NOAA Proposes Removing Nine Miles of River From Steelhead Critical Habitat

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is proposing to remove a nine-mile stretch of river in Southern California from the list of critical habitat for endangered steelhead trout. The area in question includes parts of the Santa Clara River and lower Piru Creek, extending up to the base of Santa Felicia Dam.

Why it matters: This is an administrative adjustment to habitat maps rather than a major policy shift. It matters primarily for local landowners, water managers, and developers in Ventura County who might have faced stricter federal review requirements if their projects affected that specific river stretch. For most of the public, it clarifies where federal habitat protections apply.

Who it affects

• Landowners and property owners near the Santa Clara River and lower Piru Creek

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This is a proposed rule from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service; check the full Federal Register notice for the complete legal text and comment deadlines.

Agency: Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document