[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19515-19518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9987]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 041499E]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications to modify scientific research/
enhancement permits (895, 900, 946, 1094, 1114, 1193); issuance of 
permits (1187, 1197); and modifications to existing permits (1115, 
1116).

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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 applications for modifications to existing 
permits from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Walla Walla, WA (Corps) 
(895), Fish Ecology Division, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 
in Seattle, WA (NWFSC) (900, 946), Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife in Olympia, WA (WDFW) (1094, 1114), and Fish Passage Center in 
Portland, OR (FPC) (1193); NMFS has issued permits to Mr. Stephen M. H. 
Connett, of St. George's School (SC-SGS) (1187) and Mr. John 
Crutchfield, of Harris Energy & Environmental Center (JH-HEEC) (1197); 
and NMFS has issued modifications to scientific research permits to 
Chelan County Public Utility District No. 1 (PUD-CC) (1115) and Public 
Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County (PUD-DC) (1116).


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DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on any of the 
new applications or modification requests must be received on or before 
May 21, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for 
review in the following offices, by appointment:
    For permits 895, 900, 946, 1094, 1114, 1115, 1116, 1193: Protected 
Resources Division, F/NWO3, 525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, Portland, 
OR 97232-4169 (503-230-5400).
    For permits 1187, 1197: Office of Protected Resources, Endangered 
Species Division, F/PR3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910 (301-713-1401).
    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, 900, 946, 1193: Leslie Schaeffer, Portland, OR 
(503-230-5433).
    For permit 1094: Robert Koch, Portland, OR (503-230-5424).
    For permits 1114, 1115, 1116: Tom Lichatowich, Portland, OR (503-
230-5438).
    For permits 1187, 1197: Terri Jordan, Silver Spring, MD (301-713-
1401).

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. Authority to take listed species is subject to conditions set 
forth in the permits. Permits and modifications are issued in 
accordance with and are subject to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) and NMFS regulations governing listed fish 
and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 217-227).

    Those individuals requesting a hearing on an application listed in 
this notice should set out the specific reasons why a hearing on that 
application would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). The holding of such 
hearing is at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries, NOAA. All statements and opinions contained in the permit 
action summaries are those of the applicant and do not necessarily 
reflect the views of NMFS.

Species Covered in this Notice

    The following species and evolutionarily significant units (ESU's) 
are covered in this notice:

Sea Turtles

    Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys 
imbricata), Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), Loggerhead 
turtle (Caretta caretta).

Fish

    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Snake River (SnR) fall, 
SnR spring/summer, Upper Columbia River (UCR) spring
    Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka): SnR
    Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): UCR
    Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum).

Modification Requests Received

    The Corps requests modification 6 to enhancement permit 895. 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. Permit 895 also authorizes the Corps annual 
incidental takes of ESA-listed adult salmonids associated with 
fallbacks through the juvenile fish bypass systems at the four dams. 
For modification 6, the Corps requests annual direct takes of juvenile, 
endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR spring 
chinook salmon. ESA-listed juvenile fish are proposed to be captured, 
transported past the dams, and released to aid their outmigration to 
the Pacific Ocean. ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities are 
also requested. Modification 6 is requested to be valid for the 
duration of the permit, which expires on December 31, 1999.
    NWFSC requests modification 7 to scientific research permit 900. 
Permit 900 authorizes NWFSC annual direct takes of juvenile, 
endangered, SnR sockeye salmon; juvenile, threatened, SnR fall chinook 
salmon; juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially 
propagated, SnR spring/summer chinook salmon; and juvenile, endangered, 
naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR steelhead 
associated with studies designed to determine the relative survival of 
migrating juvenile salmonids at hydropower dams and reservoirs on the 
Snake and Columbia Rivers in the Pacific Northwest. For modification 7, 
NWFSC proposes an increase in the annual take of ESA-listed juvenile 
fish associated with The Dalles Dam survival study. An increased annual 
take of ESA-listed juvenile fish is requested to validate previously 
collected survival data at 64 percent and 30 percent spill volume 
scenarios at The Dalles Dam. ESA-listed juvenile fish are proposed to 
be captured at John Day Dam on the Columbia River. The fish are 
proposed to be handled and released or tagged with passive integrated 
transponders, transported to The Dalles Dam, held for up to 24 hours, 
and released. Also for modification 7, NWFSC requests annual takes of 
juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated 
UCR spring chinook salmon associated with the research. An associated 
increase in ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities is also 
requested. Modification 7 is requested to be valid for the duration of 
the permit, which expires on December 31, 1999.
    NWFSC requests modification 6 to scientific research permit 946. 
Permit 946 authorizes NWFSC annual direct takes of juvenile, 
endangered, SnR sockeye salmon; adult and 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 a study designed to assess the migration 
timing and relative survival of transported and inriver juvenile 
chinook salmon migrating volitionally from Bonneville Dam to the mouth 
of the Columbia River. For modification 6, NWFSC requests an increase 
in the take of ESA-listed juvenile fish due to improvements in sampling 
equipment that are designed to speed passage of fish through a passive 
PIT tag detection system and reduce potential impacts from passage 
through the apparatus. Increased take is also requested due to the 
revised estimate for the number of fish thought to be available in the 
estuary in 1999. Also for modification 6, NWFSC requests annual takes 
of juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated 
UCR spring chinook salmon associated with the research. An associated

