81_FR_24144 81 FR 24065 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

81 FR 24065 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 79 (April 25, 2016)

Page Range24065-24067
FR Document2016-09526

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received eight scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, steelhead, 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.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 79 (Monday, April 25, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 79 (Monday, April 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24065-24067]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09526]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE577


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 and four 
permit renewals.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received eight scientific 
research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, 
steelhead, 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 25, 2016.

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] (include the permit number 
in the subject line of the fax or email).

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): Endangered upper 
Columbia River (UCR); threatened Lower Columbia River (LCR); threatened 
Snake River (SR); threatened upper Willamette River (UWR).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened LCR; threatened UCR; threatened 
SR; threatened UWR; threatened middle Columbia River (MCR).
    Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Columbia River (CR).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened LCR.

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 parts 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 1560-3R

    The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has requested a permit 
to annually take juvenile and adult LCR Chinook and coho, CR chum, and 
MCR steelhead while conducting research designed to (1) determine the 
diversity and distribution of fish species in the White Salmon River 
and tributaries, (2) compare populations of salmonids in the White 
Salmon and tributaries to pre-dam removal levels, (3) contribute to 
complimentary efforts by WDFW to characterize life history, genetics, 
and fish health of Chinook stocks in the lower White Salmon River. The 
USGS would capture fish by using a screw trap and backpack 
electrofishing equipment. Captured fish would be anesthetized, 
measured, weighed, and inspected for external diseases. Researchers 
would take fin clips of some captured fish in order to collect genetic 
tissues. Some juvenile fish would be PIT tagged to determine smolt trap 
efficiency and provide life history information through recaptures and 
detections at Bonneville Dam as juveniles or adults. The researchers 
would avoid adult salmonids, but some may be encountered as an 
unintentional result of sampling. The researchers do not expect to kill 
any listed salmonids but a small number may die as an unintended result 
of the research activities.

Permit 15549-2R

    The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking 
a five-year permit to expand on and extend work previously conducted 
under other research permits (Permits 1532 and 15549). The research 
would take place in Satus, Ahtanum, Naches, and Toppenish Creeks in 
Washington State. The researchers wish to take juvenile MCR steelhead 
during the course of research designed to determine the fishes' 
freshwater movements and examine how those movements are affected by 
the area's substantially altered hydrograph. They would also collect 
baseline information on stock status and yearly abundance and seek to 
determine whether repeat spawners from a kelt reconditioning program 
are successfully reproducing.
    The fish would be captured using screw traps and backpack 
electrofishing equipment. They would then be anesthetized and measured. 
Some would be tissue-sampled for DNA and some would receive passive 
integrated transponder (PIT) tags. The information gathered would be 
used to determine the fishes' movements and abundance and monitor the 
ongoing status of the various MCR steelhead populations in the Yakima 
River subbasin. The research would benefit the fish by helping managers 
determine the effectiveness of current recovery measures and design new 
ones where needed. The CRITFC does not plan to kill any of the fish 
being captured, but a few may die as an unintentional result of the 
research.

Permit 16122-2R

    The Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) are seeking a five-year 
permit to take juvenile UCR steelhead in the Okanogan River, 
Washington. The purpose of the research is to monitor steelhead 
populations in the basin. The researchers are seeking to estimate 
natural production and productivity and calculate annual population 
estimates, egg-to-emigrant survival, and emigrant-to-adult survival 
rates. The population estimates would be used to evaluate the effects 
of supplementation programs in the Okanogan River Basin and provide 
managers with the data they need to determine spawning success. The 
research would benefit the fish by giving state and Federal managers 
information on UCR steelhead status and the degree to which they are 
being

[[Page 24066]]

affected by supplementation programs in the area. The fish would be 
captured at screw trapping sites on the Okanogan River. All captured 
fish would be identified and checked for marks and tags. A subsample of 
selected fish would be measured and weighed before being released back 
into the Okanogan River. A further subsample would be marked with a 
brown dye, released upstream of the screw traps, and recaptured for the 
purpose of determining trap efficiency. The researchers do not intend 
to kill any listed salmonids, but a small number may die as an 
unintended result of the activities.

