[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 28 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6880-6882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3430]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 020499A]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications for scientific research permits (1194, 
1195, 1196) and modifications to scientific research permits (948, 998, 
1036); Issuance of scientific research permits (1181, 1183, 1184) and 
modifications to scientific research permits (895, 1124).

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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 permit 
applications from: NMFS, Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, 
WA (NWFSC)(1194), U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research 
Station in Corvallis, OR (USFS)(1195), and Washington Department of 
Fish and Wildlife in Olympia, WA (WDFW)(1196); NMFS has received 
applications for modifications to existing permits from: Northern Wasco 
County People's Utility District in The Dalles, OR (NWCPUD)(948), 
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Fort Hall, ID (SBT)(998), and U.S. 
Geological Survey in Cook, WA (USGS) (1036); NMFS has issued permits 
to: Mendocino Redwood Company (MRC)(1181), Ross N. Taylor (RNT)(1183), 
and Garcia and Associates (GAA)(1184); and NMFS has issued 
modifications to scientific research permits to: U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Walla Walla District at Walla Walla, WA (Corps) (895) and 
Idaho Department of Fish and Game at Boise, ID (IDFG)(1124).

DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on any of the 
applications must be received on or before March 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for 
review in the following offices, by appointment:
    For permits 895, 948, 998, 1036, 1124, 1194, 1195, and 1196: 
Protected Resources Division, F/NWO3, 525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, 
Portland, OR 97232-4169 (503-230-5400).
    For permits 1181, 1183, and 1184: 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 permits 895, 948, 998, 1036, 1124, 1194, 1195, and 1196: Leslie 
Schaeffer, Portland, OR (503-230-5433).
    For permits 1181, 1183, and 1184: Dan Logan, Protected Resources 
Division, Santa Rosa, CA (707-575-6066).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    Issuance of permits and permit modifications, as required by the 
ESA, is based on a finding that such permits/modifications: (1) Are 
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. Permits and modifications are 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 and evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) 
are covered in this notice:

[[Page 6881]]

    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Snake River (SnR) 
spring/summer, SnR fall, Upper Columbia River (UCR) spring
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Central California coast (CCC), southern 
Oregon/northern California coast (SONCC)
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): SnR
    Steelhead trout (O. mykiss): UCR, SnR, southern California coast 
(SCC)
    To date, neither a listing determination for UCR spring chinook 
salmon under the ESA, nor protective regulations for threatened SnR 
steelhead under section 4(d) of the ESA have been promulgated by NMFS. 
This notice of receipt of applications requesting takes of these 
species is issued as a precaution in the event that NMFS issues an UCR 
spring chinook salmon listing determination and/or SnR steelhead 
protective regulations. The initiation of a 30-day public comment 
period on the applications, including their proposed takes of UCR 
spring chinook salmon and/or SnR steelhead, does not presuppose a 
listing determination or the contents of the eventual protective 
regulations, respectively.

