SEATTLE (AP) — NOAA Fisheries Service is proposing habitat protection for the threatened Pacific smelt.
The proposal Wednesday would designate about 292 miles of freshwater creeks, rivers and estuaries in California, Oregon and Washington as critical habitat areas.
The small silvery fish also known as eulachon or candlefish face threats from climate change, declining river flows, and shrimp fishing. The fish received federal protection last March.
A public meeting is set for Jan. 26 in Portland, Ore.
