[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 60 (Thursday, March 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18963-18965]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07226]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC592


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Receipt of three permit applications for scientific research 
and enhancement.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received three scientific 
research and enhancement permit applications 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. These documents 
are also available upon written request or by appointment by contacting 
NMFS by phone (916) 930-3706 or fax (916) 930-3629.

DATES: Written comments on the permit applications or modification 
request must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see 
ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on April 29, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents may be viewed online 
at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm. 
Written comments on the applications or modification request 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 steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), threatened Central Valley 
spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), endangered Sacramento River 
winter-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), and the threatened southern 
distinct population segment of North American (SDPS) green sturgeon 
(Acipenser medirostris).

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Authority

    Scientific research permits are issued in accordance with section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) 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 which are the subject of the 
permits; and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set 
forth in 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 the permit applications listed in 
this notice should set out the specific reasons why a hearing on the 
application(s) would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such hearings are 
held at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NMFS.

Applications Received

Permit 17551

    The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Region II (CDFW) is 
requesting a 5-year scientific research and enhancement permit to take 
juvenile SDPS green sturgeon associated with research activities in the 
Central Valley, California. Incidental mortality of SDPS green sturgeon 
is not expected to occur and therefore none is requested for Permit 
17551. The overall goal of this project is to increase knowledge with 
regards to the behavior of young of the year and yearling SDPS green 
sturgeon from the Sacramento River and their presumed nursery grounds 
of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and subsequently the ocean staging 
habitat of San Francisco Bay. There is virtually no information on 
size, age, or potential environmental cues contributing to movements to 
and between these two unique habitats. Information on timing, survival, 
and transition rates through the bay and Delta region are necessary for 
understanding potential risks to juvenile green sturgeon. The study 
proposed for Permit 17551 will be a collaborative effort between the 
University of California Davis Biotelemetry Laboratory and CDFW. 
Objectives are to: (1) Develop capture methods for monitoring of 
juvenile green and white sturgeon in the lower Sacramento River and 
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, (2) describe spatial and temporal 
movements during emigration from the lower Sacramento River to the 
tidally influenced reaches of the upper Delta, (3) assess the seasonal 
migration and survival through engineered flood plains (Yolo Bypass) 
and (4) describe spatial and temporal use of the Sacramento-San Joaquin 
Delta and behavior and emigration timing to San Francisco Bay. CDFW is 
proposing to capture (tangle nets, modified fyke nets), measure, weigh 
and acoustically tag up to 100 juvenile green sturgeon per year.

Permit 17918

    FISHBIO Environmental is requesting a 5-year scientific research 
and enhancement permit to take adult and juvenile CCV steelhead, 
associated with research activities in the Tuolumne River from the 
Hickman Bridge (river mile [RM] 31.5) downstream to the confluence with 
the San Joaquin River (RM 0), in the Central Valley of California. 
Specific information obtained by this study will update and supplement 
information from prior studies in order to: (1) Estimate relative 
abundance of predator fish species such as largemouth bass (Micropterus 
salmoides), smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu), Sacramento pikeminnow 
(Ptychocheilus grandis), and striped bass (Morone saxatilis), (2) 
update estimates of predation rate from previous surveys. Incidental 
mortality of CCV steelhead is not expected to occur and therefore none 
is requested for Permit 17918.
    Predator Abundance will be estimated using boat electrofishing in 
select special run-pools, run-pools, and riffles. As the majority of 
predators in the lower Tuolumne River are non-native and are most 
abundant downstream of approximately RM 31, predation study sites will 
be concentrated in this downstream reach. Focusing effort in this reach 
and conducting sampling during the summer months (July-September) are 
measures designed to minimize the potential to encounter Chinook salmon 
and CCV steelhead. Multiple pass electrofishing will be conducted at 
night when catch per unit effort is typically highest and would be used 
to target territorial species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass 
that do not range far from their home territory. Predators captured 
using electrofishing will be identified to species, measured and 
weighed, then released near the location of capture.
    Predation Rate will be estimated by electrofishing at selected 
sites during two different timeframes, the first of which will occur 
February through March and the second April though May. Limiting 
sampling to locations downstream of RM 31.5 is a measure designed to 
avoid CCV steelhead spawning which may be occurring in the upstream 
reach during this timeframe. The predation rate task is designed to 
collect data on predation rate by fish within specific habitat types 
during the Chinook salmon rearing and outmigration period. Stomach 
contents will be examined to determine the rate of predation on 
juvenile salmon. Approximately twelve study sites will be selected from 
slow-water habitat locations (pools) and fast-water habitats (primarily 
runs), which provide preferred habitat for largemouth bass and 
smallmouth bass, respectively. Two survey events will be conducted, 
approximately one-month apart during the Chinook salmon outmigration 
period with the goal of documenting the magnitude of predation on 
juvenile Chinook salmon. Sampling will be conducted by a boat crew 
sampling at night, when feeding activity is generally at its peak. The 
sampling goal for each study site will be to capture 5-10 individuals 
of each species present for stomach content analysis.

Permit 17913

    Stillwater Sciences is requesting a 5-year scientific research and 
enhancement permit to take adult and juvenile CCV steelhead, associated 
with research activities in the Tuolumne River between RM 52.5 and RM 
0, and on the San Joaquin River between RM 79 (Gardner Cove) and RM 90 
(Laird Park), in the Central Valley, California. Permit 17913 is for 
two studies to be carried out by Stillwater Sciences.
    The Tuolumne River fisheries monitoring project will evaluate and 
measure ESA-listed salmonid and non-listed fish species distribution, 
population abundance, habitat utilization, and habitat quality in the 
lower Tuolumne River in Stanislaus County, California. This project 
will monitor the effects of water diversion facilities maintained by 
the Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts on ESA-listed salmonids 
and non-listed fish species and the effects of past and ongoing habitat 
restoration actions to provide information and guide future habitat 
restoration and management actions within the Tuolumne River watershed. 
This study includes observational snorkel surveys as well as direct 
collection and handling of juvenile fall-run Chinook salmon and CCV 
steelhead using beach seine methods. Any captured juvenile CCV 
steelhead will be handled (anesthetized and measured for length and 
weight), placed in an aerated bucket to recover, and released.
    The Tuolumne River O. mykiss temperature adaptation assessment 
project will examine temperature tolerances of juvenile salmonid life

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stages that inhabit the lower Tuolumne River. Fish collected for this 
project may potentially include ESA-listed CCV steelhead. Up to 50 
juvenile O. mykiss will be collected from the Tuolumne River during 
summer months (June-September) of each year using beach seine methods 
between La Grange powerhouse (RM 52.2) and Roberts Ferry Bridge (RM 
39.5). Individual test fish will be placed in Brett swim tubes and 
tested for physiological performance, measuring both a routine, or 
resting (minimum) respiratory rate and a swimming (maximum) respiratory 
rate at a single test temperature. Test fish would be allowed to fully 
recover prior to release to the lower Tuolumne River.

    Dated: March 25, 2013.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-07226 Filed 3-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P