[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 140 (Friday, July 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37947-37949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18205]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 062701C]


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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received applications for Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) scientific research permits from: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
in Eugene, OR; Cascade General, Inc. (CGI) in Portland, OR; Western 
Washington University (WWU) in Bellingham, WA; Lower Willamette Group 
(LWG) in Portland, OR; Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), NMFS 
in Seattle, WA; Weyerhaeuser in Federal Way, WA; King County Department 
of Transportation (KCDOT) in King County, WA; City of Bellingham, WA; 
Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, OR; Oregon Metallurgical 
Corporation (OREMET) in Portland, OR; United States Forest Service 
(USFS) in Corvallis, OR; Port Blakely Tree Farms (PBF) in Tenino, WA; 
and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Vancouver, WA.

DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on any of the new 
applications or the modification request must be received no later than 
5 p.m. Pacific daylight time on August 20, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the applications should be sent to 
Protected Resources Division (PRD), F/NWO3, 525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 
500, Portland, OR 97232-2737 (503/230-5400). Comments may also be sent 
via fax to 503/230-5435. The documents are also available on the 
Internet at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/. Comments will not be accepted if 
submitted via e-mail or the Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cherelle Blazer, Portland, OR, phone: 
503/231-2001, fax: 503/230-5435, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following ESA-listed evolutionary 
significant units (ESUs) are covered in this notice:
    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Threatened Snake River 
(SR) fall-run, Threatened SR spring/summer-run, Endangered Upper 
Columbia River (UCR), Threatened Upper Willamette River (UWR), 
Threatened Lower Columbia River (LCR), Threatened Puget Sound (PS)
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened Snake River Basin (SRB), 
Endangered UCR, Threatened Middle Columbia River (MCR), Threatened LCR, 
Threatened UWR
    Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Columbia River (CR)
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Endangered SR

New Applications Received

    BLM is seeking a 5-year permit (1256) to take adult and juvenile 
UWR chinook salmon and OC coho salmon in Wolf Creek, Siuslaw River, 
Esmond Creek Basin, North Creek, Pugh Creek, Bierce Creek, Siuslaw 
River mainstem, and Upper Lake Creek in OR. The purposes of the study 
are to: (1) collect data on fish abundance and presence, adult 
escapement, and habitat needs prior to stream enhancement; (2) evaluate 
habitat restoration projects, migration time, non-salmon species 
presence and smoltification size; and (3) perform watershed analysis. 
The study will benefit UWR chinook salmon and OC coho salmon by 
determining changes in fish habitat due to management projects as 
compared to natural fluctuation. BLM proposes to observe fish by 
snorkeling during habitat and spawning surveys, and capture (using 
backpack electrofishing, seining, dipnetting, and rotary trapping), 
handle, and release juvenile and adult salmonids. Some fish will be 
marked with a subcutaneous injection of colored dye using Panjet 
needles. BLM also requests juvenile fish indirect mortality associated 
with the study.
    CGI is seeking a 3-year permit (1326) to take adult and juvenile 
UWR chinook salmon, LCR chinook salmon, UWR steelhead, and LCR 
steelhead associated with scientific research to be conducted at Swan 
Island in the Portland Harbor located in the lower Willamette River. 
The purpose of this study is to test a freshwater air screen for use in 
preventing or minimizing fish entry onto a floating dry dock facility. 
The research will benefit listed species by determining their presence 
and testing new methods of moving fish away from dry dock areas during 
operations thus providing useful information for protecting listed 
species at dry dock facilities. CGI proposes to capture (using boat 
electrofishing and intake porthole nets), anesthetize, identify, 
measure, check for marks, weigh, and release juvenile salmonids. Adult 
fish that may be encountered will not be netted. CGI also requests 
juvenile fish indirect mortality associated with the study.
    WWU is seeking a 5-year permit (1327) to take adult and juvenile 
UWR chinook salmon and UWR steelhead on the Willamette and McKenzie 
Rivers. The purpose of this study is to identify and rank sources of 
stress in the watershed, create a valid process for differentiation 
between anthropogenic and natural impacts on streams used as receiving 
waters associated with pulp and paper mill operation, and make an 
ecological risk assessment specifically aimed at point-non-point source 
pollution in the Upper Willamette-Lower McKenzie watershed. The study 
will benefit UWR chinook salmon and UWR steelhead recovery through 
ecological assessment and stressor identification in the watershed. WWU 
proposes to capture (using boat electrofishing), identify, and release 
juvenile fish. No attempt will be made to net or capture adult listed 
fish. WWU also requests juvenile fish indirect mortality associated 
with the study.
    LWG is seeking a 4-year permit (1328) to take adult and juvenile 
UWR chinook salmon, LCR chinook salmon, UWR steelhead, and LCR 
steelhead during scientific research efforts on the Lower Willamette 
River. The purpose of

