NMFS is designating critical habitat for the Umpqua River cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki). Designated critical habitat includes all river reaches of the Umpqua River accessible to cutthroat trout, including all Umpqua River estuarine areas and tributaries upstream from the Pacific Ocean to the confluence of the North and South Umpqua Rivers; the North Umpqua River, including all tributaries, from its confluence with the mainstem Umpqua River to Soda Springs dam; the South Umpqua River, including all tributaries, from its confluence with the mainstem Umpqua River to its headwaters. Critical habitat includes all waterways below longstanding, naturally impassable barriers (i.e., natural water falls in existence for over several hundred years). Such areas represent the current freshwater and estuarine range of the listed species. The economic and other impacts resulting from this critical habitat designation are expected to be minimal. NMFS is excluding areas above Soda Springs dam on the North Umpqua River from critical habitat. Available information indicates that habitat above Soda Springs dam is not currently essential for the conservation of this species. NMFS may revise this determination in the future should new information indicate habitat above Soda Springs dam is essential for the conservation of the species.