[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39960-39962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14669]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 060502B]


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 (1381, 
1382, and 1383) and receipt of applications to modify permits (1140, 
1156, 1309, 1317, 1322, and 1370).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS has received three new permit applications and six 
applications to modify existing scientific research permits related to 
Pacific salmon and steelhead. The proposed research is intended to 
increase knowledge of the listed species and to help guide management 
and conservation efforts.

DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on any of the new 
applications or modification requests must be received at the 
appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. 
Pacific daylight savings time on July 11, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on any of the new applications or 
modification requests should be sent to Protected Resources Division, 
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. Comments 
will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or the internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Stone, Portland, OR (ph: 503-
231-2317, Fax: 503-230-5435, e-mail: [email protected])

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Species Covered in this Notice

    The following ESA-listed species and evolutionary significant units 
(ESUs) are covered in this notice:
    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): threatened Puget Sound 
(PS); threatened Snake River (SnR) spring/summer and fall; endangered 
Upper Columbia River (UCR), threatened Lower Columbia River (LCR).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened Southern OR/Northern CA Coasts 
(SONCC), and threatened OR Coast (OC).
    Sockeye (O. nerka): endangered SnR.
    Chum (O. keta): threatened Columbia River (CR).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): endangered Upper Columbia River spring-run 
(UCR), threatened Middle Columbia River (MCR), threatened LCR, 
threatened SnR.

Authority

    Scientific research and/or enhancement permits are issued under 
Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et. seq). Issuance of permits and permit modifications, as 
required by the ESA, is based on a finding that such permit/
modifications: (1) are applied for in good faith; (2) if granted and 
exercised, would not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species 
that are the subject of the permit; and (3) are consistent with the 
purposes and policy of 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 ESA 
and NMFS regulations governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR 
Parts 222-226).
    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.

New Applications Received

Permit 1381

    The City of Bellingham requests a 2-year permit for annual takes of 
juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated PS 
chinook salmon associated with research to be conducted in the Whatcom 
Creek estuary. The purpose of the study is to determine a baseline 
usage of the project area by juvenile salmonids in order to monitor the 
effectiveness of integrated cleanup and habitat restoration plans 
implemented on the Holly Street Landfill. The City proposes to capture 
(using beach seines), anesthetize, handle, measure, and release up to 
10 juvenile, naturally produced and 13 juvenile, artificially 
propagated PS chinook salmon. In addition, the City of Bellingham is 
requesting indirect mortality of up to one juvenile, naturally produced 
and one juvenile, artificially propagated PS chinook salmon as a result 
of the study.

Permit 1382

    The Utah State University in Logan, UT (USU) requests a 3-year 
scientific research permit for annual takes of juvenile, threatened, 
MCR steelhead associated with a scientific research project proposed to 
occur in the Walla Walla River Subbasin in Washington and Oregon. The 
objective of the research is to assess the population densities and 
life-history characteristics of steelhead and bull trout (Salvelinus 
confluentus) in association with habitat quality and land use in the 
subbasin. Information collected from the research will be used in 
recovery planning and will provide a template for research, monitoring, 
and evaluation programs for steelhead and bull trout populations 
throughout the Walla Walla River Subbasin as well as other subbasins. 
Adult and juvenile, threatened, MCR steelhead are proposed to be 
observed/harassed during snorkel surveys. In addition, up to 10 MCR 
steelhead adults and up to 600 MCR steelhead juveniles are proposed to 
be captured, handled, and released using backpack electrofishing, 
seining, angling, and screw traps. Up to 3 percent of the ESA-listed 
juvenile steelhead handled may be indirectly killed.

Permit 1383

    The U.S. Geological Survey in Cook, WA (USGS) requests a 3-year 
permit for annual takes of juvenile and adult, threatened, LCR chinook 
salmon; threatened, MCR steelhead; threatened, LCR steelhead; and 
threatened, CR chum salmon associated with research to be conducted in 
selected watersheds between Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam. The 
objectives of the study are to (1) determine abundance, distribution, 
and life history patterns of anadromous and resident fishes, (2) 
identify populations and determine the status of steelhead and 
cutthroat trout (O. clarki), (3) restore and recover salmonid habitat, 
and (4) assess sympatric relationships between listed species and 
cutthroat trout. The USGS proposes to observe/harass juvenile and adult 
chinook salmon and steelhead and capture (using electrofishing and 
angling

[[Page 39961]]

equipment, seines, and minnow traps), anesthetize, handle, measure, and 
release up to 2400 juvenile LCR steelhead, 2050 juvenile MCR steelhead, 
20 CR chum salmon, and 2225 juvenile LCR chinook salmon. In addition, 
the USGS is requesting indirect mortality of up to one juvenile CR chum 
salmon as a result of the study. Up to 5 percent of the LCR chinook 
salmon, MCR steelhead, and LCR steelhead handled may be indirectly and/
or directly killed and provided to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Services's Lower Columbia River Fish Health Center to gain information 
on diseases in wild fish as part of the National Wild Fish Health 
Survey.