Permit 16290-3R

    The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking to 
renew permit 16290 for five years. The permit would authorize ODFW to 
take listed salmonids while conducting research on the Oregon Chub. The 
purpose of the research is to study the distribution, abundance, and 
factors limiting the recovery of Oregon chub. The ODFW would capture, 
handle, and release juvenile UWR Chinook salmon, UWR steelhead, LCR 
Chinook salmon, LCR steelhead, LCR coho salmon, and CR chum salmon 
while conducting the research. The Oregon chub is endemic to the 
Willamette Valley of Oregon and the habitats it depends on are also 
important to salmonids. Research on the Oregon chub would benefit 
listed salmonids by helping managers recover habitats shared by the 
species. The ODFW researchers would use boat electrofishing equipment, 
minnow traps, beach seines, dip nets, hoop nets, and fyke nets to 
capture juvenile fish. Researchers would avoid contact with adult fish. 
If listed salmonids are captured during the research they would be 
released immediately. The researchers do not expect to kill any listed 
salmonids but a small number may die as an unintended result of the 
research activities.

Permit 19778

    The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CCT) are 
seeking a five-year permit to monitor UCR steelhead population sizes, 
habitat use, and emigration rates in the Okanogan River and its 
tributaries in Washington State. Much of the proposed work for this 
permit was already being conducted under a previous permit (18049--now 
in its last year), but the CCT wanted to expand on that work, so rather 
than applying for a modification, they determined to seek an entirely 
new permit. The researchers would conduct their work in randomly-
selected sites on eleven tributaries to the Okanogan River. They would 
capture juvenile steelhead using backpack electrofishing units and 
soft-mesh dipnets. The captured fish would be anesthetized and 
measured, and any steelhead greater than 95mm in fork length would be 
marked with a 12mm passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag injected 
from a single-use needle. All fish less than 95mm in length would have 
their caudal fins clipped for marking purposes and, in some cases, the 
tissue would be retained for DNA analysis. The researchers would make 
two passes with the electrofishing unit in each stream reach. The 
research would benefit the listed fish in two ways: First, UCR 
steelhead status in the Okanogan River subbasin is poorly understood 
and the information generated by the research would fill that gap and 
thereby help managers design recovery strategies for the listed fish in 
that area; it would also help them guide and mitigate any future land 
management activities that could affect the fish. Second, the collected 
genetic material would be used to examine the relationship between 
natural and hatchery fish in the area--and given that hatchery 
influence is considered a limiting factor for the UCR steelhead, more 
knowledge about that interaction would help managers design actions to 
address the negative effects local hatchery programs may be having. The 
researchers do not intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a 
small number may die as an inadvertent result of the research 
activities.

Permit 19846

    The Idaho Power Company (IPC) is seeking a five-year permit to take 
juvenile and adult SR steelhead during the course of research designed 
to assess fish communities in and around the reservoirs formed by the 
Hells Canyon Complex of dams on the Snake River between Oregon and 
Idaho. The research encompasses six studies, but only two of them have 
the potential to affect salmonids listed under the ESA (1) winder bull 
trout surveys in the area between the Hells Canyon Complex and the 
Snake River's confluence with the Grande Ronde River; and (2) surveys 
for white sturgeon ion the mainstem Snake River downstream from the 
confluence with the Clearwater River in Idaho. Both of these studies 
have previously been conducted and covered under an ESA section 4(d) 
authorization overseen by the states, but it has since been determined 
that the most effective way of covering the actions would be for the 
IPC to seek a new section 10 permit. The bull trout study would be 
conducted during the winter via hook-and-line angling using barbless 
hooks. Any listed fish that are captured would immediately be released 
without further sampling, anesthetizing, etc. The white sturgeon study 
would be conducted using baited setlines on the bottom of the 
reservoirs and channel. The placement and timing of the setlines are 
such that it is very unlikely that any listed salmonids would be 
captured--none have been collected during the previous 30,000+ hours 
setlines have been in use under the 4(d) authorizations, but the 
captures could still take place. If such an event does occur, the 
listed fish would immediately be release without the researchers taking 
any further action.
    The research would benefit listed fish by gathering information on 
fish community health over a several tens of miles of mainstem habitat. 
That information, in turn, would be used by IPC managers to balance 
water releases from the Hells Canyon dams, guide restoration projects, 
and make other management decisions for the benefit of the fish. The 
researchers do not intend to kill any listed salmonids, but a few may 
dies as an inadvertent result of the activities.

