[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 168 (Monday, August 31, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 46218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23358]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 082198B]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Receipt of an application for a scientific research permits 
(1176) and for a modifications to a scientific research permit (944).

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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 Mr. W. Coleman Long, Chief of US Army Corps of 
Engineers, Wilmington (COE)(1176); and NMFS has received an application 
for a modification to an existing permit from Dr. Boyd Kynard, Section 
Leader, Fish Behavior of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)(944).

DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on any of the 
applications must be received on or before September 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for 
review in the following offices, by appointment:
    For permit 1176: Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 
Executive Center Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141).
    For permit 944: 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: Terri Jordan, Endangered Species 
Division, Silver Spring, MD (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.

New Application Received

    COE (1176) has requested a 1-year permit to use hatchery bred 
shortnose sturgeon, (Acipenser brevirostrum), to test the potential 
impacts of deepening Wilmington harbor in North Carolina. The applicant 
proposes to place hatchery raised sturgeon in wire cages below the 
surface and subject them to a series of tests blasts to determine the 
effect that the harbor deepening will have on wild sturgeon in the 
harbor. During the test blasting, additional protective measures will 
be taken to prevent wild sturgeon from being affected - these measures 
include: relocation of any wild sturgeon found to be in the area prior 
to the blasts and air bubble curtains. Due to contract awards schedule, 
the test blast schedule would likely begin in December of 1998 and may 
continue through January, 1999.

Modification Request Received

    USGS requests a modification to permit #944, which would grant 
permission to relocate endangered shortnose sturgeon located below 
Holyoke Dam, Massachusetts, above the dam and to modify the technique 
currently being used for tagging shortnose sturgeon to an IE tag placed 
internally with the antennae extending through the body wall.

    Dated: August 24, 1998.
Kevin Collins,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-23358 Filed 8-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F