Critical to preserving historic properties and cultural resources in the pacific coast, NOAA Fisheries consults with local stakeholders before issuing federal funds under the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) program. IBSS coordinates and consults with the West Coast Region (WCR) state historic preservation officers (SHPOs) and respective Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) to ensure compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 and support efforts to reintroduce salmonids to historic habitats in the WCR. We administer data collection, stakeholder engagement, legal drafting, and formal communication services to help NOAA navigate projects, including:
- Salmonid Restoration Planning and Assessments
- Salmonid Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation
- Program Administration
- Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Acquisition
- Public Outreach, Education, and Landowner Recruitment
- Salmonid Hatcheries and Harvest Management
IBSS initially consulted with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. From these conversations, we identified several tribes willing to serve as consulting parties for long-term NHPA (106) compliance. IBSS nurtured these partnerships with local tribes and communities and tracked inputs and suggestions to draft Programmatic Agreements, THPO signatories, and Standard Operating Procedures. Our outreach efforts expanded NOAA Fisheries’ initial scope of contacts – further cultivating the Fisheries’ outreach and compliance with preservation efforts.