Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) Program

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Bonneville is proposing to fund the SAFE Program to achieve maximum production levels of Chinook and coho salmon as proposed from three fishery co-managers (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Clatsop County Fisheries) and as authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The SAFE Program would rear, acclimate, and release up to 4.25 million spring Chinook salmon smolts and 4.3 million coho salmon at four in-water net pen sites in off-channel areas (Select Areas) in the Lower Columbia River estuary located between river miles 10.0 and 27.0.  Eventually, these fish would return to these Select Areas for commercial and recreational harvest.  Thus, the SAFE Program’s overall objective would be protection of natural origin salmon through reduced harvest pressure.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

To understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, BPA may prepare an environmental assessment (EA) following the procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). If BPA determines that an EA should be prepared, the EA would analyze the proposal, as well as a no-fund alternative in which the SAFE Program would continue without Bonneville funding. The EA would also describe anticipated impacts to natural and human resources. During this process, BPA will work with Tribes; Federal, state, and local agencies; and other interest groups.

The proposed schedule for the environmental review is as follows:

Scoping comment period - January – February 2024

EA determination (if warranted) - February 2024

Draft EA available for public comment (if warranted) - March 2024

Final EA (if warranted) - May 2024

Finding of No Significant Impact (if warranted) - June 2024

If decision to implement, start - July 2024

CURRENT STATUS

BPA is requesting public scoping comments to help determine the issues that should be addressed in the environmental review. You may send us your comments so they may be considered as we analyze the issues. Please send your comments by February 2nd, 2024, so they may be considered. When commenting, refer to the full project name. All comments will be posted on the BPA comment website. There are several ways to comment:

Mail: Bonneville Power Administration
         Public Affairs – DKE-7
         P.O. Box 14428
         Portland, OR 97291-4428

Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Online: Public Comments 

CONTACT

For environmental information, contact:
Dan Gambetta
Environmental Protection Specialist
Bonneville Power Administration – ECF-4
PO Box 3621
Portland, Oregon 97208-3621
Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Direct line: 503-230-3493
Email: dagambetta@bpa.gov  

For project information, contact:
Tracy Hauser
Project Manager
Bonneville Power Administration – EWL
PO Box 3621
Portland, Oregon 97208-3621
Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Direct line: 503-230-4296
Email: tlhauser@bpa.gov  

DOCUMENTS

SCOPING
Scoping comments received 
Public Letter (01/02/2024)
Comment Form (01/02/2024)