OAR 635-500-1290: Spring Chinook Salmon

Policy and objectives for wild and hatchery spring Chinook above the mouth of the McKenzie River. (1) Policy: Consistent with achieving the desired status for spring Chinook salmon identified in the Upper Willamette River Conservation and Recovery Plan for Chinook Salmon and Steelhead (OAR 635-500-6600), the Middle Fork Willamette subbasin shall be managed for production of wild and hatchery spring Chinook. (a) The areas above Fall Creek Dam will be managed for the production of wild spring Chinook; (b) The areas below Fall Creek and Dexter dams will be managed for production of wild and hatchery spring Chinook; (c) After a reintroduction program using hatchery spring Chinook, the area above Dexter Dam will be managed for the production of wild spring Chinook. (2) Objectives: (a) Achieve the desired status for spring Chinook salmon in the Middle Fork Willamette subbasin identified in the Upper Willamette River Conservation and Recovery Plan for Chinook Salmon and Steelhead (OAR 635-500-6600); (b) Achieve full mitigation for Willamette River spring Chinook populations reduced or extirpated due to dam construction and operations; (c) Monitor the status of the spring Chinook run in the Middle Fork Willamette subbasin; (d) Maintain the gene resources of Middle Fork Willamette spring Chinook; (e) Maintain hatchery fish genetic diversity, to assure that hatchery populations do not pose a risk to wild populations, meet the management objectives for which they are produced, and maintain their optimum biological and economic value; (f) Other subbasins above the mouth of the McKenzie River shall be managed for hatchery production and natural production of spring Chinook; (g) As consistent with desired status goals in the Recovery Plan, provide opportunity to catch 1,125 spring Chinook in the Willamette River basin above the mouth of the McKenzie River