Modification Requests Received

Permit 1140-modification 3

    The Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, WA (NWFSC) 
requests an amendment (modification 3) to its permit for increased 
annual takes of juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and 
artificially propagated, PS chinook salmon associated with study 2 and 
a new study (study 3) to be conducted in Commencement Bay, Washington. 
The NWFSC is currently authorized under permit 1140 to annually take: 
threatened, juvenile, naturally produced and artificially propagated, 
PS chinook salmon; naturally produced and artificially propagated, SnR 
spring/summer chinook salmon; naturally produced and artificially 
propagated, UCR steelhead; SnR fall chinook salmon; UCR spring chinook 
salmon; SONCC coho salmon; and SnR sockeye salmon.
    Study 1. This study is 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 study will provide a better understanding of how environmental 
factors influence disease transmission.
    Study 2. This study evaluates the effects of shoreline development 
on nearshore fish and submerged aquatic plant assemblages. The NWFSC 
coordinates their work with the University of Washington who is 
studying the effects of shoreline development on supralittoral ecology. 
The study focuses on changes in diet and available prey resources for 
several fish species. The NWFSC is requesting an extension to this 
study. The pilot study will evaluate the efficacy of several sampling 
methods and approaches that are effective for sampling different 
habitat types. The results of the pilot study will aid in designing 
statistically based studies to compare abundance, residence time, 
habitat use, diet, and behavior of juvenile salmon along the City of 
Seattle's shorelines. These investigations will help resource managers 
identify potential impacts of nearshore activities on ESA-listed fish, 
prioritize recovery actions, and identify approaches that provide 
maximum protection to listed fish habitat. The NWFSC proposes to harass 
(using snorkel surveys and video cameras), capture, anesthetize, handle 
(examine stomach contents using non-lethal evacuation), and release up 
to 92 juvenile, naturally produced and five artificially propagated PS 
chinook salmon in addition to their current take. In addition, the 
NWFSC is requesting indirect mortality of up to four juvenile, 
naturally produced and one juvenile, artificially propagated PS chinook 
salmon as a result of the study.
    Study 3. The NWFSC proposes to monitor several sites in 
Commencement Bay for fish assemblage, habitat utilization, chemical 
contamination, and fish pathology information to evaluate the success 
of restoration activities. The NWFSC proposes to capture (using beach 
seines and trap/fyke nets), handle, and release up to 227 juvenile, 
naturally produced and 12 juvenile, artificially propagated PS chinook 
salmon in addition to their current take. The NWFSC also proposed to 
examine stomach contents using non-lethal evacuation. In addition, the 
NWFSC is requesting indirect mortality of up to 13 juvenile, naturally 
produced and one juvenile, artificially propagated PS chinook salmon as 
a result of the study.

Permit 1156-modification 2

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Corvallis, OR (EPA) 
requests a modification to permit 1156 for annual takes of adult and 
juvenile, threatened, OC and SONCC coho salmon associated with research 
designed to assess status and trends of surface waters in the Pacific 
Northwest in a statistically and ecologically rigorous manner as 
mandated by the Clean Water Act (CWA). The research is designed to 
collect data used to enforce the CWA which will increase the recovery 
potential of ESA-listed species in various rivers in the Pacific 
Northwest. The research will benefit ESA-listed fish by providing 
baseline information to support enforcement of the CWA in freshwater 
river systems where ESA-listed fish may be present. Dynamac Corporation 
is a cooperator with the scientific research and its biologists are 
authorized to act as agents of EPA in conducting the research. EPA/
Dynamac proposes to capture (using backpack or raft-mounted 
electrofishing), examine, and release up to 10 juvenile and two adult 
SONCC coho and five juvenile and two adult OC coho salmon. Adult OC 
coho salmon would be shocked but not netted during the activities. EPA/
Dynamac requests indirect mortality of up to one juvenile OC coho 
salmon and one juvenile SONCC coho salmon as a result of the research. 
The EPA has also requested that the USGS, Biological Resources 
Division, be allowed to act as an agent under the permit.

