[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2364-2366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1050]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 010998A]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Permits
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of applications for scientific research permits 1059,
1072, 1074, 1075, 1088, 1092, 1114, 1115, and 1116. Issuance of
scientific research permits 1066, 1079, 1080, 1082, 1103, 1104,
modification 3 to permit 895, and amendments to permits 795, 1005, 822,
and 825.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following applicants have
applied in due form for permits that would authorize takes of an
endangered or threatened species for scientific research purposes: Carl
Page, in Cotati, CA (1059); U.S.D.I. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), in
Shasta Lake, CA (1072); Pacific Lumber Company (PLC), in Scotia, CA
(1074); Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA),
in Miranda, CA (1075); U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in
Arcata, CA (1088); Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), in Redding, CA
(1092); the State of Washington, Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
at Olympia, WA (1114); Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County
(PUDCC), at Wenatchee, WA (1115); and Public Utility District No. 1 of
Douglas County (PUDDC) at East Wenatchee, WA (1116).
Notice is also given that NMFS has issued scientific research
permits that authorize takes of Endangered Species Act-listed
anadromous fish species for the purpose of scientific research and/or
enhancement, subject to certain conditions set forth therein, to: D.W.
Alley and Associates (DWAA), Brookedale, CA (1066); Georgia-Pacific
West, Inc. (GPWI), Fort Bragg, CA (1079); Dr. Jerry J. Smith, San Jose
State University (SJSU), San Jose, CA (1080); Salmon Trollers Marketing
Association (STMA), Fort Bragg, CA (1082); the California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection (CDFFP), Santa Rosa, CA (1103); Louisiana-
Pacific Corporation (LPC), Trinidad, CA (1104); has issued a
modification to a permit to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps),
at Walla Walla, WA (895).
Notice is also given that NMFS issued amendments to permits to: the
Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), at Boise, ID (795); the
Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NMFS (NWFSC), at Seattle, WA
(1005); the Fish Passage Center (FPC), at Portland, OR (822); and the
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), at Portland, OR
(825).
DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on any of
these applications must be received on or before February 17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for
review in the following offices, by appointment:
For applications/permits 1059, 1066, 1072, 1074, 1075, 1079, 1080,
1082, 1088, 1092, 1103, 1104: Protected Species Division, NMFS, 777
Sonoma Avenue, Room 325, Santa Rosa, CA 95404-6528 (707 575-6066);
For applications/permits 895, 795, 1005, 822, 825, 1114, 1115,
1116: Protected Resources Division, F/NWO3, NMFS, 525 NE Oregon Street,
Suite 500, Portland, OR 97232-4169 (503-230-5400);
All documents may also be reviewed by appointment in the Office of
Protected Resources, F/PR3, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301-713-1401).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For permits 1059, 1066, 1072, 1074,
1075, 1079, 1080, 1082, 1088, 1092, 1103, 1104: Tom Hablett, Protected
Resources Division, NMFS Santa Rosa office, (707-575-6066).
For permits 1114, 1115, 1116: Tom Lichatowich, Protected Resources
Division, NMFS Portland office, (503-230-5438).
For permits 895, 795, 1005, 822, 825: Robert Koch, Protected
Resources Division, NMFS Portland office, (503-230-5424).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Permits are requested 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).
Those individuals requesting a hearing on these requests for
permits should set out the specific reasons why a hearing would be
appropriate (see ADDRESSES). The holding of such a
[[Page 2365]]
hearing is at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA. All statements and opinions contained in the above
application summaries are those of the applicant and do not necessarily
reflect the views of NMFS.
Issuance of these permits, modifications, and amendments, as
required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permits,
modifications, and amendments: (1) Were applied for in good faith; (2)
would not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species which are
the subject of the permits; and (3) are consistent with the purposes
and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. These permits,
modifications, and amendments were also issued in accordance with and
are subject to parts 217-222 of Title 50 CFR, the NMFS regulations
governing listed species permits.
Applications Received
Carl Page (1059) requests a five-year permit for takes of: adult
and juvenile, threatened, southern Oregon/northern California coast
(SONNC) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch); adult and juvenile,
threatened, central California coast coho salmon (Oncorhynchus
kisutch); and adult and juvenile, endangered, southern California coast
steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) associated with fish population and
habitat studies in coastal drainages throughout California. The studies
consist of coho salmon habitat and biological inventories, and project
monitoring and evaluation studies for which ESA-listed fish are
proposed to be taken. ESA-listed fish will be captured, anesthetized,
handled (identified and measured), allowed to recover from the
anesthetic, and released. ESA-listed salmon indirect mortalities
associated with the research are also requested.
