[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 80 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24382-24385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09803]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC636


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Applications for four new scientific research permits, six 
permit modifications, and five research permit renewals.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received 15 scientific 
research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, 
sturgeon, and eulachon. 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 May 28, 2013.

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 email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Clapp, Portland, OR (ph.: 503-231-
2314), Fax: 503-230-5441, email: [email protected]). Permit 
application instructions are available from the address above, or 
online at https://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 California 
Coastal (CC); threatened Central Valley spring-run (CVS); threatened 
Lower Columbia River (LCR); threatened Puget Sound (PS); endangered 
Sacramento River winter-run (SRW); threatened Snake River (SR) fall-
run; threatened SR spring/summer-run (spr/sum); endangered Upper 
Columbia River (UCR) spring-run; threatened Upper Willamette River 
(UWR).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened UCR; threatened SR; threatened 
middle Columbia River (MCR); threatened California Central Valley 
(CCV); threatened Central California Coast (CCC); threatened LCR; 
threatened Northern California (NC); threatened PS; threatened South-
Central California Coast (SCC); endangered Southern California (SC); 
threatened UWR.
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Endangered SR; threatened Ozette Lake 
(OL).
    Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Columbia River (CR); threatened 
Hood Canal summer-run (HCS).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Endangered CCC; threatened LCR; 
threatened Oregon Coast (OC); threatened Southern Oregon/Northern 
California Coast (SONCC).
    Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): Threatened southern (S).
    Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris): Threatened southern (S).

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 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 1422--3R

    The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is seeking to renew for five years a 
permit that currently allows them to annually take juvenile endangered 
UCR Chinook salmon, juvenile endangered UCR steelhead, and juvenile 
threatened MCR steelhead during research activities taking place at 
various points in the Yakima, Methow, Entiat, and Wenatchee River 
drainages in Washington State. Under the renewed permit, the fish would 
be captured (using minnow traps, hook-and-line angling, and 
electrofishing equipment), identified, and immediately released. The 
purpose of the research is to determine fish distribution in the 
subbasins listed above. The research would benefit the fish by giving 
land managers information they need in order to design forest 
management activities (e.g., timber sales, grazing plans, road 
building) in such a way as to conserve listed species. The USFS does 
not intend to kill any of the listed fish being captured, but a small 
percentage may die as an unintended result of the research activities.

Permit 10020--3M

    The City of Bellingham (COB) is seeking to modify a five-year 
research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook 
salmon and PS steelhead. The sampling would take place in Cemetery 
Creek, a tributary of Whatcom Creek in Bellingham, WA. The purpose of 
the study is to assess the effectiveness of habitat restoration 
measures implemented as part of the Whatcom Creek Long-term Restoration 
Plan and would document fish population trends. The COB proposes to 
capture fish using a smolt trap placed in Cemetery Creek. Fish would be 
identified by species, measured, have a tissue sample taken (to 
determine their origin), and be released. This research would benefit 
the affected species by informing future restoration designs as well as 
providing data to support future

[[Page 24383]]

enhancement projects. The researchers do not propose to kill any of the 
listed salmonids being captured, but a small number may die as an 
unintended result of the activities.

Permit 10042--3R

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking to renew for five 
years a permit that currently allows them to take all the Columbia, 
Snake, and Willamette River fish (including green sturgeon) listed in 
this notice while conducting studies of the interactions between 
American shad (Alosa sappidissima) and salmonid restoration efforts in 
the lower Columbia River. The purpose of the study is to determine how 
shad benefit or detract from salmonid restoration programs. A secondary 
purpose is to collect large-scale suckers for contaminant analysis. The 
listed fish will benefit from these efforts as managers learn how the 
non-native shad affect listed salmonids and the programs designed to 
restore them. The applicant proposes to capture the fish using a 
variety of methods: gillnetting, electrofishing, angling, seines, cast 
nets, and hook-and-line angling. All listed fish captured during the 
research would be immediately returned to the water at the point of 
capture. The applicant does not propose to kill any listed fish, but a 
small number may die as an unintended result of the activities.

