81_FR_2206 81 FR 2196 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Status Update on Preparation of Record of Decision, Mitchell Act Hatcheries Environmental Impact Statement

81 FR 2196 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Status Update on Preparation of Record of Decision, Mitchell Act Hatcheries Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 10 (January 15, 2016)

Page Range2196-2196
FR Document2016-00734

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to Inform Columbia River Basin Hatchery Operations and the Funding of Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs in September 2014 (also known as the Mitchell Act Hatchery EIS). This notice serves as an update on preparation of the agency's record of decision (ROD).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 10 (Friday, January 15, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 2196]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00734]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE394


Endangered and Threatened Species; Status Update on Preparation 
of Record of Decision, Mitchell Act Hatcheries Environmental Impact 
Statement

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released its 
final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to Inform Columbia River 
Basin Hatchery Operations and the Funding of Mitchell Act Hatchery 
Programs in September 2014 (also known as the Mitchell Act Hatchery 
EIS). This notice serves as an update on preparation of the agency's 
record of decision (ROD).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Dixon, (360) 534-9329 or email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 3, 2004 (69 FR 53892), NMFS 
announced its intent to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and to conduct 
public scoping related to the allocation and distribution of Mitchell 
Act funds for Columbia River hatchery operations. Subsequently, in 
2009, NMFS announced its decision to expand the scope of the EIS to 
include analysis of the environmental effects of all hatchery programs 
in the Columbia River Basin, regardless of the hatchery funding source, 
in a way that would inform future NMFS decisions about Endangered 
Species Act compliances for all Columbia River hatchery programs (74 FR 
10724, March 12, 2009). A draft EIS was published in August 2010 (75 FR 
47591, August 6, 2010). The final EIS was published in September 2014 
(79 FR 54707, September 12, 2014) with a public review period through 
November 12, 2014.
    NMFS has been preparing its ROD through careful consideration of a 
range of comments received during public review of the final EIS. NMFS 
is also considering the anticipated effects of its preferred policy 
direction on species listed under the Endangered Species Act. It is 
anticipated that the ROD will be published in 2016.

