August 2, 2021: NOAA Fisheries has revised the critical habitat designation for Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW; Orcinus orca). The final rule maintains the previously designated critical habitat in inland waters of Washington and expands it to include certain coastal waters off Washington, Oregon, and California. The revision adds to critical habitat approximately 15,910 square miles of marine waters between the 6.1-meter and 200-meter depth contours from the U.S.-Canada border to Point Sur, California.
- Final Rule to revise the SRKW Critical Habitat Designation: August 2, 2021
- List of References Cited in the SRKW Critical Habitat Proposed Rule, July 2021
- Final Biological Report, July 2021
- Final Economic Report, July 2021
- Final ESA Section 4(b)(2) Report, July 2021
- 2021 Map Overview - Existing and Proposed Critical Habitat
- 2021 Map Detail - Existing and Proposed Critical Habitat
September 19, 2019: NOAA Fisheries proposes to revise the critical habitat designation for the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW; Orcinus orca). Designated critical habitat currently includes inland waters of Washington state. The proposed revision would expand the critical habitat designation to include six new areas along the U.S. West Coast. The six new areas include roughly 15,626 square miles of marine waters from the U.S.-Canada border to Point Sur, California.
- Proposed Rule to revise the SRKW Critical Habitat Designation and Request for Public Comments: 84 FR 49214, September 19, 2019
- Draft Economic Report, September 2019
- Draft Biological Report, September 2019
- Draft ESA Section 4(b)(2) Report, September 2019
- List of References Cited in the SRKW Critical Habitat Proposed Rule, September 2019
- 2019 Map Overview - Existing and Proposed Critical Habitat
- 2019 Map Detail - Existing and Proposed Critical Habitat
February 24, 2015: NOAA Fisheries announced a 12-month finding on a petition to revise the critical habitat designation for the Southern Resident killer whale. After reviewing the petition, public comments, and the best available information, we concluded that a revision is warranted and intend to proceed with a revision to critical habitat. In the Federal Register notice, we outline next steps for collecting and analyzing data, and for developing a proposed rule to revise critical habitat.
- 12-month Finding: 80 FR 9682, February 24, 2015
- Questions and Answers on 12-month finding on petition to revise Critical Habitat for Southern Resident killer whales
- References on 12-month finding
April 24, 2014: NOAA Fisheries accepted a petition to consider whether revising critical habitat for Southern Resident killer whales is warranted. We requested information on habitat needs and the West Coast area proposed for inclusion as critical habitat. We opened a public comment period that ended on June 24, 2014.
- 90-day Finding: 79 FR 22933, April 24, 2014
- Press Release
- Petition to revise critical habitat designation
- References for 90-day finding
Comments received on information on habitat needs and the West Coast area proposed for inclusion as critical habitat are posted to Regulations.gov. In the "Search" box enter the docket number, "NOAA-NMFS-2014-0041" and click the "Public Submission" box under the Document Type heading on the left side of the screen.
November 29, 2006: NOAA Fisheries designated critical habitat for the Southern Resident killer whales under the Endangered Species Act.
- Final Rule: 79 FR 69054, November 29, 2006
- Biological Report
- Economic Analysis
- ESA section 4(b)(2) Report
The dataset is intended to provide the public with a general basemap of areas designated as critical habitat for Southern Resident killer whales. Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information depicted. Maps produced from this dataset DO NOT constitute a legal description of critical habitat. For exact legal descriptions of the areas designated as critical habitat (as well as the specific areas not designated) please consult the Final Rule (79 FR 69054; November 29, 2006) and 50 CFR § 226.206.