Permit 14283--2R

    Environmental Assessment Services (EAS) is seeking to renew for 
five years a permit that currently allows them to annually take listed 
fish in the Columbia River in support of the U.S. Department of 
Energy's Hanford Site Cleanup Mission and regulatory drivers under the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 
(CERCLA). The research would take place in four areas the Columbia 
River waters extending from upstream of Wanapum Dam to McNary Dam. The 
researchers are targeting non-listed resident fish but may also capture 
UCR steelhead and Chinook, MCR steelhead, and SR fall Chinook, SR spr/
sum Chinook, and SR Steelhead. The research would benefit listed fish 
by helping monitor and reduce contamination from the Hanford Nuclear 
Reservation. The researchers would capture the fish using 
electrofishing, hook and line, and long-line techniques. Any captured 
listed fish would immediately be released. The researchers do not 
propose to kill any listed fish but a small number may inadvertently be 
killed by the activities

Permit 10114--2R

    Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is seeking to 
renew for five years a research permit that allows them to take 
juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, HCS chum salmon, and PS 
steelhead. The sampling would take place throughout the marine waters 
of Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The 
Washington State Department of Ecology has identified--under the Puget 
Sound Initiative--bays throughout Puget Sound for focused, accelerated 
sediment cleanup and pollution source control. The purpose of the study 
is to develop work plans and conduct bay-wide sediment 
characterizations to identify contaminated areas that would require 
cleanup under the Washington State Sediment Management Standards. The 
SAIC proposes to capture fish using otter trawls, beam trawls, beach 
seines, and crab pots. Adult salmonids would be identified by species, 
measured, and released. All other fish would be anesthetized, 
identified by species, measured for length, allowed to recover from the 
anesthetic, and released. Only the first 30 salmonids of each species 
would be measured; any others would be identified, enumerated, and 
released. This research would benefit listed species by helping 
minimize their exposure to contaminants during cleanup operations. The 
researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed salmonids being 
captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of the 
activities.

Permit 15207--2R

    The Oregon State University (OSU) is seeking a renew a permit that 
currently allows them to annually take all the listed salmonids in the 
Columbia Basin and Oregon coast covered by this notice. The research is 
designed to help managers assess the condition of rivers and streams in 
the 12 conterminous western states and evaluate and develop 
scientifically and statistically rigorous field protocols for assessing 
large rivers and their tributaries. The study was previously conducted 
under Permit 1559--4A and Permit 15207 and will benefit listed species 
by providing baseline information about water quality in the study 
areas and helping managers enforce the Clean Water Act in those river 
systems where listed fish are present. The OSU researchers would 
capture fish (using boat- and backpack electrofishing equipment) in 
randomly selected river reaches, sample them for biological 
information, and release them. The researchers will try to avoid adult 
salmonids, but some may be encountered. The researchers do not intend 
to kill any fish being captured but some may die as an unintentional 
result of the research activities.

Permit 16333--2M

    The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is seeking to modify 
a five-year research permit they currently hold. The modified permit 
would increase the amounts of take they are allotted and allow them to 
annually take CC, CVS, LCR, PS, SRW, SRF, SRSS, UCRS, and UWR Chinook 
salmon; CR and HCS chum salmon; CCC, LCR, OC, SO/NCC coho salmon; OL 
and SR sockeye salmon; CCV, CCC, LCR, MCR, NC, PS, SRB, SCC, SC, UCR, 
and UWR steelhead; and S green sturgeon. The NWFSC research may also 
cause them to take S eulachon, for which there are currently no ESA 
take prohibitions. All green sturgeon and eulachon take would be adult 
take, but the salmonid take could be either adult or sub-adult. The 
surveys would range from the US-Canada border to the US-Mexico border, 
take place at depths of 55m to 1,280m, and run from May through October 
each year. The purpose of the survey is to generate fisheries-
independent indices of stock abundance to support stock assessment 
models for commercially and recreationally harvested groundfish 
species. The survey collects data on 90+ species contained in the 
pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) and is 
intended to fulfill the mandates included in the Magnuson-Stevens 
Sustainable Fisheries Act. The objectives of the survey are: (1) 
Quantify the distribution and relative abundance of commercially 
valuable groundfish species; (2) obtain biological data from species of 
interest including length, weight, gender, and maturity; (3) determine 
age structures for FMP species; (4) record net mensuration and trawl 
performance data; and (5) collect oceanographic data. The NWFSC 
proposes to capture fish using bottom trawls. An ``Aberdeen'' style net 
with a small-mesh (1\1/2\ stretched measure or less) liner 
in the cod end would be towed for about 15 minutes per tow. Acoustic 
instruments attached to the nets would record various aspects of their 
mechanical performance. Catches would be sorted by species or other 
appropriate taxon and listed species processed first and released as 
soon as possible. The research would benefit listed species by 
increasing the understanding of the connections between various 
oceanographic conditions and fish survival in the marine environment. 
And that information, in turn, would be used to inform future decisions 
regarding listed

