Petition to List Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon as Threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act - Comment Period Extended to September 6, 2024

NOAA Fisheries announces a 90-day finding on a petition to list Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), or any evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) that may exist in the petitioned area, as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to designate critical habitat concurrent with the listing. We find that the petition, viewed in the context of information readily available in our files, presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. Therefore, we are commencing a review of the status of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon to determine whether listing under the ESA is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information regarding this species from any interested party.

NOAA Fisheries Extends Comment Period on Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon Listing

NOAA Fisheries announces the extension of the public comment period on our May 24, 2024, 90-day finding on a petition to list Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), or any evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) that may exist in the petitioned area, as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

As part of that finding, we solicited scientific and commercial information about the status of this population and announced a 60-day public comment period to end on July 23, 2024.

Today, we extend the public comment period until September 6, 2024.

Although we have extended the comment period by 45 days, we are unable to extend the statutory deadline for completing the status review and publishing a 12-month finding under the ESA. As such, we urge interested parties to submit their comments and data as soon as possible to allow us more time to review and incorporate the information where appropriate.

You may submit data and information relevant to our review of the status of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon, identified by “Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon Petition” or by the docket number, NOAA-NMFS-2024-0042, by any of the following methods:

• Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2024-0042 in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to Anne Marie Eich, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn. Susan Meyer. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802.