This final environmental impact statement (FEIS) analyzes implementation of the Puget Sound Chinook Harvest Resource Management Plan (RMP). This plan was jointly developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Puget Sound treaty tribes under Limit 6 of the Endangered Species Act
4(d) Rule. The RMP regulates commercial, recreational, ceremonial and subsistence salmon fisheries potentially affecting the ESA-listed
Puget Sound Chinook evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) in the marine and freshwater areas of Puget Sound.
The FEIS examines the effects of various harvest management strategies on a range of issues, including fish species, economics, federal treaty trust responsibilities, subsistence and wildlife. After taking into account public comment on a proposed evaluation of the RMP, the NOAA Fisheries Service Northwest Region prepared a final evaluation and made its determination that the RMP met the criteria under Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule.