[[Page 37948]]

the study is to investigate juvenile salmon residence time and 
distribution and use the data to determine potential exposure of listed 
fish to contaminated sediment associated with an EPA superfund project. 
The study will benefit threatened species in the Portland harbor by 
generating population distribution information that can be used to 
design a remediation program to minimize sediment impacts, and aid 
management of future development and conservation of valuable fish 
habitat. LWG proposes to capture (using boat electrofishing), handle, 
anesthetize, measure, check for marks and tags, and release juvenile 
salmonids. Adult fish that may be encountered will not be netted. LWG 
also requests juvenile fish indirect mortality associated with the 
study.
    NWFSC is seeking a 5-year permit (1329) to take juvenile SR fall-
run chinook salmon, SR spring/summer-run chinook salmon, UCR chinook 
salmon, UWR chinook salmon, LCR chinook salmon, SRB steelhead, UCR 
steelhead, MCR steelhead, UWR steelhead, LCR steelhead, CR chum salmon, 
and SR sockeye salmon in the Lower Columbia River estuary. The purpose 
of the study is to determine the presence and abundance of fall and 
spring chinook salmon, coho salmon, and chum salmon in the estuary and 
Lower Columbia River; determine the relationship between juvenile 
salmon and Lower Columbia River estuarine habitat; and obtain 
information about flow change, sediment input, and habitat availability 
for the development of a numerical model. The study will benefit listed 
salmonids by serving as the basis for estuarine restoration and 
preservation plans for endangered salmonid stocks. The NWFSC proposes 
to place beach seines at eight sampling sites near the Astoria Bridge 
and trapnets in four sites in Cathlamet Bay. NWFSC proposes to capture, 
anesthetize, scan for tags, measure, weigh, and release juvenile 
salmonids. Monthly up to ten fish of each species at each of the twelve 
sampling sites are proposed to be sacrificed for stomach content, 
scale, and otolith analysis.
    Weyerhaeuser is seeking a 5-year permit (1330) to take juvenile LCR 
steelhead in Harrington Creek in the Toutle River Basin, WA. The 
purpose of the study is to increase understanding of the relationship 
between aquatic organisms and their habitat, determine how forest 
management and restoration influence the aquatic ecosystem, and produce 
reliable scientific data for the development of effective forest 
management practices that better protect aquatic resources. This 
research will benefit listed salmonids through data on the natural 
habitat recovery process and by identification of the consequences of 
various stressors to listed species. Weyerhaeuser proposes to observe 
fish during snorkeling surveys, capture (using backpack 
electrofishing), anesthetize, identify, measure, weigh, and release 
fish for data collection including water typing and population surveys. 
Weyerhaeuser also requests indirect mortality associated with this 
activity.
    KCDOT is seeking a 5-year permit (1331) to take juvenile PS chinook 
salmon associated with road maintenance activities to be conducted in 
multiple river basins in WA. KCDOT proposes to temporary exclude 
aquatic life from maintenance/construction areas in addition to 
evaluating the effectiveness of stream, culvert replacement, wetlands, 
and riparian habitat projects. Maintenance activities are to replace or 
upgrade stream crossing to allow fish passage. The activities will 
benefit PS chinook salmon by providing and improving access into 
previously inaccessible stream reaches for all life stages. The road 
maintenance activities may also include habitat improvements such as 
riparian plantings and in-stream habitat structures. KCDOT proposes to 
capture (using backpack electrofishing, seines, fry traps, and 
dipnets), handle, and release juvenile PS chinook salmon. KCDOT also 
requests indirect mortality associated with the study.
    The City of Bellingham is seeking a 3-year permit (1332) to take 
juvenile PS chinook salmon associated with scientific research to be 
conducted in the Nooksack River Basin of Whatcom County, WA. The 
purpose of the study is to gather information to prepare a Habitat 
Conservation Plan (HCP) addressing their diversion activities in the 
Nooksack River Basin. The proposed study will provide three types of 
information to help determine how flow volumes in the river affect the 
availability of habitat used by listed salmonids: (1) Fish distribution 
in the project area; (2) periodicity of fish occurrence in the project 
area; and (3) habitat use in the project area. The research will 
benefit PS chinook salmon by providing scientifically-sound, site-
specific data that will enable the City of Bellingham to develop an HCP 
addressing water withdrawal operations and habitat conservation 
measures that will minimize or avoid incidental take of listed species. 
The City of Bellingham proposes to capture (using beach seines and fyke 
nets), handle, and release juvenile PS chinook salmon. The City of 
Bellingham also requests indirect mortality associated with the study.
    OSU is seeking a 3-year permit (1333) to take adult and juvenile 
UWR chinook salmon, LCR chinook salmon, UWR steelhead, and LCR 
steelhead in the Willamette River, McKenzie River, and the Columbia 
River. The purpose of the study is to evaluate floodplain and riparian 
restoration, test the effectiveness of new assessment tools for 
conservation planning, and improve aquatic habitat. The study will 
benefit listed salmonids by helping to determine the actions needed to 
restore of ecological processes in salmon and steelhead habitat. OSU 
proposes to capture (using boat electrofishing), identify, measure, 
examine for abnormalities, and release juvenile fish. Adult fish that 
may be encountered will not be netted. OSU also requests juvenile fish 
indirect mortality associated with the study.
    OREMET is seeking a 3-year permit (1334) to take juvenile UWR 
chinook salmon and UWR steelhead in the Calapooia River and Oak Creek 
tributaries to the Willamette River. The purpose of the study is to 
evaluate stream health and occurrence of juvenile listed salmonids in 
areas downstream from a titanium plant and to determine the 
effectiveness of wastewater treatment. The benefit of the study on 
listed salmonids is the continued treatment of effluent which provides 
a consistent perennial flow of water in Oak Creek. OREMET proposes to 
use backpack electrofishing to capture fish which will then be 
measured, identified, and released.
    USFS is seeking a 5-year permit (1335) to take adult and juvenile 
CR chum salmon in three tributaries of the Columbia River in Washington 
state. The purpose of the study is to assess watershed conditions and 
limiting factors, and determine watershed health under the Northwest 
Forest Plan. The activities will benefit listed fish by providing the 
USFS with information to improve forest management. USFS proposes to 
capture (using backpack electrofishing), anesthetize, measure, and 
release fish. USFS also requests juvenile fish indirect mortality 
associated with the research.
    PBF is seeking a 2-year permit (1336) to take juvenile UWR chinook 
salmon, UWR steelhead, LCR chinook salmon, LCR steelhead, and OC coho 
salmon in various lakes, rivers, and creeks in the Willamette and 
Columbia River systems and Oregon coastal drainages. The purpose of the 
study is to evaluate factors limiting fish distribution in streams 
owned by PBF and to determine water quality. Data collected will 
benefit

