Endangered and Threatened Species: Designation of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Upper Columbia River Spring-run Chinook Salmon in the Okanogan River Subbasin, Washington, and Protective Regulations

We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), designate and authorize the release of a nonessential experimental population of Upper Columbia River (UCR) spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the Okanogan River subbasin, and establish a limited set of take prohibitions for the nonessential experimental population under section 4(d) of the ESA. Successful reintroduction of a population within the species' historic range would contribute to its viability and further its conservation. The issuance of limited protective regulations will provide for the conservation of the species while providing assurances to people in the Okanogan River subbasin. The geographic boundary for the NEP is the main stem and all tributaries of the Okanogan River between the Canada-United States border and to the confluence of the Okanogan River with the Columbia River, Washington (hereafter "Okanogan River NEP Area"). We have prepared a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the proposed action under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (see ADDRESSES: section below).