Permit 19847

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking a five-year 
permit to take juvenile SR steelhead while conducting a study to assess 
abundance and habitat use among juvenile Pacific lamprey in the Snake 
River and some of its tributaries. The researchers are proposing to 
conduct stream surveys for juvenile Pacific lamprey Lampretra 
tridentatus using a specialized backpack electroshocker designed for 
use with lamprey ammocoetes. The purpose of the surveys is to identify 
and map available lamprey rearing habitat in Idaho and to evaluate the 
effectiveness of lamprey translocation program being conducted by the 
Nez Perce Tribe. Surveys would be conducted in Clearwater and Salmon 
Rivers during late summer low flows--approximately from August 15 to 
September 30 through the year 2020. The research would benefit listed 
fish by collecting important information on stream and biotic community 
health--information that would be used to help inform management 
decisions in the Salmon and Clearwater River subbasins.
    The streams would be surveyed at approximately 1 km intervals, 
focusing on slow water fine substrate areas where lamprey juveniles 
reside. The researchers would avoid riffles and deep pool areas that 
are likely to contain salmonids. At each site, approximately 30 m of 
stream would be surveyed. The

[[Page 24067]]

researchers would measure and weigh the collected lamprey and then 
return them to the collection site. The researchers could potentially 
encounter juvenile SR steelhead during the surveys, but these fish 
would not be collected or directly sampled in any way. In general, the 
risk to salmonids from the lamprey electrofisher is very small because 
few salmonids use the microhabitats (shallow slow water with fine 
sediments) in which juvenile lamprey tend to be found and because the 
electrofishing equipment would be set at a low voltage and pulse rate. 
Therefore the researchers do not intend to kill any listed salmonids, 
but a few may die as an inadvertent result of the activities.

Permit 20081

    The USFWS is seeking a five-year research permit to take MCR 
steelhead while conducting research on bull trout in the White Salmon 
River, Washington. Before its removal in 2011, Condit Dam blocked fish 
access to most of the White Salmon River basin for nearly 100 years. In 
2007 and 2010, the USFWS surveyed for and did not find any bull trout 
in the White Salmon River basin. The conclusion of those surveys was 
that bull trout were extirpated and the dam was the likely cause. The 
purpose of USFWS' current research is to evaluate whether or not bull 
trout have begun to recolonize the White Salmon River basin. The 
research would benefit listed salmonids by providing information on the 
rebounding health of the White Salmon system--data that would be used 
in the ongoing restoration efforts in the area. The USFWS would use 
backpack electrofishing gear to capture fish and would release juvenile 
steelhead immediately. The researchers do not expect to kill any 
steelhead but a small number may die as an unintended result of the 
research activities.
    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 20, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-09526 Filed 4-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 79 / Monday, April 25, 2016 / Notices                                           24065

