[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25650-25651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11934]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG265


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: NOAA Fisheries is notifying the public of the receipt of two 
applications for Endangered Species Act section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement 
permits for hatchery programs rearing fall Chinook salmon in the Snake 
River basin.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received applications for 
renewal of two enhancement permit applications pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) section for hatchery operations rearing 
and releasing Snake River fall Chinook salmon in the Snake River basin 
of Idaho. The applications are in the form of two existing hatchery and 
genetic management plans (HGMPs) and an addendum. This new addendum

[[Page 25651]]

and the associated HGMPs describe programs operated by the Nez Perce 
Tribe (NPT), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Oregon 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and Idaho Department of Fish 
and Game (IDFG), and funded by the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFWS) through the Lower Snake Compensation Plan (LSRCP), 
Idaho Power Company (IPC), and the Bonneville Power Administration 
(BPA). This document serves to notify the public of the availability of 
these materials for review and comment prior to a decision by NMFS as 
to whether to issue the permit.

DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address (see 
ADDRESSES) no later than 5:00 p.m. Pacific time on July 5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Written responses to the addendum should be addressed to the 
NMFS Sustainable Fisheries Division, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Portland, OR 
97232. Comments may be submitted by email. The mailbox address for 
providing email comments is: [email protected]. 
Include in the subject line of the email comment the following 
identifier: Comments on Snake River fall Chinook hatchery permits.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Natasha Preston at (503) 231-2178 or 
by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

ESA-Listed Species Covered in This Notice

    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Threatened, naturally 
and artificially propagated Snake River fall-run.

Background

    Section 9 of the ESA and Federal regulations prohibit the 
``taking'' of a species listed as endangered or threatened. The term 
``take'' is defined under the ESA to mean harass, harm, pursue, hunt, 
shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage 
in any such conduct. NMFS may issue permits to take listed species for 
any act otherwise prohibited by section 9 for scientific purposes or to 
enhance the propagation or survival of the affected species, under 
section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA. NMFS regulations governing permits for 
threatened and endangered species are promulgated at 50 CFR 222.307.
    The co-managers and funding agencies, including the NPT, WDFW, 
ODFW, IDFG, LSRCP, IPC, and BPA, have submitted to NMFS applications 
for two permits, pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered 
Species Act, for hatchery activities in the Snake River basin. The 
applications are in the form of two existing HGMPs and an addendum with 
updates to those HGMPs.
    The addendum and previously submitted HGMPs describe actions 
involving hatchery activities (with associated monitoring and 
evaluation) in the Snake River basin. The programs are intended to 
contribute to the survival and recovery of Snake River Fall Chinook 
salmon in the Snake River basin, and to responsibly enhance fishing 
opportunity on hatchery-origin returns.

Authority

    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS 
will evaluate each application, associated documents, and comments 
submitted thereon to determine whether the applications meet the 
requirements of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA. If it is determined 
that the requirements are met, permits will be issued to the NPT, WDFW, 
ODFW, IDFG, LSRCP, IPC, and BPA for the purpose of carrying out the 
hatchery programs. NMFS will publish a record of its final action in 
the Federal Register.

    Dated: May 30, 2018.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11934 Filed 6-1-18; 8:45 am]
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