[[Page 24384]]

species management and recovery. The researchers do not intend to kill 
any listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the 
activities.

Permit 16335--2M

    The NWFSC is seeking to modify a five-year research permit they 
currently hold. The modified permit would increase the amounts of take 
they are allotted and allow them to annually take sub-adult and adult 
CC, CVS, LCR, PS, SRW, SRF, SRSS, UCRS, and UWR Chinook salmon; CR and 
HCS chum salmon; CCC, LCR, OC, SO/NCC coho salmon; and OL and SR 
sockeye salmon. The NWFSC research may also cause them to take adult S 
eulachon, for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. The 
surveys would range from south of Monterey, California to the Dixon 
Entrance, Alaska/British Columbia--proceeding along the continental 
shelf and upper slope between June and September every year. Scientists 
from the NWFSC and Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) 
would jointly conduct biennial integrated acoustic and trawl (IAT) 
surveys on Pacific hake (Merluccius productus). The purpose of the IAT 
survey is to assess the distribution, abundance, and biology of Pacific 
hake. Age-specific estimates of total population abundance derived from 
the survey are key data for the joint U.S.-Canada Pacific hake stock 
assessments; they ultimately act as the foundation for advice on U.S., 
tribal, and international harvest levels. The NWFSC proposes to capture 
fish using an Aleutian wing 24/20 mid-water trawl. Surveys would be 
conducted in a series of transects generally oriented east-west and 
spaced at 10 nautical-mile intervals. Trawl samples would be used to 
classify acoustic backscatter readouts by species and size. Catches 
would be sorted by species or other appropriate taxon and listed 
species would be processed and released before any other species. The 
research would benefit listed species by helping make the West Coast 
hake fishery more target-specific and thereby reducing bycatch of other 
species. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but 
some may die as an inadvertent result of the proposed activities.

Permit 16337--2M

    The NWFSC is seeking to modify a five-year research permit they 
currently hold. The modified permit would increase the amounts of take 
they are allotted and allow them to annually take sub-adult and adult 
CC, CVS, LCR, PS, SRW, SRF, SRSS, UCRS, and UWR Chinook salmon; CR and 
HCS chum salmon; CCC, LCR, OC, SO/NCC coho salmon; and OL and SR 
sockeye salmon. The NWFSC research may also cause them to take adult S 
eulachon--for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. The 
surveys would range primarily from the Strait of Juan de Fuca 
Washington down to the central Oregon coast, though additional surveys 
may be undertaken that would range from south of Monterey Bay, 
California up to the Dixon Entrance, Alaska/British Columbia. Surveys 
would be conducted from June to early September and may run from as few 
as 30 days up to as many as 70. The purpose of these surveys is to 
investigate research topics suggested by hake stock assessment 
scientists, including: (1) Comparing acoustic estimates for hake 
between two vessels, (2) conducting research on acoustic 
differentiation between hake and Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas), and 
(3) confirming that ground-truth tows (mid-water and bottom trawls) are 
adequately characterizing schools of hake. Other research may be 
conducted as well and may include hake target strength investigations, 
acoustic broadband research, and night tows for pelagic fish species. 
The cruises would test automatic underwater vehicles, acoustic systems, 
plankton sampling, and limited mid-water trawling. The NWFSC proposes 
to capture fish using an Aleutian wing 24/20 mid-water trawl and a Poly 
Nor'eastern high-opening bottom trawl equipped with roller gear. 
Catches would be sorted by species or other appropriate taxon and 
listed species would be processed and released before any other 
species. The research would benefit listed species by helping make the 
West Coast hake fishery more target specific and thereby reducing 
bycatch of other species. The researchers do not intend to kill any 
listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the proposed 
capture method.

