Other general exceptions also apply, including the application for an incidental take permit in connection with an approved habitat conservation plan. Activities Affected by the Rule NMFS has identified 16 activities that it believes are most likely to cause harm to listed steelhead. The agency intends to concentrate its enforcement action on these activities. The list of activities includes constructing structures that impede access to habitat, discharging pollutants into a stream, altering streamflows or removing water from a stream, adding sediment to a stream from land-use activities, filling side channels or intermittent waters, disturbing the riparian environment, and illegal fishing. Designation of Critical Habitat NMFS also has designated critical habitat within the three central California steelhead ESUs.
Critical habitat is the area occupied by steelhead or essential to the survival of steelhead.
The designation of critical habitat is important because no federal agency action may jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or adversely affect critical habitat. This consultation requirement means that NMFS will play a large role in project approval for projects located within steelhead critical habitat.