Permit 1309-modification 1

    The King County Department of Natural Resources in Seattle, WA 
(KCDNR) requests an amendment to permit 1309 for a project modification 
and increased annual takes of juvenile, threatened, artificially 
propagated, PS chinook salmon associated with study 1. The KCDNR is 
currently authorized annual takes of threatened juvenile, naturally 
produced and artificially propagated PS chinook salmon under three 
studies. The purpose of study 1 is to determine the presence of PS 
chinook salmon, improve understanding of juvenile salmon distribution, 
and to study their use of nearshore habitat in King County's lakes, 
streams, and marine nearshore habitat. The research will help determine 
the effectiveness of County programs at protecting and restoring 
habitat for PS chinook salmon. Study 1 consists of the following 
subtasks: (1) Agricultural watercourse monitoring, (2) the Cedar River 
restoration site monitoring, and (3) nearshore studies. The KCDNR is 
requesting authorization to capture ESA-listed fish using backpack 
electrofishing equipment. The KCDNR also proposes to examine the 
stomach contents (using non-lethal evacuation) from a subsample of PS 
chinook salmon captured under their current take authorization. In 
addition, the KCDNR requests authorization to lethally take up to 10 
juvenile, artificially propagated PS chinook salmon to collect coded 
wire tags.

Permit 1317-modification 1

    On April 12, 2002, a notice was published in the Federal Register 
(67 FR 17970) that NMFS received an application from the USGS for 
modification 1 to scientific research permit 1317. NMFS has received an 
amendment to that application from the USGS requesting (1) annual takes 
(capture, handle, and release) of adult, threatened, MCR steelhead 
associated

[[Page 39962]]

with the research, and (2) an additional task involving the non-lethal 
collection of gill tissue from juvenile, threatened, MCR steelhead to 
determine gill ATPase activity in steelhead smolts migrating through 
the wetland units at the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge in WA.

Permit 1322-modification 1

    On April 12, 2002, a notice was published in the Federal Register 
(67 FR 17970) that NMFS received an application from NWFSC for 
modification 1 to scientific research permit 1322. research. NMFS has 
received an amendment to that application from NWFSC requesting annual 
lethal takes (tissue, stomach content, scale, and otolith samples) of 
400 juvenile CR chum salmon for genetic and pathogenic examination. 
This information will help (1) provide a better understanding of how 
environmental factors influence disease transmission, (2) determine the 
role of disease as a factor affecting survival of juvenile salmonids, 
and (3) track juvenile salmon migration and early life history.
    On April 12, 2002, a notice was published in the Federal Register 
(67 FR 17970) that NMFS received an application from USU for a 1-year 
permit that would authorize takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, 
SnR spring/summer chinook salmon and adult and juvenile, threatened, 
SnR steelhead for the purpose of scientific research. NMFS has received 
an amendment to that application from USU requesting additional takes 
of ESA-listed SnR salmon and steelhead adults and juveniles associated 
with an additional 3-year study proposed to be conducted in the Imnaha 
River Subbasin in Oregon. The objective of the research is to assess 
the population densities and life history characteristics of steelhead 
and bull trout in association with habitat quality and land use in the 
subbasin. Information collected from the research will be used in 
recovery planning and will provide a template for research, monitoring, 
and evaluation programs for steelhead and bull trout populations 
throughout the Imnaha River Subbasin as well as other watersheds. Adult 
and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially 
propagated, SnR spring/summer chinook salmon and adult and juvenile, 
threatened, SnR steelhead are proposed to be observed/harassed during 
snorkel surveys. In addition, up to 20 adult, threatened, SnR spring/
summer chinook salmon; up to 1300 juvenile, threatened, naturally 
produced, SnR spring/summer chinook salmon; up to 150 juvenile, 
threatened, artificially propagated, SnR spring/summer chinook salmon; 
up to 15 adult, threatened, SnR steelhead; and up to 600 juvenile, 
threatened, SnR steelhead are proposed to be captured, handled, and 
released using backpack electrofishing, seining, angling, and screw 
traps. Up to 3 percent of the ESA-listed juvenile salmon and steelhead 
handled may be indirectly killed.

Permit 1370-modification 1

    Dated: June 6, 2002.
Margaret Lorenz,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-14669 Filed 6-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S