Or. Admin. R. 635-007-0507

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 5, May 1, 2024

Section 635-007-0507 - Interim Criteria

As temporary guidance to ensure the conservation of native fish prior to the completion of conservation plans, the Department shall use the interim criteria described in this rule. Once a conservation plan is approved, these interim criteria will no longer apply to the species management unit. In addition, for state endangered species covered by an associated endangered species management plan, as described in OAR 635-100-0140, these interim criteria do not apply.

(1) Existing Populations - No more than 20% of the historical populations within the species management unit have become extinct and no natural population within the species management unit in existence as of 2003 shall be lost in the future. Further, if the historical species management unit contained more than one race (e.g., summer and winter steelhead), then each race must be represented by at least 2 populations. For at least 80% of the existing populations within each species management unit or for selected index populations identified in the stock status report as described in 635-007-0505(10), interim criteria (2) through (6) must be exceeded in at least 3 years during the most recent 5-year time interval.

(2) Habitat Use Distribution - Naturally produced members of a population must occupy at least 50% of a population's historic habitat.

(3) Abundance - The number of naturally produced spawners must be greater than 25% of the average abundance of naturally produced spawners over the most recent 30 year time period.

(4) Productivity - In years when the total spawner abundance is less than the average abundance of naturally produced spawners over the past 30 years, then the rate of population increase shall be at least 1.2 adult offspring per parent. Where offspring are defined as naturally produced adults that survive to spawn and parents are defined as those adults of both natural plus hatchery origin that spawned and collectively produced the observed offspring.

(5) Reproductive Independence - At least 90% of the spawners within a population must be naturally produced and not hatchery produced fish, unless the department determines the hatchery produced fish are being used in a short-term experimental program to help restore a population in its natural habitat or otherwise directed by a court order.

(6) Hybridization - The occurrence of individuals that are the product of deleterious hybridization with species that are non-native to the basin in which they are found must be rare or nonexistent.

Or. Admin. R. 635-007-0507

DFW 96-2003, f. & cert. ef. 9-19-03

Stat. Auth.: ORS 496.012 and 496.138

Stats. Implemented: ORS 496.171, 496.172, 496.176, 496.182, 496.430, 496.435, 496.445, 496.450, and 496.455