NMFS Considering Adding Klamath Spring Chinook to the Endangered Species List

salmon underwater

Spring Chinook [Photo from the Salmon River Restoration Council and Watershed Research And Training Center]

Press release from the Karuk Tribe and the Salmon River Restoration Council:

After a 90 day review, today the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) published a notice in the Federal Register stating that the petition filed by the Karuk Tribe and the Salmon River Restoration Council to add Klamath Spring Chinook to the Endangered Species List provides “substantial information” and that “listing may be warranted.”

This finding triggers a 12 month review process by NMFS to reach a final determination.

Last August, a team of researchers at the University of California, Davis led by Dr. Michael Miller, published a report in the journal Science Advances that describes the genetic difference between Chinook (or King) salmon that migrate into rivers in the spring versus the fall. The research provides new insights into salmon evolution and reveals that spring Chinook salmon should be treated as its own evolutionarily distinct unit separate from fall Chinook. Before the age of dams, industrial mining, and clear-cut logging, spring Chinook salmon were the most abundant run of salmon in the Klamath and many other Pacific Northwest Rivers. Today these fish are nearly extinct throughout much of their historic range.

The report led the Karuk Tribe and the Salmon River Restoration Council to petition NMFS to add Klamath-Trinity spring Chinook the Endangered Species List. The Klamath River flows from southeastern Oregon to California’s north coast and is one of three rivers that power the West Coast commercial salmon fleet. Klamath-Trinity spring Chinook were specifically used in Miller’s study.

Spring Chinook enter rivers in the spring when snow melt swells rivers allowing the fish to travel into the upper reaches of a watershed. Then they must reside in cold water areas all summer until they spawn and die in the fall. Fall Chinook migrate into rivers in the fall where they spawn and die relatively soon after entering fresh water. “Having two life history strategies allow Chinook to take advantage of the entire watershed instead of just the upper or lower reaches,” explains Toz Soto, Senior Fisheries Biologist for the Karuk Tribe. “This behavioral diversity enhances the chances of long term survival for the entire population.”

“Dams are the single greatest threat to Spring Chinook,” explains Karuk Natural Resources Director Leaf Hillman. “Dams prevent Springers from accessing the upper reaches of watersheds where the cold water habitat they need to survive the summer is located.”

In the Klamath, there is currently a proposal to remove four main-stem dams which would reconnect spring Chinook to historic spawning areas. Although not finalized, Klamath dam removal appears likely as it has the backing of dam owner PacifiCorp, California, Oregon, Tribes and many other stakeholders. A final decision to approve the project is due from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2019.

The population of Chinook salmon that swims up the Klamath River in the spring once numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Last summer, divers at the Salmon River Cooperative Spring Chinook and Summer Steelhead Population Snorkel Survey only found 166 Spring-run Chinook, which is the second lowest return in over 20 years since the counts started.

“We have known all along that fall Chinook and spring Chinook, or ishyaȃt, are a distinct species,” says Karuk Natural Resources Director Leaf Hillman. “We need western science to catch up to traditional wisdom if we are to make the policy changes necessary to save this part of our culture.”

Today’s notice initiates a 60-day public comment period to solicit information on Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin. To read the notice or comment see https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/02/27/2018-03906/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-90-day-finding-on-a-petition-to-list-chinook-salmon-in-the-upper.

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Editor’s notes:

To view Dr. Miller’s publication online go to  http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/8/e1603198

Press release from UC Davis: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/study-reveals-evolutionary-history-imperiled-salmon-stocks

To learn more about the Karuk Tribe go to www.karuk.us

To learn more about Klamath dam removal see http://www.klamathrenewal.org/

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Honeydew Bridge C.H.U.M.P.
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Honeydew Bridge C.H.U.M.P.
6 years ago

That’s a great idea, because it can be used as an excuse to not issue permits for marijuana farms.

Those are beautiful fish and it’s about time those of us not doing drugs step up and resist the war on nature the Neo Hippies wage non stop.

I would vote for no marihuana farms within 400 miles of endangered species zones, and force the growers to clean up the mess, and make it so a convicted grower can only drive a Prius, for life.

Thinking through with a plan that eradicates marijuana can save wildlife.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
6 years ago

You’re part of the problem as well. No getting around that issue.

Adam Harrold
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Adam Harrold
6 years ago

Would the Prius be lifted or at least gold plated?

unbridled phillistine
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unbridled phillistine
6 years ago

Can you not read? Dams are the problem! But nice try Mr. chump.

local observer
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local observer
6 years ago
Emily
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Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  local observer

Well said.. like they say about a picture being worth a thousand words. You make your point well. I have to say though, those old timers could work hard. With no gas/diesel power… just a steam donkey and horses.

local observer
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local observer
6 years ago
Reply to  Emily

it looks like this donkey ran off Bunker C fuel oil. most did and the operator in this photo is covered in oil.

local observer
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local observer
6 years ago
Reply to  Emily

hydrocarbons were even used when oxen’s pulled the logs. the bucket on this drag is to hold grease.
http://library.humboldt.edu/humco/holdings/collection_images/palmquist/large/2003011945.jpg

Sadsalmonlover
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Sadsalmonlover
6 years ago

So sad both the eel & klamath are struggling so bad

Bozo
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Bozo
6 years ago

>”.. parting shot. like in National Geographic.” (Photo of an old Donkey Engine).

Interesting view… Salmon were plentiful after the early logging,
there were huge runs in the 1950’s, 1960’s… and even in the 1970’s ’till the drought hit.

Want good salmon? Take out the dams on the Klamath… Trinity Lake… and Lake Pillsbury diversion.
Trinity Lake and Pillsbury have big AG $$$ invested in the water.

local observer
Guest
local observer
6 years ago
Reply to  Bozo

the yager creek drainage was spawning grounds for the Van Duzen and no dams. the Lawrence Creek Mill was located in the creek bed as shown in this photo. the fisheries never came back, even after a lot of effort to restore it. its not one reason for the problem and its not one solution to solve it. but it will take 1,000s of years for soil to regenerate over the silt that was lost due to logging.

http://library.humboldt.edu/humco/holdings/collection_images/shuster/large/2001011608.jpg

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
6 years ago
Reply to  local observer

Yes, Yager still flows dirty, even when the Van Duzen is clearing. The poachers on that creek don’t help either.

get the fukushima out of here
Guest
get the fukushima out of here
6 years ago

we all know radiation from Fukushima is present in the pacific but what are the levels? Are the Chinook being tested? Dams, drought, radiation and global warming, not a bright future.