1. (1) Species management units that do not meet, or that the department determines are unlikely to meet in the near future, at least four of the interim criteria specified in 635-007-0507 shall be classified as "at risk.” Species management units that meet four but no more than five of the interim criteria specified in 635-007-0507 shall be classified as "potentially at risk.” Species management units that meet all interim criteria specified in 635-007-0507 shall be classified as "not at risk.”
2. (2) For those species management units classified as potentially at risk, the Department shall document this finding in the native fish species status report as described in 635-007-0505(10) and give an elevated priority to the species management unit with respect to development of statewide monitoring strategies and conservation plan development.
3. (3) For those species management units classified as at risk, the Department, in addition to actions described in 635-007-0509(2), shall implement, within the Department’s statutory authority, fish management changes likely to improve the conservation status of the conservation management unit, based upon a documented evaluation of the primary factors impacting fish within the species management unit. The Department shall respond as soon as possible to an improvement in the conservation status of the species management unit with a reclassification of the unit consistent with the guidance provided in 635-007-0509(1).
4. (4) In applying interim criteria, the Department recognizes that data may not be available to assess all populations belonging to a species management unit. The Department also recognizes that even when data for a population are available they may not be of sufficient detail or collected over a sufficient time period. In these circumstances, to determine if a population meets the interim criteria, it will be necessary to make inferences from those populations within the species management unit for which sufficient information is available or by using alternative qualitative and quantitative information and analyses to approximate interim criteria metrics. In evaluation of such species management units for conformity to the interim criteria, the Department shall document the assumptions and inferences associated in making this evaluation.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 496.012 & 496.138

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 496.171, 496.172, 496.176, 496.182, 496.430, 496.435, 496.445, 496.450 & 496.455

History

DFW 96-2003, f. & cert. ef. 9-19-03