[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 156 (Thursday, August 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43381-43383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21764]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 080698E]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of scientific research permits (1068, 1118, 1142, 
1143, 1147) and modifications to scientific research permits (844, 964, 
998, 1057, 1114, 1115)

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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 issued permits 
subject to certain conditions set forth therein, to: the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS)(1068 and 1118), the Fish Ecology Division of 
the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NMFS at Seattle, WA 
(NWFSC)(1142), Washington State Department of Natural Resources 
(WDNR)(1143), and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission at 
Portland, OR (CRITFC)(1147); and NMFS has issued modifications to 
scientific research permits to: the Idaho Department of Fish and Game 
at Boise, ID (IDFG)(844), NWFSC (964), the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes at 
Fort Hall, ID (SBT)(998), the U.S. Forest Service at Tiller, OR 
(USFS)(1057), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 
(WDFW)(1114), and the Chelan County Public Utility District No. 1 
(PUDCC)(1115).

DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on any of the 
applications must be received on or before September 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for 
review in the following offices, by appointment:
    For permits 844, 964, 998, 1057, 1114, 1115, 1118, 1142, 1143, and 
1147: Protected Resources Division (PRD), F/NWO3, 525 NE Oregon Street, 
Suite 500, Portland, OR 97232-4169 (503-230-5400).
    For permit 1068: Protected Species Division, NMFS, 777 Sonoma 
Avenue, Room 325, Santa Rosa, CA 95404-6528 (707-575-6066).
    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 844, 964, 998, and 1147: 
Robert Koch, Portland, OR (503-230-5424).
    For permits 1057, 1114, 1115, 1118, 1142, and 1143: Tom 
Lichatowich, Portland, OR (503-230-5438).
    For permit 1068: Thomas Hablett, Protected Resources Division, 
(707-575-6066).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    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.

Species Covered in this Notice

    The following species are covered in this notice: Chinook salmon 
(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Coho salmon (O. kisutch), Cutthroat trout 
(O. clarki clarki), Sockeye salmon (O. nerka), and Steelhead trout (O. 
mykiss).

Permits and Modifications Issued

    Notice was published on June 24, 1998 (63 FR 34366), that an 
application had been filed by IDFG for modification 6 to incidental 
take permit 844. Modification 6 to permit 844 was issued to IDFG on 
July 31, 1998. Permit 844 authorizes IDFG an annual incidental take of 
adult and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced, Snake River spring/
summer chinook salmon and adult, threatened, Snake River fall chinook 
salmon associated with the State of Idaho's sport-fishing programs. For 
modification 6, IDFG is authorized an increase in the incidental take 
of adult, threatened, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon 
associated with a salmon sport fishery on the upper South Fork of the 
Salmon River. The fishery will target non-listed adult, adipose fin-
clipped, artificially propagated, summer chinook salmon. The fishery 
will be terminated when quotas are achieved,

[[Page 43382]]