Permit 16338--2M

    The NWFSC is seeking to modify a five-year research permit they 
currently hold. The modified permit would increase the amounts of take 
they are allotted and allow them to annually take CC, CVS, LCR, PS, 
SRW, SRF, SRSS, UCRS, and UWR Chinook salmon; CR and HCS chum salmon; 
CCC, LCR, OC, SO/NCC coho salmon; OL and SR sockeye salmon; CCV, CCC, 
LCR, MCR, NC, PS, SRB, SCC, SC, UCR, and UWR steelhead; and S green 
sturgeon. The NWFSC research may also cause them to take S eulachon--a 
species for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. All 
take for take for green sturgeon and eulachon would be adult take, 
while salmon and steelhead take may be either subadult or adult take. 
The surveys would range from northern California to Washington over the 
continental shelf in waters shallower than 1,000m. The purpose of these 
surveys are to test and evaluate bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) and 
trawl gear modifications (i.e. headrope/footrope modifications) that 
are designed to reduce: (1) Chinook salmon and rockfish bycatch in the 
U.S. Pacific hake fishery; (2) Pacific halibut, sablefish, and rockfish 
bycatch in the groundfish bottom trawl fishery; (3) and juvenile and 
unmarketable-sized fish discards in mid-water and bottom trawl 
groundfish fisheries. The NWFSC proposes to capture fish using mid-
water and bottom trawl nets. Catches would be sorted by species or 
other appropriate taxon and listed species would be processed and 
released before any other species. The research would benefit listed 
species by helping make the West Coast hake fishery more target-
specific and thereby reducing bycatch of other species. The researchers 
do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as an 
inadvertent result of the proposed capture method.

Permit 16702--2M

    The NWFSC is seeking to modify a five-year research permit that 
currently allows them to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and 
PS steelhead. The modified research would increase the amount of take 
the researchers are allotted and would also allow them to take adult S 
eulachon--a species for which there are currently no ESA take 
prohibitions. The survey sites would be located in the Snohomish River 
estuary. The purpose of these surveys is to monitor habitat use of 
juvenile PS Chinook salmon in response to estuary restoration at the 
Qwuloolt restoration site--both before and after the planned levee 
breach in late 2014. Specifically, the goals are to identify the life 
history types present, their spatial and temporal distribution, their 
feeding ecology, and interactions with other biota. Sampling would 
occur year-round: biweekly from February to September and then once a 
month from October to January. The NWFSC proposes to capture fish using 
beach seines (in mainstem habitat), pole seines (inside restoration 
site prior to breaching), and fyke traps (in tidal channels). The 
researchers would use MS-222 to kill up to 15 marked and unmarked 
juvenile Chinook and take stomach, otolith, and other tissue samples 
from them. Any PS Chinook unintentionally killed during the research 
would be used in lieu of a fish that would otherwise be sacrificed. All

[[Page 24385]]

other juvenile PS Chinook and all PS steelhead captured would be 
measured (fork length), counted, and released. The research would 
benefit the listed species by helping improve salmon habitat 
restoration.