                                                      Dated: April 19, 2016.                                Snake River (SR); threatened upper                    of sampling. The researchers do not
                                                    Sarah Brabson,                                          Willamette River (UWR).                               expect to kill any listed salmonids but
                                                    Management Analyst, Office of the Chief                   Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened                   a small number may die as an
                                                    Information Officer.                                    LCR; threatened UCR; threatened SR;                   unintended result of the research
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–09473 Filed 4–22–16; 8:45 am]             threatened UWR; threatened middle                     activities.
                                                                                                            Columbia River (MCR).
                                                    BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                                                                        Permit 15549–2R
                                                                                                              Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened
                                                                                                            Columbia River (CR).                                     The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened                Commission (CRITFC) is seeking a five-
                                                                                                            LCR.                                                  year permit to expand on and extend
                                                    National Oceanic and Atmospheric                                                                              work previously conducted under other
                                                    Administration                                          Authority                                             research permits (Permits 1532 and
                                                                                                               Scientific research permits are issued             15549). The research would take place
                                                    RIN 0648–XE577
                                                                                                            in accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A)                in Satus, Ahtanum, Naches, and
                                                    Endangered and Threatened Species;                      of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq) and               Toppenish Creeks in Washington State.
                                                    Take of Anadromous Fish                                 regulations governing listed fish and                 The researchers wish to take juvenile
                                                                                                            wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222–226).              MCR steelhead during the course of
                                                    AGENCY:   National Marine Fisheries                     NMFS issues permits based on findings                 research designed to determine the
                                                    Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                    that such permits: (1) Are applied for in             fishes’ freshwater movements and
                                                    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                      good faith; (2) if granted and exercised,             examine how those movements are
                                                    Commerce.                                               would not operate to the disadvantage                 affected by the area’s substantially
                                                    ACTION: Applications for four new                       of the listed species that are the subject            altered hydrograph. They would also
                                                    scientific research permits and four                    of the permit; and (3) are consistent                 collect baseline information on stock
                                                    permit renewals.                                        with the purposes and policy of section               status and yearly abundance and seek to
                                                                                                            2 of the ESA. The authority to take                   determine whether repeat spawners
                                                    SUMMARY:    Notice is hereby given that                 listed species is subject to conditions set           from a kelt reconditioning program are
                                                    NMFS has received eight scientific                      forth in the permits.                                 successfully reproducing.
                                                    research permit application requests                       Anyone requesting a hearing on an                     The fish would be captured using
                                                    relating to Pacific salmon, steelhead,                  application listed in this notice should              screw traps and backpack electrofishing
                                                    and eulachon. The proposed research is                  set out the specific reasons why a                    equipment. They would then be
                                                    intended to increase knowledge of                       hearing on that application would be                  anesthetized and measured. Some
                                                    species listed under the Endangered                     appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such                     would be tissue-sampled for DNA and
                                                    Species Act (ESA) and to help guide                     hearings are held at the discretion of the            some would receive passive integrated
                                                    management and conservation efforts.                    Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,                transponder (PIT) tags. The information
                                                    The applications may be viewed online                   NMFS.                                                 gathered would be used to determine
                                                    at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/                                                                       the fishes’ movements and abundance
                                                    preview_open_for_comment.cfm.                           Applications Received                                 and monitor the ongoing status of the
                                                    DATES: Comments or requests for a                       Permit 1560–3R                                        various MCR steelhead populations in
                                                    public hearing on the applications must                                                                       the Yakima River subbasin. The
                                                                                                               The United States Geological Survey                research would benefit the fish by
                                                    be received at the appropriate address or               (USGS) has requested a permit to
                                                    fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later                                                                           helping managers determine the
                                                                                                            annually take juvenile and adult LCR                  effectiveness of current recovery
                                                    than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on                    Chinook and coho, CR chum, and MCR
                                                    May 25, 2016.                                                                                                 measures and design new ones where
                                                                                                            steelhead while conducting research                   needed. The CRITFC does not plan to
                                                    ADDRESSES: Written comments on the                      designed to (1) determine the diversity               kill any of the fish being captured, but
                                                    applications should be sent to the                      and distribution of fish species in the               a few may die as an unintentional result
                                                    Protected Resources Division, NMFS,                     White Salmon River and tributaries, (2)               of the research.
                                                    1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100,                        compare populations of salmonids in
                                                    Portland, OR 97232–1274. Comments                       the White Salmon and tributaries to pre-              Permit 16122–2R
                                                    may also be sent via fax to 503–230–                    dam removal levels, (3) contribute to                    The Colville Confederated Tribes
                                                    5441 or by email to nmfs.nwr.apps@                      complimentary efforts by WDFW to                      (CCT) are seeking a five-year permit to
                                                    noaa.gov (include the permit number in                  characterize life history, genetics, and              take juvenile UCR steelhead in the
                                                    the subject line of the fax or email).                  fish health of Chinook stocks in the                  Okanogan River, Washington. The
                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob                    lower White Salmon River. The USGS                    purpose of the research is to monitor
                                                    Clapp, Portland, OR (ph.: 503–231–                      would capture fish by using a screw trap              steelhead populations in the basin. The
                                                    2314), Fax: 503–230–5441, email:                        and backpack electrofishing equipment.                researchers are seeking to estimate
                                                    Robert.Clapp@noaa.gov). Permit                          Captured fish would be anesthetized,                  natural production and productivity and
                                                    application instructions are available                  measured, weighed, and inspected for                  calculate annual population estimates,
                                                    from the address above, or online at                    external diseases. Researchers would                  egg-to-emigrant survival, and emigrant-
                                                    https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov.                             take fin clips of some captured fish in               to-adult survival rates. The population
                                                                                                            order to collect genetic tissues. Some                estimates would be used to evaluate the
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                            juvenile fish would be PIT tagged to                  effects of supplementation programs in
                                                    Species Covered in This Notice                          determine smolt trap efficiency and                   the Okanogan River Basin and provide
                                                      The following listed species are                      provide life history information through              managers with the data they need to
                                                    covered in this notice:                                 recaptures and detections at Bonneville               determine spawning success. The
                                                      Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus                          Dam as juveniles or adults. The                       research would benefit the fish by
                                                    tshawytscha): Endangered upper                          researchers would avoid adult                         giving state and Federal managers
                                                    Columbia River (UCR); threatened                        salmonids, but some may be                            information on UCR steelhead status
                                                    Lower Columbia River (LCR); threatened                  encountered as an unintentional result                and the degree to which they are being