BOR (1072) requests a five-year permit for takes of adult and
juvenile, threatened, SONNC coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
associated with monitoring projects in the Trinity, Klamath and New
River Basins within the Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). The
studies consist of coho salmon distribution and abundance surveys for
which ESA-listed fish are proposed to be taken. ESA-listed fish will be
captured, anesthetized, handled (identified and measured), allowed to
recover from the anesthetic, and released. ESA-listed salmon indirect
mortalities associated with the research are also requested.
PLC (1074) requests a five-year permit for takes of adult and
juvenile, threatened, SONNC coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
associated with fish population and habitat studies on PLC ownership
properties in basins of the Eel, Van Duzen, and Mattole Rivers,
Freshwater Creek, and coastal stream drainages to Humboldt Bay within
the ESU. The studies consist of coho salmon habitat and biological
inventories, and project monitoring and evaluation studies for which
ESA-listed fish are proposed to be taken. ESA-listed fish will be
captured, anesthetized, handled (identified and measured), allowed to
recover from the anesthetic, and released. ESA-listed salmon indirect
mortalities associated with the research are also requested.
PCFFA (1075) requests a five-year permit for takes of adult and
juvenile, threatened, SONNC coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
associated with fish population and habitat studies in the Eel River
Basin within the ESU. The studies consist of coho salmon distribution,
abundance and genetic surveys for which ESA-listed fish are proposed to
be taken. ESA-listed fish will be captured, anesthetized, handled
(identified and measured), allowed to recover from the anesthetic, and
released. ESA-listed salmon indirect mortalities associated with the
research are also requested.
BLM (1088) requests a five-year permit for takes of adult and
juvenile, threatened, SONNC coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
associated with fish population and habitat studies in the Eel and
Mattole River Basins, and Humboldt County coastal stream drainages
within the ESU. The studies consist of coho salmon distribution,
abundance and spawner surveys for which ESA-listed fish are proposed to
be taken. ESA-listed fish will be captured, anesthetized, handled
(identified and measured), allowed to recover from the anesthetic, and
released. ESA-listed salmon indirect mortalities associated with the
research are also requested.
SPI (1092) requests a five-year permit for takes of adult and
juvenile, threatened, SONNC coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
associated with fish population and habitat studies on SPI ownership
properties within the ESU. The studies consist of coho salmon habitat
and biological inventories for which ESA-listed fish are proposed to be
taken. ESA-listed fish will be captured, anesthetized, handled
(identified and measured), allowed to recover from the anesthetic, and
released. ESA-listed salmon indirect mortalities associated with the
research are also requested.
WDFW (1114) requests a five-year permit for a take of juvenile
endangered, naturally-produced and artificially-propagated, Upper
Columbia River steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) associated with a smolt
monitoring program at Rock Island Dam on the Columbia River. The
purpose of the program is to collect information on juvenile fish
migration timing, survival, travel timing, and general fish health. The
data will be used to make in-season adjustments to water releases from
upstream reservoirs that optimize downstream migration conditions. ESA-
listed juvenile fish are proposed to be collected in a permanent
inclined screen trap, anesthetized, examined and/or tagged with passive
integrated transponders (PIT), allowed to recover from the anesthetic,
and released. ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities associated
with the research are also requested.
PUDCC (1115) requests a five-year permit for takes of endangered,
naturally-produced and artificially-propagated, Upper Columbia River
steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) associated with two research studies.
The purpose of study one is to evaluate the juvenile fish bypass system
installed at Rock Creek Dam. Data collected will be used to test and
improve the surface collector system that guides juvenile salmonids
around the dam. ESA-listed juvenile fish are proposed to be collected
by surface collectors at the dam, anesthetized, examined and/or PIT-
tagged, allowed to recover from the anesthetic, and released. The
purpose of study two is to monitor juvenile fish gas bubble trauma at
Rocky Reach and Rock Island Dams on the Columbia River. The information
obtained will be used to determine how fish are affected by gas bubbles
and what can be done to minimize gas bubble trauma. ESA-listed juvenile
fish are proposed to be collected by surface collectors at the dams,
anesthetized, examined, allowed to recover from anesthetic, and
released. ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities associated with
both studies are also requested.
