Description:
The Umpqua National Forest (UNF) submitted June 3, 1999, January 14, 2000, and April 14, 2000 letters requesting consultation for a number of proposed activities that were determined likely to adversely affect Oregon Coast (OC) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Biological assessments (BAs) addressing the potential effects to these species accompanied the letters. The BAs describe the environmental baseline and effects of proposed actions on OC coho salmon and its critical habitat and this biological opinion (Opinion) analyzes the proposed actions described in the BAs. The proposed actions would have short-term adverse effects on OC coho salmon and its habitat, but are expected to provide long-term beneficial effects. The OC coho salmon evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) was listed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on August 10, 1998 (63 FR 42587). Critical habitat for this species was designated on February 16, 2000 (65 FR 7764). The UNF made the effects determinations in the BAs following procedures described in NMFS (1996). This document serves as NMFS's biological opinion for OC coho salmon. The objective of this Opinion is to determine whether the proposed actions are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of OC coho salmon or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat for OC coho salmon. This consultation is undertaken pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the ESA and its implementing regulations, 50 CFR Part 402.