New Applications Received

    NWFSC (1194) requests a 5-year permit that would authorize annual 
direct takes of adult, threatened, artificially propagated, SnR spring/
summer chinook salmon and adult, endangered, artificially propagated, 
UCR steelhead associated with an evaluation of passive integrated 
transponder (PIT) tag interrogation systems at Bonneville Dam on the 
lower Columbia River. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the 
ability of the prototype PIT-tag detection systems to detect PIT-tagged 
adult salmon passing through the facility, and evaluate the effects of 
the detection systems on adult behavior as they approach and pass 
through the system. ESA-listed fish are proposed to be captured, tagged 
with PIT and Peterson disk tags, released in the adult ladder below the 
detection systems, and allowed to volitionally pass to the main adult 
fish ladder. ESA-listed adult fish indirect mortalities are also 
requested.
    USFS (1195) requests a 5-year permit that would authorize annual 
direct takes of juvenile, threatened, SnR fall chinook salmon and 
juvenile, threatened, SnR steelhead associated with a project designed 
to answer questions about life history strategies and the contribution 
of tributary production to overall steelhead abundance in the upper 
Grande Ronde River Basin. The study objectives are to continue long-
term monitoring of steelhead smolt production in the Meadow Creek 
Basin, to enumerate steelhead smolt production in McCoy Creek, and to 
describe the range and interaction(s) of life-history strategies used 
by steelhead in the Meadow Creek Basin. ESA-listed fish are proposed to 
be captured, sampled for biological data and/or tagged or fin-clipped, 
and released. A small percentage of fish will be released upstream and 
recaptured to allow for calculation of trap efficiency. ESA-listed 
juvenile fish indirect mortalities are also requested.
    WDFW (1196) requests a 5-year permit that would authorize annual 
direct takes of adult and juvenile, UCR spring chinook salmon. Takes of 
UCR spring chinook salmon are requested in anticipation of a possible 
listing decision of this species by NMFS. The program is intended to 
supplement naturally spawning populations of UCR spring chinook salmon 
and produce captive brood fish for stock preservation and recovery 
purposes. For the supplementation program, adult UCR spring chinook 
salmon are proposed to be collected for broodstock and spawned in a 
hatchery. Progeny are proposed to be reared in artificial production 
facilities and released into the Methow, Chewuch, Twisp, and Chiwawa 
Rivers. For the captive broodstock program, UCR spring chinook are 
proposed to be collected in the gamete, egg, fry, and/or smolt stage; 
marked and/or tagged; reared to spawning adult stage; and spawned with 
the resultant second generation of smolts released into the Methow, 
Chewuch, Twisp, and Chiwawa Rivers. Adult and juvenile fish indirect 
mortalities are also requested.

Modification Requests Received

    NWCPUD requests modification 3 to permit 948, which authorizes 
annual direct takes of juvenile, endangered, SnR sockeye salmon; 
juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, 
SnR spring/summer chinook salmon; juvenile, threatened, SnR fall 
chinook salmon; and juvenile, endangered, artificially propagated and 
naturally produced, UCR steelhead associated with a study designed to 
assess run of the river juvenile anadromous fish condition after 
passage through the screened turbine intake channel at The Dalles Dam, 
located on the Columbia River. For modification 3, NWCPUD requests 
annual direct takes of juvenile UCR spring chinook salmon in 
anticipation of a possible listing decision of this species by NMFS. 
ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities are also requested. 
Modification 3 is requested to be valid for the duration of permit 948, 
which expires on September 30, 1999.
    SBT requests modification 2 to permit 998, which authorizes annual 
direct takes of juvenile, endangered, SnR sockeye salmon and juvenile, 
threatened, naturally produced, SnR spring/summer chinook salmon 
associated with a study designed to evaluate smolt outmigration from 
Pettit and Alturas Lakes in Idaho. For modification 2, SBT requests an 
increased take of ESA-listed juvenile sockeye salmon for the purpose of 
conducting mark/recapture studies and to evaluate downstream mortality 
of the fish to the lower Snake River dams. ESA-listed juvenile sockeye 
salmon are proposed to be captured, anesthetized, tagged with passive 
integrated transponders, allowed to recover from the anesthetic, 
released upstream of the trap, recaptured, inspected for tags, and 
released. An associated increase in ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect 
mortalities is also requested. Modification 2 is requested to be valid 
for the duration of permit 998, which expires on December 31, 2000.
    USGS requests modification 2 to permit 1036, which authorizes 
annual direct takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, artificially 
propagated and naturally produced, SnR spring/summer chinook salmon; 
adult and juvenile, threatened, SnR fall chinook salmon; and adult and 
juvenile, endangered, artificially propagated and naturally produced, 
UCR steelhead associated with research designed to determine the post 
release attributes and survival of hatchery and natural fall chinook 
salmon in the Snake River. For modification 2, USGS requests annual 
takes of adult and juvenile UCR spring chinook salmon in the Hanford 
Reach of the Columbia River to predict the effects of reservoir 
drawdown on juvenile salmonids and their predators in free-flowing 
river reaches and to compare the effects with a similar study in the 
Hells Canyon Reach of the Snake River. Takes of UCR spring chinook 
salmon are requested in anticipation of a possible listing decision of 
this species by NMFS. Also for modification 2, USGS requests takes of 
ESA-listed juvenile fish associated with a change in the location of 
fish sampling for a race and residualism study. ESA-listed juvenile 
fish indirect mortalities are also requested. Modification 2 is 
requested to be valid for the duration of permit 1036, which expires on 
December 31, 2001.