PUDDC (1116) requests a five-year permit for takes of endangered,
naturally-produced and artificially-propagated, Upper Columbia River
steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) associated with a study designed to
determine the survival and migration differences of juvenile fish as
they pass downstream through Lake Pateros and Wells Dam. ESA-listed
juvenile fish are proposed to be collected by rotary screw traps and/or
beach seines. All ESA-listed fish captured will be examined under water
and released into the
[[Page 2366]]
stream where captured without additional handling. The information will
be used to determine the appropriateness of utilizing selected
surrogate stocks in future survival studies in the mid-Columbia River.
ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities associated with the
research are also requested.
Permits Issued
Notice was published on September 18, 1997 (62 FR 48995) that an
application had been filed by DWAA (1066) to take threatened central
California coast coho salmon as authorized by the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) and the NMFS regulations
governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 217-222).
Permit 1066 was issued to DWAA on December 23, 1997. Permit 1066
expires on June 30, 2002.
Notice was published on September 11, 1997 (62 FR 47790) that an
application had been filed by GPWI (1079) to take threatened central
California coast coho salmon as authorized by the ESA. Permit 1079 was
issued to GPWI on December 23, 1997. Permit 1079 expires on June 30,
2002.
Notice was published on September 11, 1997 (62 FR 47790) that an
application had been filed by SJSU (1080) to take threatened central
California coast coho salmon as authorized by the ESA. Permit 1080 was
issued to SJSU on December 23, 1997. Permit 1080 expires on June 30,
2002.
Notice was published on September 18, 1997 (62 FR 48995) that an
application had been filed by STMA (1082) to take threatened central
California coast coho salmon as authorized by the ESA. Permit 1082 was
issued to STMA on December 23, 1997. Permit 1082 expires on June 30,
2002.
Notice was published on August 22, 1997 (62 FR 44646) that an
application had been filed by CDFFP (1103) to take threatened central
California coast coho salmon as authorized by the ESA. Permit 1103 was
issued to CDFFP on December 23, 1997. Permit 1103 expires on June 30,
2002.
Notice was published on August 22, 1997 (62 FR 44646) that an
application had been filed by LPC (1104) to take threatened central
California coast coho salmon as authorized by the ESA. Permit 1104 was
issued to LPC on December 23, 1997. Permit 1103 expires on June 30,
2002.
Modifications Issued
Notice was published on October 14, 1997 (62 FR 53319) that an
application had been filed by the Corps for modification 3 to
enhancement permit 895. Modification 3 to permit 895 was issued on
December 24, 1997. Permit 895 authorizes the Corps annual takes of
adult and juvenile, endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon
(Oncorhynchus nerka); adult and juvenile, threatened, naturally-
produced and artificially-propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook
salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha); and adult and juvenile, threatened,
Snake River fall chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) associated
with the operation of the Juvenile Fish Transportation Program at four
hydroelectric projects on the Snake and Columbia Rivers (Lower Granite,
Little Goose, Lower Monumental, and McNary Dams). For modification 3,
the Corps is authorized an increase in the annual incidental take of
adult, threatened, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon associated
with fallbacks through the juvenile fish bypass systems at the
projects. A corresponding increase in ESA-listed adult salmon
incidental mortalities are also authorized. Modification 3 is valid for
the duration of the permit. Permit 895 expires on December 31, 1998.
Amended Permits
Amendments to scientific research and/or enhancement permits 795,
1005, 822, and 825 were issued on December 29, 1997. The amendments
authorize an extension of each of the permits through May 31, 1998. The
permits were all due to expire on December 31, 1997. Extensions of the
permits are necessary to allow the permit holders to continue
activities while new permits are applied for and/or to allow them the
opportunity to develop take estimates of ESA-listed steelhead
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) for the applications. Permits 795 and 1005
authorize IDFG and NWFSC takes of adult and juvenile, endangered, Snake
River sockeye salmon associated with a captive broodstock program.
Permits 822 and 825 authorize FPC and CRITFC takes of juvenile,
endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; adult and juvenile, threatened,
naturally-produced and artificially-propagated, Snake River spring/
summer chinook salmon; and adult and juvenile, threatened, Snake River
fall chinook salmon associated with scientific research and monitoring
activities.
Dated: January 9, 1998.
Barbara A. Schroeder,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1050 Filed 1-14-98; 8:45 am]
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