Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion: Coos Bay - North Bend Water Board211 Water Supply Expansion Project. Endangered Species Act, Section 7 Consultation

摘要

In a letter dated January 20, 1999, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE),211u001ePortland District, requested Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 formal 211u001econsultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on the Coos Bay-211u001eNorth Bend Water Board Water Supply Expansion Project (CBNBWB project). The COE 211u001eis evaluating the CBNBWB project under their regulatory authority found in 211u001eSection 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. 211u001eOn February 17, 1999, NMFS responded with a letter to the COE requesting 211u001eadditional information. The COE subsequently revised the biological assessment 211u001e(BA) and on July 2, 1999, completed the submission of supplemental information 211u001erequested by NMFS. NMFS thereby initiated formal consultation and conference with 211u001ethe COE. Table 1 lists the anadromous salmonid Evolutionarily Significant Units 211u001e(ESU) and proposed critical habitat this biological and conference opinion 211u001e(Opinion) addresses. The objective of this Opinion is to determine whether the 211u001eactivities associated with the CBNBWB project are likely to jeopardize the 211u001econtinued existence of the candidate and listed species, or result in the 211u001edestruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat. Should OC 211u001esteelhead be listed under the ESA, or should critical habitat for Oregon Coast 211u001ecoho salmon be designated, the NMFS expects this conference opinion to serve as 211u001ethe basis for a biological opinion on implementation of the action, pursuant to 211u001e50 CFR Section 402.10(d). The USDI Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will assume 211u001eregulatory jurisdiction of OC cutthroat. Formal consultation and conference will 211u001ebe concluded with the issuance of this Opinion.