[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 51 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11505-11507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05257]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG088


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Applications for five new scientific research permits and seven 
permit renewals.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received twelve 
scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific 
salmon, steelhead, eulachon, and green sturgeon. 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 April 16, 
2018.

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 by email to 
[email protected] (include the permit number in the subject line 
of email).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shivonne Nesbit, Portland, OR (ph.: 
503-231-6741), 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); endangered Sacramento River winter-run (SRWR); threatened 
Central Valley spring-run (CVSR).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened Southern Oregon/Northern 
California Coast (SONCC); endangered Central California Coast (CCC).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened Northern California (NC); 
threatened Central California Coast (CCC); threatened California 
Central Valley (CCV); threatened South-Central California Coast (S-
CCC); endangered Southern California (SC).
    North American green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris): Threatened 
southern distinct population segment (sDPS).
    Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): Threatened sDPS.

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 1606-2R

    Zach Larson and Associates is seeking to renew for five years a 
research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile SONCC coho 
in the Smith River, Morrison Creek, Ranch Bar, Saxton Bar Alcove, and 
Yontocket Slough in Northern California. The research may also cause 
them to take adult eulachon--a species for which there are currently no 
ESA take prohibitions. The study's purpose is to establish baseline 
data for the comparability between pre-treatment and post-treatment 
project sites. Documenting salmonid and non-salmonid species presence 
and their habitat use in privately owned portions of the Smith River is 
also needed to identify further habitat enhancement opportunities in 
the Smith River. This research would benefit the affected species by 
informing future restoration designs, providing data to support future 
enhancement projects, and helping managers assess the status of 
salmonid populations in the sloughs and alcoves in the Smith River 
estuary. The researchers propose to capture fish using beach seines. 
Captured fish would be captured, handled, and released. The researchers 
do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as an 
inadvertent result of the research.

15573-3R

    The Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District (GCID) is seeking to renew for 
five years a research permit that currently allows them to take 
juvenile CVSR chinook, SRWR chinook, CCV steelhead and juvenile green 
sturgeon in the Sacramento River, California. The study's purpose is to 
monitor restoration actions and to detect annular and cyclic population 
changes. The GCID project provides the longest and most complete 
anadromous fish data set on Sacramento River. As a result, the research 
would benefit the affected species by informing operational decisions 
for state and Federal water facilities and supplementing other out-
migrant monitoring projects conducted in the Sacramento River Basin. 
The researchers propose to use a rotary screw trap to capture the 
targeted fish. They would then be anesthetized, identified to species, 
measured, have a tissue sample taken for genetic analysis (fin clip and 
scales), and allowed to recover in cool, aerated water before being 
released back to the stream. The researchers do not intend to kill any 
listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

15730-2R

    The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN) is seeking to 
renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to 
take spawned adult carcasses and juvenile CCC coho, CC chinook and CCC 
steelhead in Lagunitas Creek and tributaries, California. The study's 
purpose is to provide baseline data on habitat and juvenile and adult 
salmon abundance throughout the species' range for CCCCoho. The 
research would benefit the affected species by providing data to inform 
future research, restoration, and conservation efforts. The researchers 
propose to use fyke nets to capture juvenile fish and observe adult 
fish during spawning surveys. Captured fish would be anesthetized, 
identified to species, measured, PIT tagged, have a tissue sample taken 
for genetic analysis (fin clip and scales), and allowed to recover in 
cool, aerated water before being released back to the stream. The 
researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as 
an inadvertent result of the research.