Permits and Modifications Issued

    Notice was published on October 28, 1998 (63 FR 57666), that an 
application

[[Page 6882]]

had been filed by the Corps for modification 5 to enhancement permit 
895. Modification 5 to permit 895 was issued to the Corps on January 
28, 1999. Permit 895 authorizes the Corps annual direct takes of 
juvenile, endangered, SnR sockeye salmon; juvenile, threatened, 
naturally produced and artificially propagated, SnR spring/summer 
chinook salmon; juvenile, threatened, SnR fall chinook salmon; and 
juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, 
UCR steelhead associated with the operation of the Juvenile Fish 
Transportation program at four hydroelectric projects on the Snake and 
Columbia Rivers in the Pacific Northwest (Lower Granite, Little Goose, 
Lower Monumental, and McNary Dams). Permit 895 also authorizes the 
Corps annual incidental takes of adult salmonids associated with 
fallbacks through the juvenile fish bypass systems at the four dams. 
For modification 5, the Corps is authorized an increase in the annual 
direct take of juvenile, threatened, SnR fall chinook salmon. An 
associated increase in juvenile fall chinook salmon indirect 
mortalities is also authorized. Modification 5 is valid for the 
duration of the permit, which expires on December 31, 1999.
    Notice was published on November 18, 1998 (63 FR 64064), that an 
application had been filed by IDFG for modification 1 to scientific 
research permit 1124. Modification 1 to permit 1124 was issued to IDFG 
on January 28, 1999. Permit 1124 authorizes IDFG annual direct takes of 
adult and juvenile, endangered, SnR sockeye salmon; adult and juvenile, 
threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, SnR spring/
summer chinook salmon; and juvenile, threatened, SnR fall chinook 
salmon associated with scientific research in the state of Idaho. For 
modification 1, IDFG is authorized an increase in the annual direct 
take of juvenile, threatened, naturally produced, SnR spring/summer 
chinook salmon. IDFG underestimated parr production and emigration of 
this species in 1998. Modification 1 is valid for the duration of the 
permit, which expires on December 31,2002.
    Notice was published on October 21, 1998 (63 FR 56148), that an 
application had been filed by MRC for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1181 was issued to MRC on January 28, 1999, and authorizes takes 
of adult and juvenile, threatened, CCC coho salmon associated with fish 
population and habitat studies on MRC properties within the CCC ESU. 
ESA-listed fish may be observed or captured, anesthetized, handled, 
allowed to recover from the anesthetic, and released. Indirect 
mortalities are also authorized. Permit 1181 expires on June 30, 2004.
    Notice was published on October 21, 1998 (63 FR 56148), that an 
application had been filed by RNT for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1183 was issued to RNT on February 2, 1999. Permit 1183 
authorizes RNT takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, CCC and SONCC 
coho salmon in California, associated with fish population and habitat 
studies in the coastal stream drainages within the ESUs. ESA-listed 
fish will be captured, anesthetized, handled, allowed to recover from 
the anesthetic, and released. ESA-listed salmon indirect mortalities 
associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 1183 expires 
on June 30, 2004.
    Notice was published on November 18, 1998 (63 FR 64063), that an 
application had been filed by GAA for a scientific research permit. 
Permit 1184 was issued to GAA on February 2, 1999. Permit 1184 
authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, CCC coho salmon, 
and adult and juvenile, endangered, SCC steelhead associated with fish 
population and habitat studies throughout these ESUs. ESA-listed fish 
may be observed or captured, anesthetized, handled, allowed to recover 
from the anesthetic, and released. Indirect mortalities are also 
authorized. Additionally, fish rescue operations may be authorized by 
NMFS on a case-by-case basis. Permit 1184 expires on June 30, 2004.

    Dated: February 5, 1999.
Kevin Collins,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-3430 Filed 2-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F