Management of Salmonid Resources

Although the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) has the ultimate responsibility for, and jurisdiction over, salmonid recovery planning, many federal and state agencies contribute to salmonid recovery via funding, planning, and implementation of salmonid recovery projects. Federal and state agencies can be both regulators of, and partners in implementing, plans to enhance salmonid populations.

NOAA and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service share responsibility for administering the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) (Johnson et al. 1994), although NOAA Fisheries takes the lead for salmonids. In California, the Department of Fish and Game regulates the recovery of anadromous salmonids under the California ESA. All three agencies provide funding and technical assistance to qualified entities working to enhance salmonid habitat. The California State Water Resources Control Board and the Environmental Protection Agency regulate water quality and also partner with and fund some local stream enhancement efforts. Many other federal and state agencies are partners in local and regional salmonid habitat restoration projects. Local and regional agencies' efforts can include restoration of specific stream reaches or segments, land use planning, local funding, and policy implementation. The role of each agency – whether federal, state, regional, or local – in salmonid recovery is based on its mandate, geographic scope, regulatory responsibility, and resources. Below is a list of federal agencies, state agencies, regional agencies, and local agencies that are involved in salmonid restoration activities within San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties. Please visit their Web sites for more information.

Federal Agencies

NOAA Fisheries recovery planning process

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

California State Agencies

California Resources Agency

California Department of Fish and Game

California Department of Fish and Game - Coho Salmon

California Department of Fish and Game - Steelhead Trout

California Coastal Conservancy

California Coastal Commission

State Water Resources Control Board

Department of Conservation – California Geologic Survey

California Environmental Protection Agency

The California Environmental Resources Evaluation System

Regional Agencies

FishNet 4C

Regional Offices of the Department of Water Resources

State of California San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development District

Local Agencies

San Mateo County Resource Conservation District

Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District

San Mateo County Department of Public Works Watershed Protection Services

Reference

Johnson, O.W., R.S. Waples, T.C. Wainwright, K.G. Neely, F.W. Waknitz, and L.T. Parker. 1994. "Status Review for Oregon's Umpqua River Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout." U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-VWFSC-15. View on-line source.