[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 142 (Monday, July 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44511-44512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-16959]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 071904D]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Applications for three scientific research permits and one 
permit modification.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received three scientific 
research permit applications-and one application to modify an existing 
permit-relating to Pacific salmon and steelhead. All of 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 applications or 
modification requests must be received at the appropriate address or 
fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific daylight-saving 
time on August 25, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the applications or modification 
requests should be sent to Protected Resources Division, NMFS, F/NWO3, 
525 NE Oregon Street, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97232-2737. Comments may 
also be sent via fax to 503-230-5435 or by e-mail to 
[email protected]. Additionally, comments may be submitted 
electronically through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: 
http:www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Garth Griffin, Portland, OR (ph.: 503-
231-2005, Fax: 503-230-5435, e-mail: [email protected]). Permit 
application instructions are available at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Species Covered in This Notice

    The following listed species and evolutionarily significant units 
(ESUs) are covered in this notice:
    Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka): endangered Snake River (SR).
    Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha): threatened natural and 
artificially propagated SR spring/summer (spr/sum); threatened SR fall; 
threatened lower Columbia River (LCR).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened SR; threatened LCR.
    Chum Salmon (O. keta): threatened Columbia River (CR).

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 regulations 
governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR 222-226). NMFS 
issues permits/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 policies of section 2 of the ESA. The authority to take 
listed species is subject to conditions set forth in the permits.
    Anyone 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 a hearing is 
at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA.

Applications Received

Permit 1403 - Modification 1

    The Northwest Fisheries Science Center is asking to increase the 
number of juvenile SR spring/summer chinook salmon (natural) and SR 
steelhead they take annually in the Salmon River subbasin, Idaho. The 
research encompasses two studies: Assessment of Three Alternative 
Methods of Nutrient Enhancement (Salmon Carcasses, Carcass Analogues, 
and Nutrient Pellets) on Biological Communities in Columbia River 
Tributaries, and Utilization of Nutrients from Spawning Salmon by 
Juvenile Chinook Salmon and Steelhead in the Columbia and Snake River 
Basins. The research has many purposes and would benefit listed salmon 
and steelhead in different ways. In general, the purpose of the 
research is to (a) learn how salmonids acquire nutrients from the 
bodies of dead spawners and test three methods of using those nutrients 
to increase growth and survival among naturally produced salmonids and 
(b) determine the extent to which juvenile steelhead and chinook use 
marine-derived nutrients and learn more about the relationships between 
juvenile salmonid body size, population density, and nutrient uptake. 
The research would benefit the fish by helping managers use nutrient 
enhancement techniques to recover listed salmonid populations. 
Moreover, managers would be able to gain a broader understanding of the 
role marine-derived nutrients play in ecosystem health as a whole. 
This, in turn, would help inform management decisions and actions 
intended to help salmon recovery in the future.
    Under these studies, the fish would variously be (a) captured 
(using seines, nets, traps and, possibly, electrofishing equipment) and 
anesthetized; (b) measured, weighed, and fin-clipped; (c) held for a 
time in enclosures in the stream from which they are captured; and (d) 
released. Both projects call for some juvenile listed fish to be 
intentionally killed as part of the research. It is also likely that a 
small percentage of the fish being captured would unintentionally be 
killed during the process. In addition, tissue samples would be taken 
from adult carcasses found on streambanks.

Permit 1487

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is requesting a 5-year 
research permit to annually capture, handle, and release juvenile LCR 
steelhead, LCR chinook salmon, and CR chum salmon. The research would 
take place in Cedar Creek, a tributary to the Lewis River in Washington 
State. The purpose of the research is to estimate the abundance and 
determine migration timing of recently-metamorphosed lamprey and 
juvenile salmonids. The research would benefit the fish by providing 
information on the population characteristics and, ultimately, would 
help managers assess population responses to recovery measures.
    The FWS proposes to capture the fish using rotary screw traps. Once 
captured, the salmonids would be anesthetized, identified to species, 
checked for marks and tags, allowed to recover, and released. The FWS 
does not intend to

[[Page 44512]]

kill any of the fish being captured, but a small percentage may die as 
an unintended result of the research activities.

Permit 1496

    The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is requesting a 5-year research 
permit to annually capture, handle, and release adult and juvenile LCR 
steelhead. The research would take place in Trout Creek, a tributary to 
the Wind River near Carson, Washington. The purpose of the research is 
to determine what effects Hemlock Dam has on steelhead migration and 
survival. The USFS intends to examine steelhead migration patterns, 
growth, survival, and spatial distribution within Hemlock Reservoir. 
The research would benefit the fish by providing information on the 
influence the dam has on parr and fry migration, fish residence time, 
and fish growth and survival in the reservoir. The results of the study 
would be included in the Hemlock Dam Environmental Impact Statement and 
would help managers make recommendations to remedy factors causing fish 
mortality.
    The USFS proposes to observe fish during snorkel surveys and 
capture fish using temporary weirs, beach seines, and backpack 
electrofishing equipment. Once captured, the fish would be 
anesthetized, weighed, and measured. Scale and stomach contents samples 
would then be taken, and the fish would be tagged with Passive 
Integrated Transponders, allowed to recover, and released. The USFS 
does not intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small 
percentage may die as an unintended result of the research activities.

Permit 1500

    The University of Idaho (UI) is seeking a 5-year research permit to 
annually capture, handle, and release juvenile SR sockeye salmon, fall 
chinook salmon, spr/sum chinook salmon, and steelhead. The research 
would take place in four reservoirs in the lower Snake River. The 
purpose of the research is to monitor predator and salmonid use of 
nearshore habitats in the reservoirs and thereby determine the short-
term potential for increasing salmonid productivity through various 
habitat-restoration activities. The researchers would monitor salmonid 
habitat use in a number of nearshore areas both before and after 
restoration activities have taken place. The UI would also monitor 
habitat use in areas that receive no treatment. The research would 
benefit listed fish by helping guide habitat restoration efforts in 
reservoirs across the region. The results of the study would be 
incorporated into various development and dredge disposal plans 
throughout the lower Snake River.
    The UI proposes to capture the fish using beach seines, minnow 
traps, and boat electrofishing equipment. The captured fish would be 
anesthetized, weighed and measured, and released. The UI does not 
intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small percentage 
may die as an intended result of the activities.
    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS 
will evaluate the applications, associated documents, and comments 
submitted to determine whether the applications meet the requirements 
of section 10(a) of the ESA and Federal regulations. The final permit 
decisions will not be made until after the end of the 30-day comment 
period. NMFS will publish notice of its final action in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: July 21, 2004.
Susan Pultz,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-16959 Filed 7-23-04; 8:45 am]
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