Permit 17798

    The NWFSC is seeking a five-year research permit to annually take 
juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. The NWFSC research may 
also cause them to take adult S eulachon--a species for which there are 
currently no ESA take prohibitions. The surveys would occur in 
biologically and chemically contaminated estuaries throughout Puget 
Sound (Skagit, Stillaguamish, Puyallup, Nisqually, Duwamish, Snohomish, 
and Deschutes river estuaries). The purpose of these surveys is to 
monitor chemicals of emerging concern (CEC) using molecular and 
physiological approaches that would identify bio-accumulative CEC in 
ecologically sensitive indicator species and determine the impacts of 
CEC exposure may be having on endocrine function and growth. The 
researchers would use whole genome and molecular techniques on various 
Chinook tissues to help identify gene pathways and develop robust 
diagnostic indices for CEC toxicity. The NWFSC proposes to capture and 
euthanize the fish so they can take blood, tissue, and organ samples 
for analyses. Excess Chinook (and all other species) would be release 
immediately after capture. The researchers would prioritize using 
adipose-fin-clipped hatchery fish and unintentional mortalities over 
unclipped or wild fish. The research would benefit the listed species 
by identifying CEC sites and sources and thereby helping inform 
decisions about how to best handle them in the future.

Permit 17839

    The USFS is seeking a five-year research permit to annually take 
juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. The researchers would 
conduct Salish sucker surveys in the northern Puget Sound river 
drainages of the Nooksack, Skagit, and Stillaguamish rivers. Their 
purpose is to: (1) Improve our knowledge about Salish sucker 
distribution by sampling preferential habitat types throughout their 
range in Northern Puget Sound and (2) refining our understanding of the 
species' physical chemical habitat metrics. In the U.S., the Salish 
Sucker, endemic to five watersheds in Washington State, is not 
federally listed under the ESA. In Canada, the Salish sucker has been 
listed as endangered since 1987 under the Species At Risk Act (SARA). 
The USFS proposes to capture fish using minnow and feddes traps. 
Salmonids encountered would be identified by species, checked for an 
adipose fin clip, and immediately released downstream. The research 
would benefit the listed species by providing information on their 
distribution. The main benefactor of this research is the Salish sucker 
who are listed as endangered in Canada but not well understood in the 
U.S. For Salish suckers, this study would improve distribution 
knowledge, confirm critical physical habitat characteristics, quantify 
presence/absence in suitable habitat, confirm species persistence in 
known populations, and refine migratory life history by investigating 
the upper drainages. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed 
fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

Permit 17851

    The Coastal Watershed Institute (CWI) is seeking a five-year 
research permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon, PS 
steelhead, and HCS chum salmon. The CWI research may also cause them to 
take adult S eulachon--a species for which there are currently no ESA 
take prohibitions. The survey would take place in the Elwha River 
estuary. The purpose of the research is to examine ecological function 
in the Elwha River nearshore environment with respect to determining 
how that environment supports fish species. The researchers would look 
at the population structures, migration timing, and life history 
strategies among local salmonids (Chinook, chum, sea-run cutthroat, 
steelhead, and bull trout) and measure ecological indices as well. The 
CWI proposes to capture fish using a beach seine. All fish would be 
identified by their lowest taxonomic level. Twenty individuals from 
each species would be measured and released. Salmonids would be scanned 
for fin clips and tags. The research would benefit listed species by 
generating information on the species' habitat needs and response to 
the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams. The researchers do not 
intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent 
result of the research.

Permit 18001

    Pierce County, Washington, is seeking a five-year research permit 
to annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. 
The purpose of these surveys is to determine the distribution and 
diversity of anadromous fish species in water bodies adjacent to and 
within the county's levee system. The County proposes to capture fish 
using seines, dip-netting, minnow traps, fyke nets, hook and line, and 
backpack electrofishing. Electrofishing would largely be ``spot-
shocking'' for presence and absence and would not typically cover 
broad, continuous areas. The fish would be captured, identified, 
measured, and then released at or near their capture site. Fish would 
not be removed from the water unless absolutely necessary. The research 
would benefit the listed species by helping Pierce County develop a 
best management practice program and establish in-water work windows 
that would minimize effects on listed fish during construction and 
restoration projects. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed 
fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.
    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: April 22, 2013.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09803 Filed 4-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P