Snake River Fall Chinook Supplementation Program a. The Parties all have an interest in the current Snake River (SR) fall Chinook production program, its effects on SR fall Chinook abundance and productivity, and the magnitude or relative impact of the current production program compared to other actions and conditions that influence SR fall Chinook abundance and productivity. With the implementation of the SR fall Chinook supplementation program, the abundance of natural origin SR fall Chinook has significantly increased thereby effectively reducing the near-term risk to the population’s persistence. The Parties agree that the effect of the current supplementation strategy on SR fall Chinook abundance, productivity, spatial structure, and diversity, and the magnitude or relative impact of the current production program to other actions that influence SR fall Chinook will continue to be evaluated over the course of this Agreement. If, during the course of this Agreement, additional data or changed circumstances arise associated with the SR fall Chinook, then the Parties agree to consider options to address the issue identified, including whether to modify the current supplementation program or consider other management responses. In the event that NOAA seeks to revise the SR fall Chinook supplementation program utilizing its ESA authorities, or another event triggers ESA-based re- consideration of the SR fall Chinook supplementation program during the term of this Agreement, NOAA shall meet with all the Parties to analyze the SR fall Chinook supplementation program compared to other actions and conditions that influence SR fall Chinook abundance, productivity, spatial structure and diversity, as well as legal principles, including but not limited to the Tribes’ treaty rights, the States’ interests, the Secretarial Order on ESA and Tribal Treaty rights, the conservation necessity principles and the ESA.
