[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 251 (Monday, December 30, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 68721-68722] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-33178] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [I.D. 122396D] Endangered Species; Permits AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Receipt of an application for modification 1 to scientific research permit 991 (P599) and issuance of an amendment of enhancement permit 747 (P45H). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the California Department of Water Resources in Sacramento, CA (CDWR) has applied in due form for modification 1 to scientific research permit 991 and that an amendment of enhancement permit 747 was issued to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Sacramento, CA (FWS) authorizing takes of an endangered species. DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on the modification application must be received on or before January 29, 1997. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review in the following offices, by appointment: Office of Protected Resources, F/PR3, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301-713-1401); and Director, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (310-980-4016). Written comments or requests for a public hearing should be submitted to the Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CDWR requests modification 1 to permit 991, and the amendment of permit 747 was issued, under the authority of section 10 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531- 1543) and the NMFS regulations governing ESA-listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 217-227). [[Page 68722]] For modification 1 to permit 991, CDWR (P599) requests an additional annual take of juvenile, endangered, Sacramento River winter-run chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) associated with a new scientific research study. CDWR proposes a fisheries study of the Yolo Bypass, a floodplain adjacent to the Sacramento River where large numbers of salmon are trapped when high flows recede. The objectives of the study include estimation of the number of juvenile salmon diverted to, and successfully emigrating from, the Bypass; identification of habitats in the Bypass used for salmon rearing; estimation of the number of salmon trapped in the Yolo Bypass after floodwaters recede; and measurement of salmon growth and feeding in the Bypass versus the Sacramento River. Study results will be used to provide recommendations for ecosystem restoration options, to identify actions to minimize adverse effects to juvenile salmon, and to make habitat restoration efforts as harmless to fish as possible. ESA-listed fish will be captured in the Yolo Bypass, handled, and released in the mainstem Sacramento River. A percentage of associated indirect mortalities is also requested. Modification 1 is requested for the duration of the permit. Permit 991 expires on June 30, 1999. On November 27, 1996, NMFS amended FWS's enhancement permit 747 (P45H) extending the expiration date of the permit. Permit 747 was issued to FWS on August 8, 1991 and was due to expire on November 30, 1996. Permit 747 authorizes annual takes of adult and juvenile, endangered, Sacramento River winter-run chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) associated with an artificial propagation program at FWS's Coleman National Fish Hatchery and a captive broodstock program. In October, 1996, FWS applied for a new permit (P45W) to replace permit 747 (61 FR 53899, October 16, 1996). However, due to the time required to process the new permit request, permit 747 would have expired before the new permit could be issued. To avoid a lapse in FWS's endangered species take authorization, permit 747 was amended to expire on January 31, 1997. Those individuals requesting a hearing on the permit modification request should set out the specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA. All statements and opinions contained in the above application summary are those of the applicant and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMFS. Dated: December 23, 1996. Barbara Schroeder, Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-33178 Filed 12-27-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F