92 



used for evaluacing impacts on Snake River spring/ summer and fall 

 chinook. NMFS has recently determined that there will likely be 

 juvenile outmigrant and returning adult Snake River sockeye 

 salmon in the Snake and Columbia Rivers in 1993 (Schiewe 1993). 

 Because so few fish remain, the human- induced mortality of even 

 one adult fish, or an equivalent impact, is a matter of grave 

 concern. NMFS strongly recommends that all Federal agencies take 

 measures to reduce adverse human impacts on Snake River socKeye 

 salmon to minimal levels in order to insure that their actions 

 are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of this 

 species . 



The impacts of agency actions on Snake River spring/ summer and 

 fall chinook salmon are expected to be evaluated in two steps. 

 First, NMFS would consider an action individually to determine 

 whether the action includes measures or modifications to 

 significantly reduce the level of human- induced mortality 

 compared with a specified base period. In the second step, NMFS 

 would evaluate the combined effects of all actions using the 

 available CoIumDia/Snaxe River salmon life cycle models and other 

 information. 



First, in evaluating an individual action and alternatives, NMFS 

 would focus on whether there would be a significant reduction in 

 mortality relative to a 1986-1990 base period. ' NMFS does not 

 anticipate specifying a quantitative level of reduction that 

 applies to all actions, but it is anticipated that each action 

 would achieve some reduction. In determining whether a proposed 

 action or alternatives provide (s) reductions that are adequate, 

 NMFS would consider the best available scientific information and 

 data, including, among other things: scientific literature for 

 the listed species and related stocks and on the impacts cf the 

 proposed action on listed species including quantitative 

 mortality data; the relative contribution of the action to 

 current mortality and overall decline of the species; the 

 availability of measures judged to be effective in reducing 

 mortality; and recommendations for methods of reducing mortality 

 previously developed by NMFS and other interested parties. 



Second, NMFS would evaluate a proposed action, the action as 

 modified during the consultation process, and alternatives in the 

 context of the combined effects of all human actions that may 

 affect spring/summer and fall chinook salmon. NMFS anticipates 

 utilizing a quantitative analysis that would be based on the 



' Certain actions that result in only minimal impacts to 

 listed species, such as scientific research (in some cases), are 

 not identified as factors contributing to the decline of listed 

 salmon or as impeding recovery. Therefore, these actions will 

 not be subject to base period analysis, but will be required to 

 take measures to minimize impacts on listed species. 



