Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Application of Protective Regulations under Section 4(D) of the Endangered Species Act for the Threatened Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American Green Sturgeon

摘要

This environmental assessment (EA) was written to provide information to decision-makers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and to the public about a final rule under section 4(d) of the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) to protect the threatened Southern Distinct Population Segment (Southern DPS) of North American green sturgeon. This EA describes the proposed and alternative ESA 4(d) Rules considered by NMFS and provides an analysis of the potential environmental effects of each. A draft EA was prepared for the proposed rule and alternatives to inform NMFS decision-making and was made available for public comment.