[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 161 (Wednesday, August 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50124-50125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21367]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 080703C]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Applications for scientific research permit modifications 
(1369, 1335).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS received applications to 
modify existing scientific research permits related to threatened 
Pacific salmon and steelhead. The proposed research is intended to 
increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts.

DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on the permit 
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 September 19, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the modification requests should be sent 
to Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, 
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: Garth Griffin, Portland, OR (ph: 503-
231-2005, Fax: 503-230-5435, e-mail: [email protected]). Permit 
applications are available at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 50125]]

Authority

    Scientific research permits are issued in accordance with Section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq.) and Federal 
regulations governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50CFR Parts 
222-226). NMFS issues permits and modifications based on findings that 
such permits and 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 and modifications.
    Anyone requesting a hearing on the permit modification application 
listed in this notice should set out the specific reasons why a hearing 
would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). The holding of such hearing is at 
the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA.

Species Covered in This Notice

    The following listed species and evolutionarily significant units 
(ESUs) are covered in this notice:
    Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha): threatened naturally produced and 
artificially propagated Puget Sound (PS).

Permit Applications Received

Permit 1335-Modification 3

    The U.S. Forest Service in Corvalis, Oregon requests a modification 
to permit 1335 for annual take of juvenile threatened artificially 
propagated PS chinook salmon associated with its current study in the 
Puget Sound basin, Washington State. The purposes of the research are 
to assess watershed conditions and factors limiting salmonid health and 
production, and evaluate watershed health under the Northwest Forest 
Plan. The activities will benefit listed fish by generating information 
to improve forest management.

Permit 1369-Modification 1

    The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks in 
Seattle, Washington requests a modification to permit 1369 for 
increased annual take of juvenile threatened naturally produced PS 
chinook salmon associated with an expansion of work sites under its 
current study. The purpose of the study is to investigate scientific 
issues pertaining to how salmonid habitat in King County can be 
protected while concurrently providing local farmers with the technical 
and regulatory means to drain their farmlands to continue agricultural 
production. This program will develop a comprehensive information base 
about the habitat quality; the extent of the current and potential 
salmonid use of habitat where most commercial agriculture occurs; and 
techniques to avoid, minimize, or mitigate agriculture-related impacts 
on listed salmonids and their habitat.
    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS 
will evaluate the applications and modification requests, associated 
documents, and any comments submitted to determine whether the 
applications and modification requests meet the requirements of section 
10(a) of the ESA and Federal regulations. NOAA will not make any final 
determinations until after the end of the 30 day comment period. NMFS 
will publish notice of its final action in the Federal Register.

    Dated: August 14, 2003.
Barbara Schroeder,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21367 Filed 8-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S