These data represent the critical habitat designated (October 20, 2011, 76 FR 65324) under the Endangered Species Act for the Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of eulachon.

The designated areas are a combination of freshwater creeks and rivers and their associated estuaries. In freshwater areas, critical habitat includes the stream channel and a lateral extent as defined by the ordinary high-water line (33 CFR 329.11). In areas where the ordinary high-water line has not been defined, the lateral extent is defined by the bankfull elevation. Bankfull elevation is the level at which water begins to leave the channel and move into the floodplain and is reached at a discharge which generally has a recurrence interval of 1 to 2 years on the annual flood series. In estuarine areas, critical habitat includes tidally influenced areas as defined by the elevation of mean higher high water. See the final rule (76 FR 65324) for descriptions of areas excluded from this critical habitat designation. No areas were excluded from designation based on economic impacts. Areas were excluded from the critical habitat designation for the following federally-recognized tribes: (1) Lower Elwha Tribe, Washington; (2) Quinault Tribe, Washington; (3) Yurok Tribe, California; and (4) Resighini Rancheria, California.