the authorized mortality level of ESA-listed adult fish is reached, or 
August 4, 1998, whichever occurs first. Modification 6 is valid in 1998 
only. Permit 844 expires on December 31, 1998.
    Notice was published on May 29, 1998 (63 FR 29382), that an 
application had been filed by NWFSC for modification 1 to scientific 
research permit 964. Modification 1 to permit 964 was issued to NWFSC 
on July 20, 1998. Permit 964 authorizes NWFSC takes of juvenile, 
endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; juvenile, threatened, Snake 
River fall chinook salmon; and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced 
and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon 
associated with a juvenile fall chinook salmon transportation study. 
The purpose of the study is to compare the adult recoveries of run-of-
the-river subyearling chinook salmon transported around the hydropower 
dams on the Columbia River using state-of-the-art facilities and 
technologies versus those migrating inriver under as favorable passage 
conditions as possible. For modification 1, NWFSC is authorized takes 
of juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially 
propagated, upper Columbia River (UCR) steelhead associated with the 
research. Also for modification 1, juvenile, ESA-listed, Snake River 
fall chinook salmon that will be taken under permit 964 are authorized 
to be transported to The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River and used for 
the survival study under NWFSC's permit 900. Modification 1 is valid 
for the duration of the permit. Permit 964 expires on December 31, 
1998.
    Notice was published on February 19, 1998 (63 FR 8435), that an 
application had been filed by SBT for modification 1 to scientific 
research permit 998. Modification 1 to permit 998 was issued to SBT on 
July 8, 1998. Permit 998 authorizes SBT annual takes of juvenile, 
endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon associated with a study designed 
to evaluate the destiny of the ESA-listed juvenile sockeye salmon that 
were released into Pettit Lake in Idaho from the Idaho Department of 
Fish and Game's captive broodstock program. An evaluation of the 
productivity of the fish in Pettit Lake is necessary to make management 
decisions on future releases of the progeny from the captive broodstock 
program. For modification 1, SBT is authorized an increase in the 
annual takes of ESA-listed juvenile sockeye salmon associated with a 
similar study at Alturas Lake in Idaho. Also for modification 1, SBT is 
authorized an annual take of juvenile, threatened, naturally produced, 
Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon associated with the Alturas 
Lake research. Modification 1 is valid for the duration of the permit. 
Permit 998 expires on December 31, 2000.
    Notice was published on June 10, 1998 (63 FR 31739), that an 
application had been filed by USFS for Modification 1 to Permit 1057. 
Modification 1 was issued on August 4, 1998, and authorizes USFS to 
take Umpqua River cutthroat trout in a larger area of the South Umpqua 
River Basin. The information gathered will be used to establish fish 
distribution maps to clarify impacts of projected timber harvest in the 
South Umpqua River. Modification 1 is valid for the duration of the 
permit. Permit 1057 expires on December 31, 1998.
    Notice was published on December 17, 1997 (62 FR 66053), that an 
application had been filed by USFWS for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1068 was issued to USFWS on June 15, 1998. Permit 1068 
authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, southern Oregon/
northern California coast (SONCC) coho salmon associated with fish 
population and habitat studies within the California portion of the 
ESU. ESA-listed fish will be captured, handled, and released. Indirect 
mortalities associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 
1068 expires on June 30, 2003.
    Notice was published on May 15, 1998 (63 FR 27055), that an 
application had been filed by WDFW, for a modification to permit 1114. 
Modification 1 to permit 1114 was issued on July 29, 1998. Permit 1114 
authorizes a take of juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and 
artificially propagated, UCR steelhead associated with a smolt 
monitoring program at Rock Island Dam on the Columbia River. 
Modification 1, authorizes WDFW to take adult, endangered, UCR 
steelhead, and is valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 1114 
expires on December 31, 2002.
    Notice was published on May 15, 1998 (63 FR 27055), that an 
application had been filed by PUDCC, for a modification to permit 1115. 
Modification 1 to permit 1115 was issued on July 29, 1998. Permit 1115 
authorizes a take of juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and 
artificially propagated, UCR steelhead associated with two research 
studies. Modification 1 authorizes PUDCC to take adult, endangered, UCR 
steelhead. ESA-listed adults will be collected in a permanent bypass 
pipe at Rocky Reach Dam, handled to determine hatchery or wild origin, 
and released. The information will be used to design operational 
measures to enhance adult passage survival at the dam. Modification 1 
is valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 1115 expires on 
December 31, 2002.
    Notice was published on March 2, 1998 (63 FR 10198), that an 
application had been filed by USFWS for a 5-year research/enhancement 
permit. Permit 1118 was issued on July 30, 1998, and authorizes takes 
of endangered, artificially propagated, UCR steelhead associated with 
USFWS's role in an UCR steelhead supplementation program. The receipt, 
rearing, and release of ESA-listed fish at USFWS's Winthrop Hatchery 
will spread the risk of a catastrophic accident at one facility which 
could have serious consequences to one brood year. Permit 1118 expires 
on May 31, 2003.
    Notice was published on May 29, 1998 (63 FR 29382), that an 
application had been filed by NWFSC for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1142 was issued to NWFSC on July 20, 1998. Permit 1142 
authorizes NWFSC takes of juvenile, endangered, Snake River sockeye 
salmon; juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially 
propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon; juvenile, 
threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon; and adult and juvenile, 
endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR 
steelhead associated with a study designed to evaluate the effects of 
the new juvenile bypass/sampling facility at John Day Dam (located on 
the lower Columbia River) on migrating salmonids. The information will 
be used to identify and correct any problem areas associated with the 
bypass system with the ultimate goal of increasing juvenile salmonid 
survival at the dam. Permit 1142 expires on December 31, 1998.
    Notice was published on April 16, 1998 (63 FR 18891), that an 
application had been filed by WDNR for a 1-year research permit. Permit 
1143 was issued on June 26, 1998, and authorizes direct takes of 
juvenile, endangered, naturally produced, UCR steelhead associated with 
salmonid presence/absence surveys in proposed timber sale areas. Permit 
1143 expires on December 31, 1999.
    Notice was published on April 23, 1998 (63 FR 20169), that an 
application had been filed by CRITFC for a scientific research/
enhancement permit. Permit 1147 was issued to CRITFC on July 14, 1998. 
Permit 1147 authorizes CRITFC an annual direct take of adult and 
juvenile, threatened, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon 
associated with a

[[Page 43383]]

supplementation program at Johnson Creek of the South Fork Salmon River 
in Idaho. The objectives of CRITFC's program are to: (1) Establish an 
annual supply of chinook salmon broodstock capable of meeting annual 
supplementation objectives, (2) restore and maintain natural spawning 
populations of chinook salmon in Johnson Creek, (3) manage the program 
to increase survival and supplement natural production of chinook 
salmon in Johnson Creek, (4) increase nutrient enrichment into Johnson 
Creek, and (5) reestablish sport and tribal fisheries for chinook 
salmon. Permit 1147 does not authorize releases of juvenile fish from 
the Johnson Creek supplementation program. When monitoring/evaluation 
and long-term broodstock management plans are received and approved by 
NMFS and an Environmental Assessment is completed, NMFS will make a 
decision on amending permit 1147 to authorize juvenile fish releases 
from the program. Permit 1147 expires on December 31, 2002.

    Dated: August 7, 1998.
Patricia A. Montanio,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21764 Filed 8-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F