Programs & Activities: Endangered Species

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed by Congress to protect species that are in danger of becoming extinct or are threatened with extinction. Reclamation complies with the ESA in the operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of projects and facilities, and on new construction projects, by completing Biological Assessments for actions that may affect those species. ESA compliance is also fully incorporated into the region's National Environmental Policy Act process.

NOAA Fisheries Service oversees the protection and recovery of certain marine-related endangered or threatened species, including salmon and steelhead. NOAA Fisheries’ judgment of how to protect these species is presented in a Biological Opinion issued to Federal agencies. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also issues Biological Opinions for actions affecting non-marine endangered/ threatened species.

Lower Columbia Area
Deschutes River Basin Biological Assessment
Rogue River Basin Biological Assessment
Willamette Project Supplemental Biological Assessment | NOAA Fisheries Biological Opinion | Fact Sheet (PDF 30kb)

Snake River Area
2007 Upper Snake Biological Assessment

Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers own and operate the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS), a series of hydropower projects on the Columbia and lower Snake Rivers. The Bonneville Power Administration markets and distributes the power generated from these dams. The FCRPS is operated in compliance with the Endangered Species Act and other Federal laws. Details on FCRPS and the ESA>>

Dan Lechefsky
Regional Environmental Officer
dlechefsky@pn.usbr.gov
(208) 378-5039

Tributary Habitat Program
NOAA Fisheries Service
US Fish and Wildlife Service
http://www.salmonrecovery.gov
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/

Last Update: September 5, 2008 3:17 PM