80 



was cne of the primary reasons citea ty tne National Marine Fisnenes Service in 

 their aecision that listing the stocK was not warrantea. 



o Habitat is an very important comDonent of salmonid production. In fact, declinina 

 habitat conaition is the single factor affecting nearly ail of the stocks at risk. 

 Degradation of spawning ana rearing habitat has occurrea on ail lana ownerships 

 througnout the range of Pacific anadromous fish stocks. Detrimental changes in 

 habitat condition include reduction in water quality (as measured by increases in 

 temperature, sedimentatipn. changes in nutrient levels ana water cnemistry, and 

 the presence of toxic substances), changes in water quantity and/or timing of 

 water flow, and reduction in habitat complexity (as indicated in less of deep pools, 

 reduction in amounts of large wooay aebns. and cnanges in wiath:aeoth ratios 

 and bank angles). 



The Forest Service and BLM have an important role to piay in the management of 

 .vatersheas and fish habitat in Alaska. California, Idaho. Oregon, and Wasnington. The 

 watersheds on National Forests encompass approximately 50% of the remaining 

 Tesnwater anadromous fish spawning and rearing habitat in the lower 48 states and 

 aoout 25% of sucn habitat in Alasna. Public Lanas managea by the BLM mciube 13.200 

 stream miles in the lower 48 states and 133.000 miles in Alaska that provide anadromous 

 fish spawning and rearing habitat. 



For those stocks affected primarily by habitat factors, the management of watersheds 

 to ensure good fish habitat on National Forests and Public Lands is important. 

 Management of these lanas also can play an impprtant role in moOerating the rate of 

 decline for those stocks affected primarily by hydroelectric aeveiooment ana operations, 

 hatcheries, and fish harvest, and can provide a buffer against environmental extremes. 

 Of the 134 "at risk" stocks identifiea by the 1991 AFS repprt that are founa on National 

 Forests in the lower 48 states ana the 1 09 "at risk" stocks that are found on BLM 

 administered Public Lanas. approximately 23% are affected primarily by hydroelectric 

 development and operatipn. For the remaining stocks that are limited primarily by 

 ether factors (habitat, harvest, hatcheries), poor habitat condition most often is the 

 primary cause of decline or impeaiment to recovery. 



PACF1SH Strategy Framework 



The 1 991 AFS report, coupled with the November 1 991 listing of the Snake River sockeye 

 salmon as endangered and the April 1 992 listing of the Snake River spring/summer 

 and fall chinpok saimpn as threatened, served as a wake-up call for the Forest Service. 

 BLM, and others to prpvide mpre sensitive management of Pacific anadromous fish 

 and their habitat. In an effort to address the issue of declining fish stocks in the Alaska. 

 California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, the Forest Service initiated a team effort in 

 early spring 1 992 to undertake an assessment and develop a management strategy 

 that addresses the habitat needs of all Pacific anadromous "at risk" stocks on National 

 Forests (see December 1992 Informational Report). During this same time, the BLM 

 began revising its 1 988 "Anadromous Fish Habitat on Public Lands" strategic plan. In 

 March 1 993, the Forest Service and the BLM announced their commitment to develoo 

 a common strategy for management of Pacific salmon and steelhead habitats and 



PACFISH Strategy Executive Summary: Page - 3 



