[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69428-69429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27543]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD596


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Issuance of a Scientific Purposes and Enhancement of Survival 
Permit for a Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP).

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the Final 
Environmental Assessment (EA) on the application from the California 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Region 1 for a Scientific 
Purposes and Enhancement of Survival Permit for a Hatchery and Genetic 
Management Plan (HGMP) for take of a threatened species in accordance 
with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This notice also announces that 
NMFS has made a decision to issue a permit (Permit No. 15755) to CDFW 
for activities described in their HGMP, and has authorized the Hatchery 
and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) for the Iron Gate Hatchery coho 
salmon program in the Klamath River watershed in California.
    This notice is provided under National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) regulations and NMFS ESA permit regulations to inform the public 
that the Final EA, HGMP, responses to public comments, and associated 
documents are available for review.

ADDRESSES: The application, permit, final HGMP, Final EA, and related 
documents are available for review by appointment at: California 
Coastal Area Office, NMFS, 1655 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521 (ph: 
707-825-5171, fax: 707-825-4840, email at: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Simondet at 707-825-5171, or 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    The issuance of Scientific Purposes and Enhancement of Survival 
Permit permits by NMFS, as required by the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (ESA), is based on a finding that such 
permits: (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 (50 CFR parts 222-226) governing listed fish and 
wildlife permits.

Species Covered in This Notice

    This notice is relevant to federally threatened Southern Oregon/
Northern California Coast coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).

Background

    On January 8, 2013 NMFS announced in the Federal Register a notice 
of receipt of a Scientific Purposes and Enhancement of Survival Permit 
application and draft Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) from 
the California Department of Fish and Game, now Wildlife (CDFW), for a 
10 year period (78 FR 1201). On January 30, 2013 NMFS published a 
corrected Federal Register notice with clarifications regarding the 
comment period (78 FR 6298) which ended March 1, 2013. The draft HGMP 
specified methods of operation for the Iron Gate hatchery coho salmon 
program located along the Klamath River, within the State of 
California. NMFS also announced the availability of a Draft 
Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding issuance of a permit 
authorizing take of coho salmon associated with implementation of the 
HGMP. Public review and comment were invited on both the draft HGMP and 
the draft EA. The public review and comment period ended on March 1, 
2013. NMFS did not receive any comment letters on the Draft HGMP or the 
Draft EA during the public review period.
    The HGMP will be implemented as part of the existing coho salmon 
artificial propagation program at Iron Gate Hatchery. Actions taken 
pursuant to the permit are designed to enhance the survival of coho 
salmon residing in the Upper Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam. The 
HGMP incorporates two

[[Page 69429]]

main components: Artificial propagation and monitoring and evaluation 
(M&E). Artificial propagation activities that could lead to the take of 
listed coho salmon include: Adult broodstock collection, spawning, 
rearing, handling, evaluation, tagging and release of progeny. Once the 
threat of demographic extinction is reduced, the number of hatchery 
adult coho salmon allowed to spawn naturally in Bogus Creek may be 
controlled to insure that the proportionate natural influence (PNI) for 
spawning coho salmon exceeds 0.5 (PNI > 0.5). The purpose for 
controlling the PNI is to have natural environment rather than the 
hatchery environment drive local adaptation and selection processes to 
improve genetic fitness. The HGMP includes measures to increase the 
fertilization of eggs and survival rate for each life stage and to 
minimize the likelihood of genetic or ecological effects to listed 
natural fish resulting from the hatchery operations and propagation of 
hatchery fish. Monitoring and evaluation will occur by conducting coho 
spawning ground and carcass surveys in the mainstem Klamath River and 
key tributary streams that comprise habitat for the Upper Klamath River 
coho salmon population unit. These data will be used to estimate adult 
natural and hatchery escapement levels and spawn timing in key streams 
for the Upper Klamath population unit as a whole. M&E activities will 
also collect necessary data to document achievement of performance 
indicators specified in the HGMP.
    Take of adult and juvenile coho salmon associated with Permit 15755 
is described in the NMFS permit and particularly detailed in Table 1 of 
the permit. Permit 15755 expires on August 31, 2024.

    Dated: November 17, 2014.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27543 Filed 11-20-14; 8:45 am]
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