Stronghold Partnership Endorses Nine Stronghold BasinsNews & Program Updates

Endorsed North American Salmon Stronghold Basins (click to enlarge map)

Following a rigorous two year, science-based process, a team of scientists organized by the Wild Salmon Center identified Stronghold populations for wild salmon and steelhead across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Criteria used to identify strong populations include abundance and productivity (viability), the percentage of natural origin spawners, and life history diversity.

The Steering Committee reviewed requests from local basin liaisons and endorsed nine Stronghold basins: John Day (OR), Sandy (OR), Siletz (OR), Elk (OR), Rogue-Illinois (OR), Smith (CA), Wenatchee (WA), Queets/Quinault (WA), and Lemhi (ID). This initial set of endorsed Stronghold basins represents a diverse array of conservation opportunities that the Steering Committee will consider during development of the Strategic Plan. The Steering Committee intends to focus attention and resources to support conservation, restoration, and protection of these strong populations and watersheds with high intrinsic potential.

In the coming months, the Stronghold Partnership Steering Committee will discuss how the Partnership can assist local leaders in addressing basin needs. With a foundation provided by local and regional plans, and leadership provided by partners and the basin liaison, the Stronghold Partnership will work collaboratively with basin interests to identify (and /or verify) limiting factors and high benefit actions. At the same time, the Partnership will discuss programmatic solutions to common challenges facing many or all Stronghold basins.