[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27076-27078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12363]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 050801B]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications for scientific research permits (1308, 
1309, 1310, 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315) and receipt of application to 
modify permit (1140).

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received new applications for permits and 
modifications for permits for takes of endangered and threatened 
species for the purposes of scientific research and/or enhancement 
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from the City of Kent Public 
Works in Kent, WA; King County Department of Natural Resources in 
Seattle, WA; King County Department of Transportation in Seattle, WA; 
the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NMFS in Seattle, WA; Olympic 
Resource Management in Aberdeen, WA; Pentec Environmental in Edmonds, 
WA; the Port of Seattle in Seattle; WA; and the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers in Seattle, WA.

DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on any of the new 
applications or modification requests must be received no later than 5 
p.m. Pacific daylight time on June 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on any of the new applications or 
modification requests should be sent to Protected Resources Division 
(PRD), F/NWO3, 525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97232-2737 
(phone: 503/230-5400). 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: Christopher Bill, Portland, OR, at 
phone: 503/230-5424, Fax: 503/230-5435, e-
mail:[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following ESA-listed species and 
evolutionary significant units (ESUs) are covered in this notice:
    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Threatened, naturally 
produced and artificially propagated, Puget Sound (PS); Threatened 
Lower Columbia River (LCR).
    Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Hood Canal (HC) summer-run; 
Threatened Columbia River (CR).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened Oregon Coast (OC).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened LCR.

New Applications Received

    The City of Kent Public Works (CKPW) requests a 2-year permit 
(1308) for annual takes of juvenile, naturally produced and 
artificially propagated PS chinook salmon associated with scientific 
research to be conducted in Mullen Slough, a tributary to the lower 
Green River. The purpose of the study is to determine habitat limiting 
factors that affect juvenile salmonids. The research will benefit PS 
chinook salmon by providing a spatial and temporal inventory of fish 
present in Mullen Slough and by helping guide King County in designing 
projects that will protect PS chinook salmon and fish resources. The 
study will also be used to guide future protection and restoration of 
critical habitat within the City of Kent and its urban growth area. 
CKPW proposes to observe/harass, capture (using electrofishing), 
handle, and release juvenile PS chinook salmon.
    The King County Department of Natural Resources (KCDNR) requests a 
5-year permit (1309) for annual takes of juvenile, naturally produced 
and artificially propagated PS chinook salmon associated with 
scientific research to be conducted under three studies in Washington 
State.
    Study 1. The purpose of study 1 is to determine the presence of PS 
chinook salmon and their use of nearshore habitat in King County's 
lakes, streams, and marine nearshore habitats. The research will 
benefit PS chinook salmon by determining the effectiveness of County 
programs at protecting, conserving, and restoring habitat for PS 
chinook salmon. KCDNR proposes to capture (using beach and purse 
seines, fyke nets, and minnow traps), handle, and release juvenile PS 
chinook salmon. KCDNR also requests indirect mortality associated with 
the study.
    Study 2. The purpose of study 2 is to determine juvenile salmonid 
utilization of off-channel rearing habitats in the Cedar River system 
in King County and Puget Sound nearshore habitat. The study will 
benefit PS chinook salmon by providing information about the effects of 
habitat restoration efforts and management activities. The study will 
also provide information about ESA-listed species' distribution. KCDNR 
proposes to capture (using fyke nets), handle, and release juvenile PS 
chinook salmon. KCDNR also requests indirect mortality associated with 
the study.
    Study 3. The purpose of study 3 is to collect information about PS 
chinook salmon survival and outmigration timing and to refine sampling 
methods for application to future studies of salmonid survival in the 
Green/Duwamish watershed. The research will benefit PS chinook salmon 
by providing information to help implement an effective salmon recovery 
plan. KCDNR proposes to capture (using beach seines and fyke nets), 
handle, scale sample, and release juvenile PS chinook salmon. KCDNR 
also requests indirect mortality associated with the study.
    The King County Department of Transportation (KCDOT) requests a 5-
year permit (1310) for annual takes of adult and juvenile, naturally 
produced and artificially propagated PS chinook salmon associated with 
scientific research to be conducted in multiple streams in King County, 
WA. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effectiveness of 
mitigation and enhancement of streams, wetlands, and riparian habitats 
associated with King County road projects. The research will

[[Page 27077]]

benefit PS chinook salmon by providing information to help minimize the 
effect of future road projects on listed species. KCDOT proposes to 
observe and harass adult and juvenile PS chinook salmon and capture 
(using electrofishing, dip nets, block nets, seines, and minnow traps), 
handle, and release juvenile PS chinook salmon. KCDOT also requests 
indirect mortality associated with the study.
    The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) requests a 5-year 
permit (1311) for annual takes of juvenile, naturally produced PS 
chinook salmon associated with scientific research to be conducted in 
multiple river basins in the Puget Sound and Washington basins. The 
purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of off-channel 
restoration efforts at increasing juvenile salmonid abundance and to 
study the formation and evolution of natural off-channel habitats. The 
research intends to determine the effectiveness of various off-channel 
habitat restoration techniques, and how to design and construct off-
channel habitat types that provide maximum benefits to salmonids. NWFSC 
proposes to observe/harass, capture (using electrofishing, smolt traps, 
and minnow traps), handle, and release juvenile PS chinook salmon. 
NWFSC also requests indirect mortality associated with the study.
    Olympic Resource Management (ORM) requests a 2-year permit (1312) 
for takes of juvenile, naturally produced and artificially propagated 
PS chinook salmon, juvenile HC summer-run chum salmon, juvenile CR chum 
salmon, juvenile LCR chinook salmon, and juvenile LCR steelhead 
associated with scientific research to be conducted in multiple river 
basins in western Washington State. The purpose of this study is to 
determine the presence of ESA-listed and other fish species. The 
research will benefit listed species by allowing landowners to make 
informed land management decisions to conserve listed salmonids. ORM 
proposes to capture (using electrofishing), handle, and release 
juvenile, naturally produced and artificially propagated PS chinook 
salmon, juvenile HC summer-run chum salmon, juvenile CR chum salmon, 
juvenile LCR chinook salmon, and juvenile LCR steelhead.
    Pentec Environmental (Pentec) requests a 5-year permit (1313) for 
annual takes of juvenile, naturally produced and artificially 
propagated PS chinook salmon associated with scientific research to be 
conducted under three studies in Washington State.
    Study 1. The purpose of study 1 is to minimize the potential 
effects of maintenance dredging on ESA-listed fish habitat in the 
Snohomish River. Pentec proposes to capture (using beach seines and 
fyke nets), handle, and release juvenile PS chinook salmon. Pentec also 
requests indirect mortality associated with the study.
    Study 2. The purpose of study 2 is to provide information on 
salmonid migration patterns and mitigation site usage in Commencement 
Bay. The mitigation site is planned to compensate for loss of habitat 
because of sediment remediation work occurring in Commencement Bay. The 
research will benefit PS chinook salmon by yielding information that 
will help determine if mitigation is successful. Pentec proposes to 
capture (using beach seines), handle, and release juvenile PS chinook 
salmon. Pentec also requests indirect mortality associated with the 
study.
    Study 3. The purpose of study 3 is to determine the distribution, 
status, and habitat availability for ESA-listed species in five streams 
that traverse SeaTac, Washington. The research will benefit PS chinook 
salmon by determining the effectiveness of program activities aimed at 
conserving PS chinook salmon and their habitat. Pentec proposes to 
capture (using electrofishing), handle, and release juvenile PS chinook 
salmon. Pentec also requests indirect mortality associated with the 
study.
    The Port of Seattle (The Port) requests a 2-year permit (1314) for 
annual takes of adult and juvenile naturally produced and artificially 
propagated PS chinook salmon associated with scientific research in 
southeast Elliot Bay. The results of the research will allow The Port 
to select a disposal site for dredged material that will have the least 
effect on PS chinook salmon. The research will benefit PS chinook 
salmon by providing life history data, information about the quality 
and quantity of habitat, and data on the availability of PS chinook 
salmon food sources. The Port proposes to observe/harass, capture 
(using beach seines), handle, and release adult and juvenile PS chinook 
salmon. The Port also requests indirect mortality associated with the 
study.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) requests a 5-year permit 
(1315) for annual takes of juvenile, naturally produced and 
artificially propagated PS chinook salmon associated with scientific 
research to be conducted under five studies in Washington State.
    Study 1. The purpose of study 1 is to determine the effectiveness 
of habitat restoration projects in tributaries of Lake Washington. The 
research will benefit PS chinook salmon by improving restoration 
projects and knowledge of chinook salmon habitat use in the Lake 
Washington watershed. COE proposes to capture (using beach seines, 
minnow traps, and hand nets), handle, mark, and release juvenile PS 
chinook salmon. COE also requests indirect mortality associated with 
the study.
    Study 2. The purpose of study 2 is to investigate fish passage 
conditions at the large lock chamber of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks 
and Lake Washington Ship Canal to identify effects on salmonids in the 
Lake Washington Basin. The research will benefit PS chinook salmon by 
identifying limiting factors contributing to smolt survival, developing 
smolt survival estimates, and assessing restoration measures to improve 
smolt survival. COE proposes to capture (using purse seins and screw 
traps), handle, mark/tag, and release juvenile PS chinook salmon. COE 
also requests indirect mortality associated with the study.
    Study 3. The purpose of study 3 is to document fish presence in 
various habitats in the Sammamish River. The research will benefit PS 
chinook salmon by identifying juvenile salmon habitat and restoration 
needs in the river. COE proposes to observe/harass, capture (using 
beach seines and electrofishing), handle, mark, and release juvenile PS 
chinook salmon. COE also requests indirect mortality associated with 
the study.
    Study 4. The purpose of study 4 is to determine juvenile salmon use 
of shoreline areas in Lake Washington and to direct restoration 
projects to enhance shoreline habitats. The research will benefit PS 
chinook salmon by identifying and directing restoration needs in the 
Lake Washington watershed. COE proposes to capture (using beach 
seines), handle, and release juvenile PS chinook salmon. COE also 
requests indirect mortality associated with the study.

Modification Requests Received

    The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) requests a 
modification to permit 1140, which authorizes annual takes of ESA-
listed fish species.
    Study 1. The take in study 1 is associated with a research study 
designed to assess the relationship between environmental variables, 
selected anthropogenic stressors, and bacterial and parasitic pathogens 
on disease-induced mortality of juvenile salmon in selected coastal 
estuaries in Oregon and Washington. The results of the study will 
benefit ESA-listed species by providing a better understanding of

[[Page 27078]]

how environmental factors influence disease transmission. For the 
modification, NWFSC requests annual takes of juvenile OC coho.
    Study 2. NWFSC requests annual takes of juvenile naturally produced 
and artificially propagated PS chinook salmon with an expansion of work 
locations associated with a new study (study 2) to be conducted in 
Puget Sound nearshore marine areas. The purpose of study 2 is to 
evaluate the effects of shoreline development on nearshore fish and 
submerged aquatic plant assemblages. NWFSC proposes to capture juvenile 
PS chinook salmon with beach seines, trap nets, fyke nets, and trammel 
nets and analyze their stomach contents. NWFSC also requests indirect 
mortality associated with the research. NWFSC requests the modification 
to be valid for the duration of permit 1140, which expires on December 
31, 2002.

    Dated: May 10, 2001.
Phil Williams,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-12363 Filed 5-15-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S