[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30199-30200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14738]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 052698D]


Endangered Species; Permits

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application for a scientific research permit (1155); 
Issuance of scientific research permits (1092, 1124, 1127, 1132, 1134) 
and modifications to scientific research permits (822, 895, 946).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the following actions regarding 
permits for takes of endangered and threatened species for the purposes 
of scientific research and/or enhancement: NMFS has received a permit 
application from Dr. Tim King, Supervisory Fishery Biologist of Leetown 
Science Center, USGS (LSC-USGS) (1155); NMFS has issued permits subject 
to certain conditions set forth therein, to: Sierra Pacific Industries 
(SPI) (1092), Idaho Department of Fish and Game at Boise, ID (IDFG) 
(1124), Shoshone-Bannock Tribes at Fort Hall, ID (SBT) (1127), Mr. S. 
Gordon Rogers, of Satilla Management Associates, Inc. (SMA) (1132), and 
the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission at Portland, OR 
(CRITFC) (1134); and NMFS has issued permit modifications to: Fish 
Passage Center at Portland, OR (FPC) (822), U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers at Walla Walla, WA (Corps) (895), and the Fish Ecology 
Division of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NMFS at Seattle, WA 
(NWFSC) (946).

DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on any of the 
applications must be received on or before July 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for 
review in the following offices, by appointment:
    For permit 822, 895, 946, 1124, 1127, and 1134: Protected Resources 
Division (PRD), F/NWO3, 525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, Portland, OR 
97232-4169 (503-230-5400).
    For permit 1092: Protected Species Division, NMFS, 777 Sonoma 
Avenue, Room 325, Santa Rosa, CA 95404-6528 (707-575-6066).
    For permit 1132: Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 
Executive Center Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141).
    For permit 1155: Director, Northeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, One 
Blackburn Drive, Glouster, MA, 01930-2298 (978-281-9250).
    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 permit 822, 895, 946, 1124, and 
1127: Robert Koch, Portland, OR (503-230-5424).
    For permit 1092: Thomas Hablett, Protected Resources Division, 
(707-575-6066).
    For permits 1132 and 1155: Terri Jordan, Endangered Species 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, (301-713-1401).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    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 hearing is at the 
discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA. All 
statements and opinions contained in the below application summaries 
are those of the applicant and do not necessarily reflect the views of 
NMFS.
    Issuance of these permits and modifications 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.

Species Covered in This Notice

    The following species are covered in this notice: Chinook salmon 
(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), 
Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), Sockeye salmon 
(Oncorhynchus nerka) and Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

New Application Received

    LSC-USGS (1155) requests a 5 year permit to possess 90 samples of 
shortnose sturgeon DNA obtained from Dr. Isaac Wirgin (Permit #1107) 
for analysis of microsatellite DNA variation collected from three 
geographic populations of the species. Microsatellite analysis will be 
performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The genetic analysis will 
help determine the presence of a reproducing shortnose sturgeon 
population in the Chesapeake Bay. The genetic analysis is part of a 
larger project (Permit #1051) being undertaken by the US Fish and 
Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Maryland 
Department of Natural Resources, US Army Corps of Engineers, US 
Geological Survey and State University of New York entitled 
``Determination of whether a resident shortnose sturgeon population 
exists in Chesapeake Bay and assessment of sturgeon use of proposed 
dredged material placement sites''. Knowledge of this population and 
its relationship to other geographic populations will aid in 
development of conservation plans.

Permits and Modifications Issued

    Notice was published on March 6, 1998 (63 FR 11221), that an 
application had been filed by FPC for modification 5 to scientific 
research permit 822. Modification 5 to permit 822 was issued to FPC on 
May 26, 1998. Permit 822 authorizes FPC annual takes of juvenile, 
endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; juvenile, threatened, naturally 
produced and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook 
salmon; and juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon 
associated with the Smolt Monitoring Program (SMP). The objective of 
the SMP is to generate information on the migrational characteristics 
of various salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River Basin and 
to provide advice on the implementation of flow and spill measures to 
improve fish passage conditions in the Snake and Columbia Rivers. For 
modification 5, FPC is authorized annual takes of juvenile, endangered, 
naturally produced and artificially propagated, upper Columbia River 
(UCR) steelhead associated with the SMP. Modification 5 is valid for 
the duration of the permit. Permit 822 expires on December 31, 1998.
    Notice was published on February 24, 1998 (63 FR 9204), that an 
application had been filed by the Corps for modification 4 to 
enhancement permit 895. Modification 4 to permit 895 was issued to the 
Corps on May 26, 1998. Permit 895 authorizes the Corps annual