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increase in ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities is also 
requested. Modification 6 is requested to be valid for the duration of 
the permit, which expires on December 31, 1999.
    WDFW requests modification 2 to research/enhancement permit 1094. 
Permit 1094 authorizes WDFW annual direct takes of adult and juvenile, 
endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR 
steelhead associated with a hatchery supplementation program in the 
mid- to upper Columbia River Basin. Incidental takes of ESA-listed 
species resulting from WDFW hatchery operations and hatchery produced 
fish releases are also authorized by the permit. For modification 2, 
WDFW requests annual takes of ESA-listed adult steelhead associated 
with a radio tagging study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the 
ladder passage and fallback rates of adult steelhead at Priest Rapids, 
Wanapum, Rock Island, Rocky Reach, and Wells Dams on the mid-Columbia 
River. The goal of the study is to assure that safe passage conditions 
are being provided for returning ESA-listed adult fish at the dams. 
ESA-listed adult steelhead are proposed to be captured at Priest Rapids 
Dam, tagged with radiotransmitters, released, and tracked 
electronically as they migrate upstream. Grant Public Utility District 
(PUD), Chelan PUD, and Douglas PUD are requested to act as agents of 
WDFW in tracking the ESA-listed adult fish upstream. ESA-listed adult 
fish indirect mortalities are also requested. Modification 2 is 
requested to be valid for the duration of the permit, which expires on 
May 31, 2003.
    WDFW requests modification 3 to scientific research permit 1114. 
Permit 1114 authorizes WDFW annual direct takes of adult and juvenile, 
endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR 
steelhead associated with a smolt monitoring program at Rock Island Dam 
on the Columbia River in WA. For modification 3, WDFW requests an 
increase in the annual take of ESA-listed adult and juvenile steelhead 
associated with a new study to be conducted in the Hanford Reach of the 
Columbia River. Information from the study will be used to verify the 
spawning regime and exact stock of steelhead in the Hanford Reach to 
aid in developing future recovery plans for that section of the 
Columbia River. Adult steelhead are proposed to be captured by angling, 
sampled for biological data, fin clipped, and released. Eggs and alevin 
steelhead are proposed to be collected by excavating redds and 
sacrificed for genetic analysis. Steelhead fry are proposed to be 
collected with seines, sampled for biological data, fin clipped to 
obtain tissue samples, and released. ESA-listed juvenile steelhead 
indirect mortalities are also requested. Modification 3 is requested to 
be valid for the duration of the permit, which expires on December 31, 
2002.
    FPC requests modification 1 to scientific research permit 1193. 
Permit 1193 authorizes FPC annual direct takes of juvenile, endangered, 
SnR sockeye salmon, juvenile, threatened, SnR fall chinook salmon, 
juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, 
SnR spring/summer chinook salmon, and juvenile, endangered, naturally 
produced and artificially propagated, UCR steelhead associated with 
FPC's Smolt Monitoring Program at the hydropower dams on the Snake and 
Columbia Rivers in the Pacific Northwest. For modification 1, FPC 
requests an increase in the annual take of juvenile, threatened, 
naturally produced and artificially propagated, SnR spring/summer 
chinook salmon. An increased annual take is requested because a larger 
than anticipated outmigration run of this ESA-listed species is 
estimated in 1999. ESA-listed juvenile fish are proposed to be 
captured, handled (examined and/or tagged with passive integrated 
transponders), and released. An associated increase in ESA-listed 
juvenile fish indirect mortalities is also requested. Modification 1 is 
requested to be valid for the duration of the permit, which expires on 
December 31, 2003.