[[Page 37949]]

listed fish by being used to conserve and restore critical habitat. PBF 
proposes to capture (using backpack electrofishing and dipnetting), 
handle, and release juvenile fish.
    OSU is seeking a 2-year permit (1337) to take adult and juvenile 
UWR chinook salmon and UWR steelhead in Rickreall Creek, OR. The 
purpose of the study is to assess the seasonal composition and 
distribution of fishes and determine associations of all life stages of 
fish with available habitat, level of disturbance, and hydrological 
patterns. The study will benefit listed salmonids by generating data 
that will aid in improved creek management. OSU proposes to capture 
(using dipnetting, beach seining, fyke and hoop netting, backpack 
electrofishing, angling, and trammel netting), handle, and release 
adult and juvenile fish. OSU also requests juvenile fish indirect 
mortality associated with the research.
    USFWS is seeking a 5-year permit (1338) to take adult and juvenile 
LCR chinook salmon, LCR steelhead, and CR chum salmon in Hardy Springs, 
Hamilton Springs, and the mainstem Columbia River. The purposes of the 
study are to: (1) examine factors limiting chum salmon production, (2) 
enhance and restore chum salmon production, (3) evaluate nearby 
tributaries for restoration, and (4) evaluate the relationship between 
mainstem Columbia River and tributary chum salmon populations. The 
study will benefit listed chum salmon by providing information on their 
freshwater life history that can be used in Columbia River water 
management and recovery planning. Adult listed fish are proposed to be 
captured (by seine, weir, or tangle net), anesthetized, bio-sampled, 
marked with a jaw tag or opercle punch, radio tagged, and released. 
Juvenile listed fish are proposed to be captured (by fyke net, weir, or 
screw trap), marked using a photonic dye injector or Bismark Brown Y, 
and released. USFWS also requests adult and juvenile fish indirect 
mortality associated with the study.

    Dated: July 16, 2001.
Phil Williams,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-18205 Filed 7-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S