[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 17, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50746-50747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20319]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XY13


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION:  Applications for two new scientific research permits and one 
permit renewal.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received three 
scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific 
salmon. 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. The applications may be viewed 
online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm

DATES:  Comments or requests for a public hearing on the applications 
must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see 
ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on September 16, 
2010.

ADDRESSES:  Written comments on the applications should be sent to the 
Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, 
Portland, OR 97232-1274. Comments may also be sent via fax to 503-230-
5441 or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Garth Griffin, Portland, OR (ph.: 
503-231-2005, Fax: 503-230-5441, e-mail: [email protected]). 
Permit application instructions are available from the address above, 
or online at apps.nmfs.noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Species Covered in This Notice

    The following listed species are covered in this notice:
    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): threatened lower 
Columbia River (LCR), threatened upper Willamette River (UWR), 
endangered upper Columbia River (UCR), threatened Snake River (SR) 
spring/summer (spr/sum), threatened SR fall Chinook salmon.
    Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened Columbia River (CR).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened LCR, threatened UWR, threatened 
middle Columbia River (MCR), threatened SR, threatened UCR.
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened LCR, threatened Oregon Coast 
(OC).
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): endangered SR.

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 Parts 222-226). NMFS 
issues permits based on findings that such permits: (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. 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). Such hearings are held at the 
discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS.

Applications Received

Permit 1336 - 6R

    The Port Blakely Farms (PBF) is seeking to renew its permit to take 
juvenile UWR Chinook salmon, LCR Chinook salmon, UWR steelhead and LCR 
steelhead in headwater streams in

[[Page 50747]]

western Oregon and Washington. The purpose of the research is to 
evaluate factors limiting fish distribution and water quality in 
streams owned by PBF. The research would benefit listed salmonids by 
producing data to be used in conserving and restoring critical habitat. 
The PBF proposes to capture (using backpack electrofishing and 
dipnetting), handle, and release juvenile fish. The PBF does not intend 
to kill any fish being captured but some may die as an unintentional 
result of the research activities.

Permit 14668

    The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking a 
five-year permit to take listed salmonids while conducting the National 
Wild Fish Health Survey. The purpose of the research is to determine 
the distribution of the Spring Viremia virus in wild carp. The FWS 
would capture, handle, and release listed juvenile salmonids (UCR 
Chinook and steelhead, SR spr/sum and fall Chinook, SR steelhead, SR 
sockeye, MCR steelhead, LCR Chinook, LCR coho, LCR steelhead, CR chum, 
UWR Chinook and steelhead, and OC coho) while conducting the research 
on carp. The research would benefit listed species by helping managers 
determine the endemic extent of the virus. The FWS would use beach 
seines and boat and backpack electrofishing equipment to capture 
juvenile fish. Researchers would avoid contact with adult fish. If 
listed fish are captured during the research they would be released 
immediately. The researchers do not expect to kill any listed fish but 
a small number may die as an unintended result of the research 
activities.

Permit 15544

    The Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is seeking a two-year permit to 
take SR spr/sum and fall Chinook, SR steelhead., and SR sockeye while 
evaluating ways to manage dredged sediment on the Lower Snake River 
(Asotin to Pasco, WA). As part of the study, they would analyze the 
prospect of creating shallow water habitat that would benefit listed 
Snake River salmonids. The research would help the Corps develop a 
Programmatic Sediment Management Plan and associated Environmental 
Impact Statement for all four reservoirs on the lower Snake River. The 
proposed study would identify and characterize existing high-
suitability habitats for rearing salmonids and place an emphasis on 
capturing seasonal variability of specific life-stage habitat 
requirements. The information gained would help the fisheries 
management community make decisions regarding the short- and long-term 
influence of in-water dredge sediment disposal on salmonid. The fish 
would be captured using boat electrofishing equipment, tapping, and 
long-lining. Captured juvenile fish would be identified, measured, 
counted, and released. Adult salmonids would be avoided and the boat 
electrofisher will be turned off immediately if any are encountered. 
The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but a small 
number may die as an inadvertent 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: August 11, 2010.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-20319 Filed 8-16-10; 8:45 am]
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