On February 16, 1994, the Secretary of Commerce received a petition from the Oregon Natural Resources Council and fifteen co-petitioners to list steelhead populations in California, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). On May 20, 1994, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) started an unprecedented review of scientific information to determine whether west coast steelhead populations (California, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington) were threatened or endangered.Scientific Findings: Based on its scientific findings (Busby et al. 1995), NMFS is proposing to list ten distinct populations of steelhead in California, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington as threatened or endangered species (see briefing package map for locations and threatened and endangered designations).

At least 23 steelhead stocks are extinct; another 43 face a moderate to high risk of extinction. Most remaining steelhead populations up and down the west coast are at low levels or in decline.

Because of their related ancestry, resident and sea-run forms have been grouped together for Pacific salmon and cutthroat trout listed under the ESA. Resident steelheads are not included in this proposal. NMFS will review the relationship between sea-run and resident steelhead further before any final decision.

Habitat degradation, hatchery practices, over-harvest, and inadequate enforcement of existing laws and regulations are factors for the species’ decline and remain potential threats to west coast steelhead existence.

Steelhead Restoration Planning: This proposal to list West Coast steelhead under the ESA will in no way affect state and local conservation initiatives. The same fundamental actions will be necessary to restore West Coast steelhead whether they are listed under the ESA or not. These actions will also benefit other fish and wildlife, water quality, and recreational values. The ESA jumpstarts conservation initiatives to save species and offers different options to recover them. NMFS supports local conservation initiatives and is encouraging the states of Oregon, California, Idaho, and Washington, watershed councils, and private entities to take action and restore West Coast steelhead, and coastal salmon and cutthroat trout to levels that support social and economic values important to the region.

Pouring life back into local creeks.