Species Status:

The Northern California (NC) steelhead DPS includes all naturally spawned populations of steelhead in California coastal river basins from Redwood Creek (inclusive) southward to the Russian River (exclusive). Two artificial propagation programs are considered part of the DPS: the Yager Creek Hatchery and the North Fork Gualala River Hatchery (Gualala River Steelhead Project).

Little historical abundance information exists for the naturally spawning portion of the NC steelhead DPS. Although data were relatively limited, analysis by the original Biological Review Team (BRT) in the 1996 status review (Busby et al. 1996) suggested the following conclusions: (1) population abundances were low relative to historical estimates, (2) recent trends were downward, and (3) summer-run steelhead abundance was “very low.” The BRT was also concerned about the negative influences of hatchery stocks, especially from the Mad River Hatchery which is not considered part of the DPS. The Mad River Hatchery program was terminated in 2004, thus reducing the genetic risks associated with propagation of these fish.

An updated time series of data analyzed for the 2005 status review (Good et al. 2005) estimated lambda (growth) for the Middle Fork Eel River portion of the NC steelhead DPS at 0.98 (values less than 1 indicate negative growth). The overall trend in adult returns from the updated data was downward. Similarly, analysis of new time series data from summer-run steelhead in the Mad River showed a downward trend.

Short time series of juvenile abundance for 10 independent populations within the NC steelhead DPS were analyzed in the 2005 status review (Good et al. 2005). These new data showed both upward and downward trends. The significance level associated with hypothesis testing of growth implied a probability of 0.32 that the DPS was stable or increasing, and probability of 0.68 that the DPS was declining during the time for which data was available.

The two artificial propagation programs that are part of the NC steelhead DPS are thought to decrease risk of extinction to some degree by contributing to increased abundance. Additionally, changes to regulations concerning sport fishing likely reduce the extinction risk for the DPS. Ultimately, however, the most recent status review concluded that steelhead in the NC DPS remain likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future (Good et al. 2005)

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.

65 FR 36074. 2000. Endangered and threatened species: threatened status for one steelhead evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) in California. Federal Register, 65: 36074-36094.

71 FR 834. 2006. Endangered and threatened species: final listing determinations for 10 distinct population segments of West coast steelhead. Federal Register, 71: 834-862.

Busby, P. J., T. C. Wainwright & G. J. Bryant. 1996. Status Review of West Coast Steelhead from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum, NMFS-NWFSC-27. 261 pp.

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 and 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

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:  High Threat

  Floodplain Connectivity and Function:  Moderate to High Threat

  Channel Structure and Complexity:  Moderate Threat

  Riparian Areas and LWD Recruitment:  Moderate Threat

  Stream Substrate:  Moderate to High Threat

  Stream Flow:  Moderate Threat

  Water Quality:  High Threat

  Fish Passage:  Moderate to High Threat

• Hatchery-related Adverse Effects:  Moderate Threat

• Harvest-related Adverse Effects:  High Threat

• Predation/Competition/ Disease:  High Threat

Recovery Priority Number:          5

Recovery Priority Number: A priority number of “5” was assigned to the NC steelhead DPS 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 NC steelhead is based on a moderate degree of threat, a high recovery potential, and anticipated conflict with development projects or other economic activity.

A majority of the Biological Review Team which conducted the most recent status review of steelhead populations in Washington, Oregon and California concluded that natural populations of NC steelhead are likely to become endangered (Good et al. 2005). Abundance and productivity were of concern, while spatial structure and diversity were of lower concern. Uncertainty resulting from lack of data was considered by the BRT to be a source of risk, especially for the winter run portion of this DPS. Due to the lack of data, the recovery priority number will be reevaluated in the future as the recovery plan is developed.

A high potential for recovery exists for the NC steelhead DPS because the majority of the DPS is not presently in urban environments. Imminent land use changes and economic activities (timber, ranching, and agriculture) are anticipated to conflict with the conservation needs of NC steelhead.

Priority Recovery Actions Needed:

Several priority recovery actions are needed for the Northern California steelhead DPS, including the following:

• Improvements to California's Forest Practice Rules are outlined in the Federal Register Notice as essential for properly functioning conditions for this species; hence, continued focus will be working with the California Board of Forestry regarding non-federal timber harvest operations and the possible development of a Statewide forestry plan.

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

• Continue working with California Board of Forestry regarding non-federal timber harvest operations and possible Statewide forestry plan.

• 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 anadromous salmonid 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.

• Collaborate 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

02/20/08