Critical Habitat for the Oregon Coast Coho Salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU)

These GIS data contain stream reaches that were designated as "critical habitat" for the Oregon Coast coho salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) for the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The critical habitat is defined in the National Marine Fisheries Service's (NOAA Fisheries) final rule to designate critical habitat for this ESU on February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7816). The fish distribution in this data set was compiled from data gathered from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Additionally, we received comments from the public, federal agencies, and state and tribal salmon co-managers during the rule making process. Additional information regarding the process for designating critical habitat for this species can be found at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/ESA-Salmon-Listings/Salmon-Populations/Alsea-Response.

The ESU distribution data originated from ODFW's 1:100,000 scale enhanced fish distribution data. The ODFW mapped fish distribution on 1:24,000 scale USGS topographic maps and transferred the data to a 1:100,000 scale hydrography layer. However, some of the streams found on a 1:24,000 scale map are not found in the 1:100,000 scale hydrography. These non-matching streams are recorded as points representing the upper extent of fish distribution. We created new stream segments for these 1:24,000 scale points.

We have excluded portions of the range of the ESU from the final designation of critical habitat. Exclusions are based on economic and other relevant impacts considered during our analysis, as described in our 4(b)(2) Report. We also excluded Indian lands. For exact legal descriptions of critical habitat please consult the Final Rule published in the Federal Register on February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7816).