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takes of juvenile, endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon and juvenile, 
threatened, Snake River spring/summer and fall chinook salmon 
associated with the transport of fish around mainstem dams and 
downstream reservoirs on the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The purpose of 
the fish transportation program is to increase anadromous fish survival 
over the alternative of in-river passage, given current in-river 
migratory conditions. Permit 895 also authorizes the Corps annual 
incidental takes of ESA-listed adult fish associated with the operation 
of the juvenile fish transportation facilities. For modification 4, the 
Corps is authorized an annual direct take of juvenile, endangered, 
naturally produced and artificially propagated UCR steelhead associated 
with the juvenile fish transportation program. Also for modification 4, 
the Corps is authorized an annual incidental take of adult, endangered, 
UCR steelhead associated with fallbacks through hydropower dam juvenile 
bypass systems. Indirect and incidental mortalities of ESA-listed 
steelhead are authorized. Permit 895 is also extended through December 
31, 1999. Modification 4 is valid for the duration of the permit.
    Notice was published on March 24, 1998 (63 FR 14069), that an 
application had been filed by NWFSC for modification 4 to scientific 
research permit 946. Modification 4 to permit 946 was issued to NWFSC 
on May 19, 1998. Permit 946 authorizes NWFSC annual takes of juvenile, 
endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; adult and juvenile, threatened, 
naturally produced and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/
summer chinook salmon; and juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall 
chinook salmon associated with two scientific research studies. The 
studies are designed to assess the migration timing and relative 
survival of chinook salmon smolts transported by barge to below 
Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River with the survival to adulthood of 
smolts migrating volitionally inriver to Bonneville Dam and to the 
mouth of the Columbia River. For modification 4, NWFSC is authorized an 
increase in the takes of ESA-listed juvenile fish associated with the 
studies. Also for modification 4, NWFSC is authorized an annual take of 
juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, 
UCR steelhead associated with one of the studies. Modification 4 is 
valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 946 expires on December 
31, 1999.
    Notice was published on January 13, 1998 (63 FR 2364), that an 
application had been filed by SPI for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1092 was issued to SPI on May 26, 1998. Permit 1092 authorizes 
takes of juvenile, threatened, southern Oregon/northern California 
coastal coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies 
within the California portion of the evolutionarily significant unit. 
ESA-listed fish will be captured, handled, and released. Indirect 
mortalities associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 
1092 expires on June 30, 2003.
    Notice was published on February 19, 1998 (63 FR 8435), that an 
application had been filed by IDFG for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1124 was issued to IDFG on May 19, 1998. Permit 1124 authorizes 
IDFG annual takes of adult and juvenile, endangered, Snake River 
sockeye salmon; adult and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and 
artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon; and 
juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon associated with 
seven research tasks: (1) General fish population inventory; (2) 
Spring/summer chinook salmon natural production monitoring and 
evaluation; (3) Spring/summer chinook salmon supplementation research; 
(4) Redfish Lake, Pettit Lake, Alturas Lake kokanee/sockeye research; 
(5) Salmon and steelhead fish health monitoring; (6) Steelhead natural 
production monitoring and evaluation; and (7) Steelhead supplementation 
research. Permit 1124 expires on December 31, 2002.
    Notice was published on February 19, 1998 (63 FR 8435), that an 
application had been filed by SBT for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1127 was issued to SBT on May 19, 1998. Permit 1127 authorizes 
SBT annual takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced 
and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon 
associated with scientific research conducted throughout the Salmon 
River Basin in the state of ID. SBT will conduct six research tasks: 
(1) Snorkel surveys; (2) spawning ground surveys; (3) juvenile chinook 
salmon outmigrant monitoring in the East Fork and the West Fork Yankee 
Fork using a rotary screw trap and passive integrated transponder tags; 
(4) juvenile fish migration timing and movement at the Yankee Fork 
using fyke nets; (5) juvenile chinook salmon and steelhead abundance 
and condition factor estimates at the Yankee Fork using seines and 
electrofishing; and (6) juvenile chinook salmon parr monitoring. Permit 
1127 expires on December 31, 2002.
    Notice was published on Febrary 25, 1998 (63 FR 9505), that an 
application had been filed by SMA, for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1132 was issued to SMA on May 27, 1998. Permit 1132 authorizes 
the take of a maximum of 40 shortnose sturgeon from the Ogeechee (10) 
and Altamaha (30) rivers in Georgia to collect tissue samples of 
shortnose sturgeon in these rivers for genetic analysis in conjunction 
with previously permitted researchers. The sturgeon will be examined, 
measured, photographed, and tagged with conventional and PIT tags. 
Tissue samples will be taken from the right pectoral spine. The 
sturgeon will be released immediately following the above procedure. 
Permit 1132 expires on May 31, 2000.
    Notice was published on March 2, 1998 (63 FR 10198), that an 
application had been filed by CRITFC for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1134 was issued to CRITFC on May 27, 1998. Permit 1134 
authorizes CRITFC annual takes of juvenile, endangered, Snake River 
sockeye salmon; adult and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and 
artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon; 
adult and juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon; and 
adult and juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially 
propagated, UCR steelhead associated with scientific research in the 
Columbia and Snake River Basins in the Pacific Northwest. CRITFC will 
conduct eight research tasks: (1) Juvenile chinook salmon, steelhead, 
and coho salmon surveys; (2) juvenile anadromous salmonid outmigration 
studies; (3) chinook salmon and steelhead escapement surveys; (4) scale 
sampling at Bonneville Dam; (5) cryopreservation of chinook salmon and 
steelhead gametes; (6) gas bubble trauma sampling; (7) subyearling fall 
chinook salmon research; and (8) westslope cutthroat trout genetic 
inventory. Permit 1134 expires on December 31, 2002.

    Dated: May 29, 1998.
Patricia A. Montanio,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14738 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
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