Critical Habitat Designated for Endangered 3-Inch Long Willamette Valley Fish

Contacts

Joan Jewett, (503) 231-6211

The U.S.F.W.S. today designated critical habitat for the Oregon chub, a small fish native to Oregon's Willamette Valley. The Oregon chub (Oregonichthys crameri) was listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1993.

The designation includes 25 units totaling 132 acres, including land under state, federal, other government and private ownership. As allowed under the ESA, all or portions of these units were considered but not selected for exclusion from the critical habitat designation. Exclusions could have been based on the relative costs and benefits of designating critical habitat, including information that was gathered during the public review period on potential economic and other relevant impacts of the proposal.

The following table illustrates the land area designated as critical habitat by Co. and land ownership, in acres.

The economic analysis, prepared by Industrial Economics Incorporated of Cambridge, Mass., estimated the additional cost of the suggested critical habitat designation would total $108,000 over 20 years. This cost is expected to be entirely the administrative costs of additional consultations required for critical habitat under Section seven of the Endangered Species Act. The total costs of Oregon chub conservation including consultation and other already-ongoing efforts is predicted to be between $2.74 million and $11.1 million over 20 years.

These impacts are low in comparison to the conservation costs for other species in the Pacific Northwest because the suggested critical habitat for the chub totals only 132.1 acres, mostly in small disconnected habitat units that are isolated from economic activity. Also, the long history of protection for the chub has created a baseline of ongoing conservation efforts.

Oregon chub have an olive colored back grading to silver on the sides and white on the belly. Young of the year range in length from 0.25 to 1.25 inches, and adults can be up to 3.5 inches in length. Oregon chub are found in slack-water, off-channel habitats with little or no water flow, silty organic bottoms, and plenty of aquatic vegetative cover that the fish use for hiding and spawning. Oregon chub can be relatively long-lived, with males living up to 7 years and females up to 9 years, although less than ten percent of fish in most Oregon chub populations are older than 3 years.

The Oregon chub is native only to the Willamette River Valley and was formerly distributed in a constantly changing network of off-channel habitats such as beaver ponds, oxbows, backwater sloughs, low gradient tributaries and flooded marshes. Oregon chub were found in the Willamette River as far downstream as Oregon City, as far upstream as Oakridge, and in a number of tributaries. Historically, Oregon chub would be dispersed and their habitat regularly altered by winter and spring flooding. The dispersal created opportunities for interbreeding between different populations. Installation of flood control plans in the Willamette River basin altered the natural flow regime and flooding no longer creates Oregon chub habitat or provides opportunities for genetic mixing of populations. With the recent invasions of introduced fish species, any floods that do occur now further threaten Oregon chub populations by spreading nonnative species that compete with or prey on Oregon chub.

The Oregon chub's population numbers and range are greater today than at the time it was listed as endangered, but it will take further conservation measures and time for the species to reach full recovery. Based on the recovery goals for Oregon chub outlined in the 1998 Recovery Plan, as well as the extensive data collected through yearly surveys for the species from 1992 through 2008, the U.S.F.W.S. has determined that this critical habitat designation will enhance and expedite the recovery of the species.

A copy of the final rule is accessible at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html or by contacting the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office at 503-231-6179.

The U.S.F.W.S. suggested this critical habitat in response to a lawsuit filed by the Institute for Wildlife Protection. A settlement arrangement required the critical habitat suggestion to be submitted to the Federal Register by March 1, 2009, and a final rule submitted to the Federal Register by March 1, 2010.

Under the Endangered Species Act, critical habitat identifies geographic areas that contain features essential for the conservation of a listed species. Critical habitat designations provide extra regulatory protection that may require special management considerations, and the habitats are then prioritized for recovery actions.

The designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve or other conservation area. It does not allow government or public access to private lands. A critical habitat designation does not impose restrictions on non-federal lands unless federal funds, permits or activities are involved. However, designating critical habitat on federal or non-federal lands informs landowners and the public of the specific areas that are important to the recovery of the species.

The mission of the U.S.F.W.S. is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov