[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 129 (Thursday, July 5, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35407-35408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16843]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 223

[I.D. 062701A]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

[[Page 35408]]


ACTION: Notice of final determination and discussion of underlying 
biological analysis.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has evaluated the Tribal Resource Management Plan (Tribal 
Plan) submitted by the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC), 
presented by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Portland, OR on behalf of 
the Northwest Indian Tribes for tribal research and assessment 
activities pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for Puget 
Sound chinook salmon under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Tribal 
Plan specifies the future scientific research and assessment activities 
in the Puget Sound region that potentially affect listed Puget Sound 
chinook salmon.
    This document serves to notify the public that NMFS, by delegated 
authority from the Secretary of Commerce, has determined that 
implementing and enforcing the Tribal Plan will not appreciably reduce 
the likelihood of survival and recovery of the Puget Sound chinook 
salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). This document also 
includes a summary of the underlying biological analysis used in the 
determination (Evaluation).

DATES: The determination of the take limit was made on June 14, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Protected Resources Division, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97232-2737.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie Schaeffer at: 503/230-5433, or 
e-mail: [email protected] regarding the Tribal Plan.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document is relevant to the Puget Sound 
chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) ESU

Background

    The NWIFC submitted a Tribal Plan, presented by the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs on behalf of the Northwest Indian Tribes for scientific 
research and assessment activities in the Puget Sound region affecting 
the Puget Sound chinook salmon ESU. The activities are intended to 
provide the technical basis for fisheries management and for the 
conservation and restoration of salmon stocks and their habitat. The 
Tribal Plan also includes implementation, monitoring, evaluation, 
enforcement, and reporting 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.
    On April 12, 2001, at 66 FR 18904, NMFS published a notice of 
availability for public review and comment on its Evaluation of how the 
Tribal Plan addressed the factors in Sec. 223.209 (65 FR 42481, July 
10, 2000) of the ESA Tribal Plan Limit.
    As required by Sec. 223.209 of the ESA Tribal Plan Limit, NMFS must 
determine whether the Tribal Plan would appreciably reduce the 
likelihood of survival and recovery of the Puget Sound chinook salmon 
and other affected threatened ESUs. NMFS must take comments on how the 
Tribal Plan addresses the factors in Sec.  223.209 in making that 
determination.

Discussion of the Biological Analysis Underlying the Determination

    The Tribal Plan describes tribal research and assessment activities 
in the Puget Sound region that provide the technical basis for 
fisheries management and for the conservation and restoration of salmon 
stocks and their habitat. The need for improved and more quantitative 
understanding of salmonid freshwater and marine survival motivates much 
of the current research. Many of the activities are also intended to 
provide information for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of 
habitat protection and restoration efforts. Tribal resource management 
entities cooperate with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 
and other state and local agencies in many research activities. The 
Tribal Plan describes only those activities that are principally funded 
through, and managed by, tribal agencies.
    The Tribal Plan is organized into three sections: (1) Spawning 
escapement surveys, (2) smolt production studies, and (3) habitat 
utilization and life history studies. Each section further describes 
the significance of the research and assessment activities and the 
sampling methods proposed.
    It is NMFS' determination that the research and assessment 
activities included in the Tribal Plan will not appreciably reduce the 
likelihood of survival and recovery of the ESU in the wild based on the 
current status of this ESU. This research-related take is not expected 
to reach a level that will significantly affect any single chinook 
population in the ESU.
    The Tribal Plan contains a section describing a protocol for 
assuring that the level and extent of take associated with the 
activities do not reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of 
this ESU. The Tribal Plan states that monitoring of take during the 
course of each activity will determine whether take and mortality are 
occurring at a level greater than the expected level. The Tribal Plan 
contains procedures whereby the overall impact of research and 
assessment activities can be regularly evaluated. Sampling methods and 
schedules will be altered as necessary to minimize take. Annual reports 
will include the actual take associated with each activity. NMFS will 
be informed when take exceeds the projected level for any activity and 
will be consulted regarding subsequent changes in methodology.
    NMFS Evaluation contains general and specific conditions and 
operating requirements the tribes will follow to have the Tribal Plan 
Limit apply. Further, the Evaluation contains reporting requirements, a 
modification process should the tribes propose new or modified 
research, and a reevaluation process. This information will be used by 
NMFS and the tribes at least annually or as needed to assess whether 
impacts to listed fish are as expected, and to revise the Tribal Plan 
as necessary.

Summary of Comments Received in Response to the Proposed Evaluation 
and Recommended Determination

    NMFS published notification of its evaluation and pending 
determination on the Tribal Plan for public review and comment on April 
12, 2001 (66 FR 18904). The public comment period closed on May 14, 
2001. NMFS received no comments concerning this document.
    Based on its Evaluation and the fact that no public comments were 
received, NMFS issued its final determination on the Tribal Plan on 
June 14, 2001.

Authority

    Under section 4 of the ESA, NMFS, by delegated authority from the 
Secretary of Commerce, is required to adopt such regulations as it 
deems necessary and advisable for the conservation of the species 
listed as threatened. The ESA Tribal Plan Limit (65 FR 42481, July 10, 
2000) states that the ESA section 9 take prohibitions will not apply to 
any activity undertaken by a tribe, tribal member, tribal permittee, 
tribal employee, or tribal agent in compliance with a Tribal Plan 
determined by NMFS to not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival 
and recovery of the listed salmonids.

    Dated: June 28, 2001.
Phil Williams,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16843 Filed 7-3-01; 8:45 am]
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