[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 71 (Thursday, April 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 18904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9105]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D.033001A]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission submitted a Tribal 
Resource Management Plan (Tribal Plan), presented by the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs on behalf of the Northwest Indian Tribes, pursuant to 
the protective regulations promulgated for Puget Sound chinook salmon 
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Tribal Plan describes 
research and assessment activities that may affect listed Puget Sound 
chinook salmon. This document serves to notify the public of the 
availability for comment of the proposed evaluation of the Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary) as to how the Tribal Plan addresses the criteria 
in the ESA.

DATES: Written comments on the Secretary's proposed evaluation must be 
received at the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no 
later than 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on May 14, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests for copies of the proposed 
evaluation should be addressed to Leslie Schaeffer, Protected Resources 
Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 525 NE Oregon Street, 
Portland, OR 97232-2737. Comments may also be sent via fax to 503/230-
5435. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or the 
Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie Schaeffer at phone number: 503/
230-5433, or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is relevant to the Puget Sound 
chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Evolutionarily Significant 
Unit (ESU).

Background

    The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission submitted a Tribal Plan, 
presented by the Bureau of Indian Affairs on behalf of the Northwest 
Indian Tribes, for scientific research and assessment activities within 
the range of the Puget Sound chinook salmon ESU. The Northwest Indian 
Tribes conduct, independently and in cooperation with other agencies, a 
variety of research and assessment projects. These projects provide the 
technical basis for fishery management and the conservation and 
restoration of salmon stocks and their habitat. The need for improved 
and more quantitative understanding of freshwater and early marine 
survival drives much of the current research. The Tribal Plan includes 
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation procedures designed to 
ensure the research is consistent with these objectives. The research 
activities described in the Tribal Plan span a 5-year period beginning 
on January 1, 2001.
    As required by 50 CFR 223.209, the Secretary must determine whether 
the Tribal Plan for Puget Sound chinook salmon would appreciably reduce 
the likelihood of survival and recovery of the Puget Sound chinook 
salmon and other affected threatened ESUs. The Secretary must take 
comments on how the Tribal Plan addresses the criteria in Sec. 223.209 
in making that determination. Authority
    Under section 4 of the ESA, the Secretary is required to adopt such 
regulations as he deems necessary and advisable for the conservation of 
the species listed as threatened. The ESA Tribal 4(d) rule (65 FR 
42481, July 10, 2000) states that the ESA section 9 take prohibitions 
will not apply to Tribal Plans that will not appreciably reduce the 
likelihood of survival and recovery for the listed species.

    Dated: April 6, 2001.
Phil Williams,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-9105 Filed 4-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S