Permits and Modifications Issued

    Notice was published on February 4, 1999 (64 FR 5640), that an 
application had been filed by PUD-CC, for Modification 2 to permit 
1115. Permit 1115 authorizes a take of adult and juvenile, endangered, 
naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR steelhead 
associated with research. For Modification 2, PUD-CC is authorized an 
increase in annual takes of adult and juvenile, endangered, naturally 
produced and artificially propagated, UCR steelhead associated with 
three new proposed studies. PUD-CC will: (1) use new acoustic tagging 
technology to monitor the behavior of juvenile salmonids, (2) Use PIT 
and radio tagging technology to study the survival of juvenile 
salmonids, and (3) determine the number of adult salmonids that may be 
present in the Lake Chelan bypass reach after spill at the Lake Chelan 
hydroelectric project is curtailed. Modification 2 was issued on April 
14, 1999, and is valid for the duration of the permit, which expires on 
December 31, 2002.
    Notice was published on February 4, 1999 (64 FR 5640), that an 
application had been filed by PUD-DC for Modification 2 to permit 1116. 
Permit 1116 authorizes annual takes of juvenile, endangered, naturally 
produced and artificially propagated, UCR steelhead associated with 
research studies. For Modification 2 PUD-DC is authorized an increase 
in takes of juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially 
propagated, UCR steelhead for two new research studies. PUD-DC will use 
passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag technology to assess the 
survival of juvenile salmonids and will evaluate the relative benefits 
of PIT and radio tag technology. Modification 2 was issued on April 12, 
1999, and is valid for the duration of the permit, which expires on 
December 31, 2002.
    Notice was published on December 1, 1998 (63 FR 66125), that SC-SGS 
had applied for a 5-year scientific research permit (1187) to take up 
to 200 loggerhead, 300 green, 200 hawksbill, 5 leatherback, and 5 
Kemp's ridley sea turtles annually from the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. 
The purpose of this research is to obtain life history data on all 
turtles captured, and to determine migratory behavior and habitat 
utilization of juvenile turtles captured on foraging grounds. Turtles 
will be captured by hand and/or dip net, weighed, measured, flipper 
tagged, tissue sampled and released at the site of capture. This is a 
continuation of work permitted under scientific research permit 886 
which expired on December 31, 1998. Permit 1187 was issued on April 2, 
1999, and expires on December 31, 2003.
    Notice was published on February 4, 1999 (64 FR 5030), that JC-HEEC 
had applied for a 3-year research permit (1197) to take endangered 
shortnose sturgeon while conducting original research regarding the 
population of fishes in the Pee Dee River, NC. The Pee Dee River has 
been historically included in the shortnose sturgeon's native range. 
The applicant will be performing a baseline assessments of the resident 
and migratory fish species inhabiting the river below the Blewett 
Hydroelectric Plant. To ensure compliance with the ESA, the applicant 
requests a permit to capture, handle and release shortnose sturgeon 
that may be taken during this study. Permit 1197 was issued on April 5, 
1999, and expires January 31, 2002.


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    Dated: April 15, 1999.
Kevin Collins,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-9987 Filed 4-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F