[[Page 11506]]

15824-2R

    The County of Santa Cruz is seeking to renew for five years a 
research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile CCC coho, 
CCC steelhead, and S-CCC steelhead in the San Lorenzo River and its 
tributaries, Aptos Creek and its tributaries, Corralitos Creek and its 
tributaries, and Soquel Creek and its tributaries. The study's purpose 
is to document habitat conditions and collect data on juvenile salmonid 
abundance in Santa Cruz County watersheds. The research would benefit 
the affected species by providing data on salmonid spawning and rearing 
habitat conditions and thereby help inform habitat restoration and 
conservation efforts and land and water use decisions. The researchers 
at Santa Cruz County propose to use backpack electrofishing and beach 
seines to capture fish and to observe fish during snorkel surveys. 
Captured fish would be anesthetized, identified to species, measured, 
PIT tagged, have a tissue sample taken for genetic analysis (fin clip 
and scales), and allowed to recover in cool, aerated water before being 
released back to the stream. The researchers do not intend to kill any 
listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

16110-2R

    The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) is seeking to renew for 
five years a research permit that currently allows them to take 
juvenile and adult CCC coho, CCC steelhead, and CC chinook Lagunitas 
Creek (including two tributaries, San Geronimo Creek and Devil's Gulch) 
and Walker Creek. The study's purpose is to document trends in coho 
salmon abundance, determine freshwater and marine survival rates for 
coho salmon, assess the relationship between population trends and 
management efforts, and determine which coho life stage has the lowest 
survival rates. In Lagunitas Creek, this research would benefit the 
affected species by providing a consistent sampling program as a 
standardized method to evaluate salmon populations. The renewed 
monitoring program would maintain Lagunitas Creek as a Coastal 
Monitoring Program (CMP) life-cycle monitoring station. In Walker 
Creek, the research would benefit the affected species by providing 
needed population data for coho and steelhead--data needed to inform 
future habitat restoration. The MMWD propose to use backpack 
electrofishing and rotatory screw traps to capture fish and to observe 
fish during snorkel surveys and spawning surveys. Captured fish would 
be anesthetized, identified to species, measured, PIT tagged, have a 
tissue sample taken for genetic analysis (fin clip and scales), and 
allowed to recover in cool, aerated water before being released back to 
the stream. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but 
some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

16417-2R

    The Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) is seeking to renew 
for five years a research permit that currently allows them take of 
take juvenile and adult CCC steelhead in Guadalupe Creek, Alamitos 
Creek, Calero Creek, Los Gatos Creek, Guadalupe River, Stevens Creek, 
Coyote Creek, Upper Penitencia Creek, and Lake Almaden. The study's 
purpose is to collect baseline data on O. mykiss population status, 
survival rates and migration patterns. This research would benefit the 
affected species by filling in data gaps on O. mykiss distribution and 
habitat use in Santa Clara County. The SCVWD proposes to use backpack 
and boat electrofishing to capture fish. The researchers would also use 
Vaki Riverwatchers, underwater infrared fish counters, at existing 
facilities to document migration. All captured fish would be 
anesthetized, identified to species, measured, PIT tagged, have a 
tissue sample taken for genetic analysis (fin clip and scales), and 
allowed to recover in cool, aerated water before being released back to 
the stream. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but 
some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

16544

    The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking a 
five-year permit to annually take juvenile and adult SC steelhead in 
Southern California from Topanga Canyon to Santa Maria. The purpose of 
this project is to monitor the population status, trends, spatial 
structure, and life history diversity of SC steelhead. This research 
would benefit the affected species by providing information to manage 
and recover the species. The CDFW proposes to use backpack 
electrofishing, hand and/or dipnets, beach seines, hook and line 
sampling, minnow traps, fyke nets, and weirs to capture fish. Fish 
would also be observed during snorkel and spawning surveys. Captured 
fish would be anesthetized, identified to species, measured, PIT 
tagged, have a tissue sample taken for genetic analysis (fin clip and 
scales), and allowed to recover in cool, aerated water before being 
released back to the stream. The researchers do not intend to kill any 
listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

