OAR 635-100-0194: Lower Columbia River Coho De-listing Criteria

(1) This rule describes the measurable criteria that define the minimum conservation goal for wild lower Columbia River coho. Upon meeting these criteria, ODFW shall be biologically justified to propose that species be removed from Oregon’s endangered species list. (2) For the purpose of evaluating the biological status of lower Columbia River wild coho with respect to the criteria described in this rule, the following geographic areas where wild coho presently exist or are believed likely to exist in the future are defined as the recovery population boundaries. (a) The Astoria population occurs in Youngs Bay tributaries and all Columbia tributaries upstream to and including Gnat Creek. (b) The Clatskanie population occurs in Columbia River tributaries upstream of Gnat Creek to and including the Clatskanie River basin. (c) The Scappoose population occurs in Columbia River tributaries upstream of the Clatskanie River to the mouth of the Willamette River. (d) The Clackamas population occurs in the Clackamas River basin plus Columbia River tributaries to the Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls. (e) The Sandy population occurs in the Sandy basin plus Columbia River tributaries downstream to the mouth of the Willamette River. (f) The Bonneville population occurs in Columbia River tributaries upstream of the Sandy River to and including the Hood River basin. (3) To meet the minimum conservation goal, lower Columbia River coho must be found to meet all of the following biological criteria: (a) Population Distribution and Structure — Self-sustaining wild populations are present in the Sandy and Clackamas basins. In addition, at least two of the following populations (Astoria, Clatskanie, Scappoose, or Bonneville) are self-sustaining. (b) Diversity — Naturally reproducing wild coho are present in 65% of the named streams that historically contained coho. Human activities impose only minor artificial selection pressures on the phenotypic character of the wild populations. The ongoing impact of hatchery fish on the genetic character, evolutionary processes, and innate productivity of naturally reproducing populations is minor. (c) Abundance — For three consecutive years, the number of wild spawners is at least 50% of the level necessary to produce maximum smolt recruits (full seeding) for the Sandy, Clackamas, and in at least two of the following populations: Astoria, Clatskanie, Scappoose, and Bonneville. (d) Connectivity — No artificial barriers exist that prevent the dispersing of wild coho between naturally reproducing populations. (e) Persistence and Resilience — The probability of extinction in 36 years is less than 5% for the Sandy and Clackamas populations plus two of the following populations: Astoria, Clatskanie, Scappoose, and Bonneville.