative to historical abundances (Good et al. 2005). A reduction of geographic distribution was also noted, particularly for spring-run Chinook salmon (which may no longer be extant anywhere in the range of this ESU) and from basins in the southern portion of the ESU. Analyses of the few time series of data available for this ESU showed mixed trends. Positive trends seemed apparent at Freshwater Creek and Mad River while trends from the Eel River were generally negative. Recent strong return numbers to the Russian River have been documented, but the genetic relatedness of these fish to others in the ESU is uncertain. The lack of data and resultant uncertainty associated with estimates of abundance contributes substantially to assessments of risk facing the CC Chinook salmon ESU.

Artificial propagation of Chinook salmon from the seven hatcheries included in the CC Chinook salmon ESU remains at low levels (Good et al. 2005). It is unknown if these hatcheries are a benefit or detriment to the naturally spawning portion of the ESU.

Recovery Plan Status:

No recovery plan has been completed for this DPS.  The Recovery Outline will be completed by December 2006.  Current progress includes development of a recovery plan template, recovery plan chapters and an assessment of threats applying The Nature Conservancy protocols.  A draft recovery plan is expected in June 2007 with a final plan to be completed in December 2007. 

Literature Cited

55 FR 24296. 1990. Endangered and threatened species; listing and recovery priority guidelines. Federal Register, 55: 24296-24298.

64 FR 50394. 1999. Endangered and threatened species: Threatened status for two Chinook salmon evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) in California. Federal Register, 64: 50934-50415.

70 FR 37160. 2005. Endangered and threatened species: final listing determinations for 16 ESUs of West Coast Salmon, and final 4(d) protective regulations for threatened salmonid ESUs. Federal Register, 70: 37160-37204.

Good, T. P., R. S. Waples & P. B. Adams. 2005. Updated status of federally listed ESUs of West Coast salmon and steelhead. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum, NMFS-NWFSC-66. 598 pp.

Threats & Impacts:

• Agricultural operations

• Artificial barriers

  Canal and pipeline crossings

  Conditions severing surface/subsurface hydrologic connection of stream channel and wetlands

  Dams

  Erosion-control structures

  Flood-control structures

  Pits from gravel mining

  Road crossings (e.g., bridges, culverts, and low-water fords)

• Forestry operations

• Gravel extraction

• Illegal harvest

• Streambed alteration

• Substandard fish screens on diversions

• Suction dredging

• Unscreened water diversions

• Urbanization

• Water demand exceeding availability

• Water pollution

Additional and highlighted threats include the following: 

• Potential genetic modification in hatchery stocks resulting from domestication selection

• Incidental mortality from catch-and-release hooking

• Climatic variation leading to drought, flooding, and variable ocean conditions

• Predation

• Non-federal timber harvest operations are identified in the final listing notice as a critical threat to this DPS

The following limiting factors, and their level of threat to this DPS, were identified in the 2006 Pacific Coastal Salmonid Restoration Fund Report to Congress:

• Degraded Habitat:

  Estuarine and Near-shore Marine:  Moderate Threat

  Floodplain Connectivity and Function:  High Threat

  Channel Structure and Complexity:  Moderate Threat

  Riparian Areas and LWD Recruitment:  Moderate Threat

  Stream Substrate:  Moderate Threat

  Stream Flow:  Moderate to High Threat

  Water Quality: Moderate Threat

  Fish Passage:  High Threat

• Hatchery-related Adverse Effects:  Very Low Threat

• Harvest-related Adverse Effects:  High Threat

• Predation/Competition/ Disease:  Moderate to High Threat

Recovery Priority Number:          3

A Priority Number of “3” was assigned to the CC Chinook salmon ESU in accordance with the Recovery Priority Guidelines (55 FR 24296, Section B) and indicates the priority of the species for recovery plan development and implementation. Ranking for the CC Chinook salmon ESU is based on a high degree of threat, a low-moderate recovery potential, and anticipated conflict with development projects or other economic activity.

The high degree of threat is based on: 1) evidence that suggests populations have been extirpated in the southern part of the ESU, or are extremely low in abundance, and 2) loss of the spring-run Chinook salmon life history form. A low-moderate potential for recovery is possible for CC Chinook based on the extremely limited availability of data and the moderate likelihood that freshwater impacts can be substantially controlled or reduced through habitat protection, implementation of best management practices and focused restoration. Imminent land use changes and encroaching urbanization into rural areas are anticipated to conflict with the conservation needs of CC Chinook.

Priority Recovery Actions Needed:

Several priority recovery actions are needed for the California Coast Chinook Salmon ESU, including the following:

• Research and monitor distribution, status, and trends of Chinook.

• Promote operations of current recovery hatcheries and develop HGMPs to minimize negative influences of hatcheries.

• Improve freshwater habitat quantity and quality.

• Protect and restore habitat complexity and connectivity from the upper watershed to the ocean.

• Conduct focused freshwater habitat restoration in salmon streams (e.g., erosion control, bank stabilization, riparian protection and restoration, and reintroduction of large woody debris).

• Balance water supply and allocation with fisheries needs through a water rights program, designate fully appropriated watersheds, develop passive diversion devices or offstream storage, eliminate illegal water diversions, and improve criteria for water drafting and dam operations.

• Improve agricultural and forestry practices, in particular, riparian protections, road construction, and road maintenance.

• Improve county and city planning, regulations (e.g., riparian and grading ordinances), and county road maintenance programs.

• Remove/upgrade high-priority man-made fish passage barriers (e.g., watercourse crossings and non-hydropower dams). 

• Implement screening of all water diversion structures.

• Replace existing, outdated septic systems and improve wastewater management.

• Identify and treat point and non-point source pollution of streams from wastewater, agricultural practices, and urban environments.

• Modify channel and flood control maintenance and eliminate artificial breeching of sandbars for improvements in channel and estuarine habitats.

Conservation Actions:

• Continue working with State Board of Forestry regarding non-federal timber operations.

• Preliminary scoping underway between State and NMFS regarding California State Forestry Habitat Conservation Plan.

• Implement the Fish Friendly Farming program, a multi-agency, third-party certification and technical assistance program for wine grape growers practicing best management practices (BMPs) for salmon – Over 10,000 acres of private property have been inspected and certified through this program.

• Collaborated proactively with counties on General Plan Updates, Grading Ordinances, and Riparian Ordinances.

• Five Counties Roads Program support through ESA 4(d) rule process and continued assistance.

• Improved section 7 consultations.

02/20/2008