[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 63295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25481]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC274


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Receipt of application for scientific research and enhancement.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received one scientific 
research and enhancement permit application request relating to 
anadromous species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The 
proposed research activities are intended to increase knowledge of the 
species and to help guide management and conservation efforts. The 
application and related documents may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm. These 
documents are also available upon written request or by appointment by 
contacting NMFS by phone (916) 930-3607 or fax (916) 930-3629.

DATES: Written comments on the permit applications must be received at 
the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 
p.m. Pacific standard time on November 15, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the permit application should be 
submitted to the Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 650 Capitol Mall, 
Room 5-100, Sacramento, CA 95814. Comments may also be submitted via 
fax to (916) 930-3629 or by email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amanda Cranford, Sacramento, CA (ph.: 
916-930-3706, email.: [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Species Covered in This Notice

    This notice is relevant to federally threatened California Central 
Valley (CCV) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), threatened Central Valley 
(CV) spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), and endangered 
Sacramento River (SR) winter-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha).

Authority

    Issuance of permits and permit modifications, as required by the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (ESA), is based on 
a finding that such permits/modifications: (1) Are applied for in good 
faith; (2) would not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species 
which are the subject of the permits; and (3) are consistent with the 
purposes and policies set forth in 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 a 
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.

Application Received

Permit 17428

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife 
Office is requesting a 5-year scientific research and enhancement 
permit to take adult spawned carcasses, smolt, and fry CCV steelhead, 
juvenile SR winter-run Chinook salmon, and juvenile CV spring-run 
Chinook salmon associated with research activities in the American 
River, downstream of the Watt Avenue Bridge, in Sacramento County, 
California. In the studies described below, researchers do not expect 
to kill any listed fish but a small number, up to 8.5 percent may die 
as an unintended result of the research activities.
    Two to four rotary screw traps (RSTs) will be deployed on the 
American River downstream of the Watt Avenue Bridge from 2013 through 
2017. Each year, RSTs will be operated 5 to 7 days each week between 
January 1 and June 30. As traps are operated, data will be collected on 
fish abundance, trap operational status, and environmental 
characteristics at the trap site. Trap operations will focus on the 
collection of the juvenile life stage of CCV steelhead listed pursuant 
to the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and non-listed fall-run 
Chinook salmon. Other fish species will be collected on an incidental 
basis. If salmon that may be federally listed spring- or winter-run 
Chinook salmon are captured, fin clips will be taken so those samples 
can be used in genetic studies to determine which runs are actually 
present. The lengths of a representative sample of up to 100 
individuals of each fish species will be measured each day. Weights 
from 25 salmon will be quantified each day. Captured fish will be 
released alive immediately downstream of the RSTs.
    The proposed monitoring project does not include activities 
designed to intentionally result in the death of listed taxa. Ten 
measures designed to reduce adverse effects relating to the monitoring 
project will be undertaken, e.g., servicing traps each day so none of 
the captured fish experience a hold time in excess of 24 hours. If 
juvenile salmonids are found dead or accidentally killed during 
trapping activities, they will be salvaged for future studies. Data 
summaries and analyses will be presented in annual reports prepared 
each year trapping occurs. After five years of data collection, the 
principal investigators will develop a report evaluating fish responses 
to habitat restoration activities in the watershed, and whether future 
management activities should be modified to enhance the abundance, 
production, condition, and survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead.

    Dated: October 11, 2012.
Larissa Plants,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-25481 Filed 10-15-12; 8:45 am]
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