# 2026-13076: Feds Shrink Protected Stream for Steelhead by 9 Miles

2026-13076, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding and Proposed Rule To Revise Critical Habitat Designation for Southern California Steelhead, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-06-29, effective Comments on this proposed rule must be received by August 28, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-06).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13076
- As of: 2026-07-06
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-13076
- Title: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding and Proposed Rule To Revise Critical Habitat Designation for Southern California Steelhead
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 39046
- Published: 2026-06-29
- Effective: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by August 28, 2026.
- Comments close: 2026-08-28
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 0648-BO44
- Last updated: 2026-07-06

## In one line

Feds Shrink Protected Stream for Steelhead by 9 Miles

## Summary

The government is proposing to change the protected area for Southern California steelhead by removing a 9-mile stretch of stream near Santa Felicia Dam. This change comes after reviewing new data and a request from the United Water Conservation District. People have until August 28, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this update could affect local water and land use plans.

## Abstract

We, NMFS, announce a 12-month finding on a petition to revise the critical habitat designation under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the Southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) distinct population segment (DPS). The petition from the United Water Conservation District (UWCD) requests the removal of an approximately 9-mile (14.5-kilometer (km)) stream reach from the confluence of Hopper Creek and the Santa Clara River to the face of Santa Felicia Dam. Based on our review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that the petitioned action to remove this reach from the critical habitat designation is warranted. Consequently, we are proposing to remove this reach from the critical habitat designation for Southern California steelhead.

## Effects PRIA read

- Remove 9-Mile Stream From Protections: benefit, low. The agency is proposing to remove an approximately 9-mile (14.5-km) stream reach—from the confluence of Hopper Creek and the Santa Clara River upstream to the face of Santa Felicia Dam—from the designated critical habitat for Southern California steelhead. If finalized, this removal would eliminate…
- Fewer Federal ESA Consultations Locally: benefit, low. NMFS says removing the 9-mile stream reach would remove the requirement for Federal agencies to consult under ESA section 7 for Federal actions affecting that segment; as a result, applicants for Federal permits or authorizations tied to activities in that area may no longer face those consultation…
- Petition Cites Nearly $75M Economic Loss: cost, high. The petition submitted by the United Water Conservation District asserts that economic impacts tied to the critical-habitat designation for the hydrologic sub-area have totaled nearly $75 million, including about $64.6 million in lost water supply and about $10 million in compliance costs. NMFS doc…

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## Sources
- [2026-13076 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/29/2026-13076/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-12-month-finding-and-proposed-rule-to-revise-critical)
- [2026-13076 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-29/pdf/2026-13076.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-13073, Administrative Leave for Workforce Realignment and Other Purposes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13073)
- [Next: 2026-13123, Disclosure of Information](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13123)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13076 (as of 2026-07-06).