[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 168 (Friday, August 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 51995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22184]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 082103B]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION:  Notice of availability and request for comment.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that the Oregon Department of Fish and 
Wildlife (ODFW) has submitted a Fisheries Management and Evaluation 
Plan (FMEP) pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for 
Oregon Coast coho salmon under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The 
FMEP proposes a fishery for coho salmon in Siltcoos and Tahkenitch 
Lakes, located along the Oregon Coast. This document serves to notify 
the public of the availability of the FMEP for review and comment 
before a final approval or disapproval is made by NMFS.

DATES:  Written comments on the draft FMEPs must be received at the 
appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. 
Pacific daylight time on September 29, 2003.

ADDRESSES:  Written comments and requests for copies of the draft FMEP 
should be addressed to Lance Kruzic, NMFS, 2900 NW Stewart Parkway, 
Roseburg, OR 97470 or faxed to (541) 957-3386. The document is 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: Lance Kruzic, Roseburg, OR, at phone 
number (541) 957-3381, or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is relevant to the Oregon Coast 
coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Evolutionarily Significant Unit 
(ESU).

Background

    ODFW has submitted to NMFS an FMEP for a recreational fishery for 
coho salmon returning to Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes, located south 
of Florence, Oregon, in years when returns of coho salmon are high and 
expected to exceed specified spawning escapement guidelines. The 
objectives of the FMEP are to provide some fishing opportunity in years 
when coho salmon returns are high and in a manner that does not affect 
the viability of the local coho population and the Oregon Coast ESU as 
a whole. The FMEP specifies the monitoring and evaluation tasks for the 
proposed fishery.

Authority

    Under section 4 of the ESA, the Secretary of Commerce is required 
to adopt such regulations as he deems necessary and advisable for the 
conservation of species listed as threatened. The ESA salmon and 
steelhead 4(d) rule specifies categories of activities that contribute 
to the conservation of listed salmonids and sets out the criteria for 
such activities. The rule further provides that the prohibitions of 
paragraph (a) of the rule will not apply to activities associated with 
fishery harvest provided that those fisheries are managed in accordance 
with an FMEP that has been approved by NMFS and implemented in 
accordance with a letter of concurrence from NMFS.
    As specified in Sec.  223.203 (b)(4) of the ESA 4(d) Rule, NMFS may 
approve an FMEP if it meets criteria set forth in Sec.  223.203 
(b)(4)(i)(A) through (I). Prior to final approval of an FMEP, NMFS must 
publish notification announcing its availability for public review and 
comment.

    Dated: August 26, 2003.
Susan Pultz,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22184 Filed 8-28-03; 8:45 am]
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