    Dated: January 12, 2016.
Perry F.Gayaldo,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00734 Filed 1-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                  2196                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                  on July 29, 2015 (80 FR 45197). Permit                  (EIS) to Inform Columbia River Basin                   SUMMARY:    Notice is hereby given that
                                                  19400 was issued to ICF consulting on                   Hatchery Operations and the Funding of                 the NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science
                                                  December 23, 2015 and expires on                        Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs in                      Center [Responsible Party: William
                                                  December 31, 2020.                                      September 2014 (also known as the                      Karp], 166 Water Street, Woods Hole,
                                                     Permit 19400 authorizes ICF                          Mitchell Act Hatchery EIS). This notice                MA 02543, has applied in due form for
                                                  consulting to take juvenile CVSR                        serves as an update on preparation of                  a permit to take Atlantic sturgeon
                                                  Chinook salmon and SRWR Chinook                         the agency’s record of decision (ROD).                 (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus),
                                                  salmon while conducting a study to                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                       loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Kemp’s
                                                  investigate if longfin smelt in San Pablo               James Dixon, (360) 534–9329 or email:                  ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), green
                                                  Bay shift their vertical distribution                   james.dixon@noaa.gov.                                  (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill
                                                  under different environmental and                                                                              (Eretmochelys imbricata) and
                                                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
                                                  biological conditions. Although this                                                                           leatherback (Dermochelys coraicea) sea
                                                  study principally targets longfin smelt,                September 3, 2004 (69 FR 53892), NMFS
                                                                                                                                                                 turtles for purposes of scientific
                                                  ESA listed Chinook salmon will be                       announced its intent to prepare an EIS
                                                                                                                                                                 research.
                                                  encountered during sampling. ICF will                   pursuant to the National Environmental
                                                                                                          Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et                   DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email
                                                  collect data that will be useful to local                                                                      comments must be received on or before
                                                  researchers on captured and/or                          seq.) and to conduct public scoping
                                                                                                          related to the allocation and distribution             February 16, 2016.
                                                  photographed listed Chinook salmon,
                                                                                                          of Mitchell Act funds for Columbia                     ADDRESSES: The application and related
                                                  including abundance, length, and
                                                                                                          River hatchery operations.                             documents are available for review by
                                                  potentially tissue samples. Fish will be
                                                  sampled using a midwater trawl,                         Subsequently, in 2009, NMFS                            selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
                                                  however the majority of tows will be                    announced its decision to expand the                   Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on
                                                  conducted with only a video device                      scope of the EIS to include analysis of                the Applications and Permits for
                                                  (i.e., SmeltCam) acting as the codend.                  the environmental effects of all hatchery              Protected Species (APPS) home page,
                                                  Therefore, the majority of take will be                 programs in the Columbia River Basin,                  https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then
                                                  observe/harass. The fish camera image                   regardless of the hatchery funding                     selecting File No. 17225 from the list of
                                                  program will be able to determine the                   source, in a way that would inform                     available applications.
                                                                                                          future NMFS decisions about                               These documents are also available
                                                  length, and thereby an estimate of the
                                                                                                          Endangered Species Act compliances                     upon written request or by appointment
                                                  race/run/listing status, of salmon that
                                                  pass through the net. In order to verify                for all Columbia River hatchery                        in the Permits and Conservation
                                                  the results of the SmeltCam, some tows                  programs (74 FR 10724, March 12,                       Division, Office of Protected Resources,
                                                  will be conducted with both the video                   2009). A draft EIS was published in                    NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
                                                  device and a traditional codend.                        August 2010 (75 FR 47591, August 6,                    13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
                                                  Physically captured juvenile salmonids                  2010). The final EIS was published in                  (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
                                                                                                          September 2014 (79 FR 54707,                              Written comments on this application
                                                  will be placed in a bucket with aerated
                                                                                                          September 12, 2014) with a public                      should be submitted to the Chief,
                                                  water, handled (i.e., measured to fork
                                                                                                          review period through November 12,                     Permits and Conservation Division, at
                                                  length and possibly fin tissue sampled
                                                                                                          2014.                                                  the address listed above. Comments may
                                                  for genetic analysis), and released. The
                                                                                                             NMFS has been preparing its ROD                     also be submitted by facsimile to (301)
                                                  researchers are not proposing to kill any
                                                                                                          through careful consideration of a range               713–0376, or by email to
                                                  of the fish they capture.
                                                                                                          of comments received during public                     NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
                                                    Dated: January 12, 2016.                                                                                     include the File No. in the subject line
                                                                                                          review of the final EIS. NMFS is also
                                                  Perry F. Gayaldo,                                                                                              of the email comment.
                                                                                                          considering the anticipated effects of its
                                                  Deputy Director, Office of Protected                    preferred policy direction on species                     Those individuals requesting a public
                                                  Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.                                                                  hearing should submit a written request
                                                                                                          listed under the Endangered Species
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–00747 Filed 1–14–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          Act. It is anticipated that the ROD will               to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
                                                  BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                  be published in 2016.                                  Division at the address listed above. The
                                                                                                                                                                 request should set forth the specific
                                                                                                            Dated: January 12, 2016.                             reasons why a hearing on this
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                  Perry F.Gayaldo,                                       application would be appropriate.
                                                                                                          Deputy Director, Office of Protected                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.          Malcolm Mohead or Amy Hapeman,
                                                  Administration                                          [FR Doc. 2016–00734 Filed 1–14–16; 8:45 am]            (301) 427–8401.
                                                  RIN 0648–XE394                                          BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                                                                                 subject permit is requested under the
                                                  Endangered and Threatened Species;                                                                             authority of the Endangered Species Act
                                                  Status Update on Preparation of                         DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                 of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C.
                                                  Record of Decision, Mitchell Act                                                                               1531 et seq.) and the regulations
                                                  Hatcheries Environmental Impact                         National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                          Administration                                         governing the taking, importing, and
                                                  Statement                                                                                                      exporting of endangered and threatened
                                                  AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                      RIN 0648–XE348                                         species (50 CFR parts 222–226).
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                                                                              The applicant requests a five-year
                                                                                                          Endangered Species; File No. 17225                     permit to conduct research on sea
                                                  Atmospheric Administration,
                                                  Commerce.                                               AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                     turtles and Atlantic sturgeon in the U.S.
                                                  ACTION: Notice.                                         Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                   Atlantic exclusive economic zone from
                                                                                                          Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                     Massachusetts to Georgia. The purpose
                                                  SUMMARY:   The National Marine                          Commerce.                                              of the research is to evaluate bycatch
                                                  Fisheries Service (NMFS) released its                                                                          reduction devices for commercial
                                                                                                          ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
                                                  final Environmental Impact Statement                                                                           fishing gear to mitigate sea turtle and


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Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:32:19
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:32:19
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
ContactJames Dixon, (360) 534-9329 or email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 2196 
RIN Number0648-XE39

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