17428-3R

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking to renew for 
five years a research permit that currently allows them take juvenile 
CVSR Chinook, SRWR Chinook, and juvenile and adult CCC steelhead on the 
America River, CA. The study's purpose is to monitor the abundance of 
juvenile salmon, infer biological responses to ongoing habitat 
restoration activities, and generate data for the salmon life cycle 
models. The research would benefit the affected species by informing 
future efforts to enhance the juvenile salmonid abundance, production, 
condition, and survival in the American River. The USFWS propose to use 
a rotary screw trap to capture fish. Captured fish would be 
anesthetized, identified to species, measured, PIT tagged, have a 
tissue sample taken for genetic analysis (fin clip and scales), and 
allowed to recover in cool, aerated water before being released back to 
the stream. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but 
some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

20622

    The Confluence Environmental Company (CEC) is seeking a five-year 
permit to annually take juvenile CC Chinook, juvenile SONCC coho, 
juvenile NC steelhead, subadult green sturgeon and adult eulachon--a 
species for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions--in 
Humbolt Bay. The study's purpose is to compare different fish 
communities using estuarine habitats with and without oyster 
aquaculture in Humboldt Bay. The research would benefit the affected 
species by providing information on the environmental impacts shellfish 
aquaculture may have on the listed animals. The CEC proposes to use 
fyke nets to capture fish. Captured fish would be identified to 
species, and released. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed 
fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

20792

    FISHBIO is seeking a five-year permit to annually take juvenile and 
adult CCV steelhead, CVSR chinook, and sDPS green sturgeon in the San 
Joaquin River and San Joaquin's river south delta. The study's purpose 
is to characterize the spatial distribution of non-native resident 
fishes in the San Joaquin River and delta, and to identify areas of 
relatively elevated predator abundance. That information, in turn, 
would benefit listed species by increasing our

[[Page 11507]]

understanding of the potential impacts predators may be having on 
juvenile salmonids migrating through this region and thus helping 
inform management decisions. FISHBIO proposes to use boat 
electrofishing to capture fish and to observe fish during stream 
surveys. Captured fish would be immediately placed in an aerated 
livebox until processing (i.e., measuring and recording) is complete, 
and a partition in the livebox would separate potential predators from 
prey-sized fish to eliminate harmful interactions. Captured fish would 
be identified to species, and released. ESA-listed fish would be kept 
for as little time as possible and released before non-listed species. 
The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die 
as an inadvertent result of the research.

21499

    The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is seeking a 
five-year permit to annually take juvenile SRWR chinook, CVSR chinook, 
CCV steelhead and sDPS green sturgeon in the Northern Sacramento River 
Delta. The purpose of this project is test if the removal or reduction 
of invasive aquatic vegetation biomass changes the density and 
composition of the local food web. The research would benefit the 
affected species by providing information on ways to reduce non-native 
predator numbers and helping direct habitat restoration for native 
fish. The DWR proposes to use boat electrofishing to capture fish. 
Captured fish would be identified to species, and released. The 
researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as 
an inadvertent result of the research.

21547

    The CDFW is seeking a two-year permit to take juvenile SONCC coho, 
CC chinook, NC steelhead, CCV steelhead, CCC coho, CVSR chinook, SRWR 
chinook, CCC steelhead, SC steelhead, and sDPS green sturgeon. The 
study's purpose is to assess the condition of the rivers and streams in 
California and provide a baseline for future comparisons. CDFW is 
participating in the USEPA National Rivers and Streams Assessment 
(NRSA), a probability-based survey designed to assess the condition of 
the Nation's rivers and streams. NRSA is a keystone program in 
California that provides data for the National Water Quality Inventory 
Report to Congress (305(b) report) and fulfills the water quality 
criteria and water quality monitoring requirements of the Clean Water 
Act. The CDFW proposes to capture fish by boat, raft or backpack 
electrofishing. Captured fish would be identified and measured. After 
the captured fish have fully recovered in an aerated live well they 
would be released at or near the location of capture, away from any 
future electroshocking activities. 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: March 12, 2018.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-05257 Filed 3-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P