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                                                    24066                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 79 / Monday, April 25, 2016 / Notices

                                                    affected by supplementation programs                    River. They would capture juvenile                    angling using barbless hooks. Any listed
                                                    in the area. The fish would be captured                 steelhead using backpack electrofishing               fish that are captured would
                                                    at screw trapping sites on the Okanogan                 units and soft-mesh dipnets. The                      immediately be released without further
                                                    River. All captured fish would be                       captured fish would be anesthetized and               sampling, anesthetizing, etc. The white
                                                    identified and checked for marks and                    measured, and any steelhead greater                   sturgeon study would be conducted
                                                    tags. A subsample of selected fish would                than 95mm in fork length would be                     using baited setlines on the bottom of
                                                    be measured and weighed before being                    marked with a 12mm passive integrated                 the reservoirs and channel. The
                                                    released back into the Okanogan River.                  transponder (PIT) tag injected from a                 placement and timing of the setlines are
                                                    A further subsample would be marked                     single-use needle. All fish less than                 such that it is very unlikely that any
                                                    with a brown dye, released upstream of                  95mm in length would have their                       listed salmonids would be captured—
                                                    the screw traps, and recaptured for the                 caudal fins clipped for marking                       none have been collected during the
                                                    purpose of determining trap efficiency.                 purposes and, in some cases, the tissue               previous 30,000+ hours setlines have
                                                    The researchers do not intend to kill any               would be retained for DNA analysis.                   been in use under the 4(d)
                                                    listed salmonids, but a small number                    The researchers would make two passes                 authorizations, but the captures could
                                                    may die as an unintended result of the                  with the electrofishing unit in each                  still take place. If such an event does
                                                    activities.                                             stream reach. The research would                      occur, the listed fish would immediately
                                                                                                            benefit the listed fish in two ways: First,           be release without the researchers taking
                                                    Permit 16290–3R
                                                                                                            UCR steelhead status in the Okanogan                  any further action.
                                                       The Oregon Department of Fish and                    River subbasin is poorly understood and                  The research would benefit listed fish
                                                    Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking to renew                     the information generated by the                      by gathering information on fish
                                                    permit 16290 for five years. The permit                 research would fill that gap and thereby              community health over a several tens of
                                                    would authorize ODFW to take listed                     help managers design recovery                         miles of mainstem habitat. That
                                                    salmonids while conducting research on                  strategies for the listed fish in that area;          information, in turn, would be used by
                                                    the Oregon Chub. The purpose of the                     it would also help them guide and                     IPC managers to balance water releases
                                                    research is to study the distribution,                  mitigate any future land management                   from the Hells Canyon dams, guide
                                                    abundance, and factors limiting the                     activities that could affect the fish.                restoration projects, and make other
                                                    recovery of Oregon chub. The ODFW                       Second, the collected genetic material                management decisions for the benefit of
                                                    would capture, handle, and release                      would be used to examine the                          the fish. The researchers do not intend
                                                    juvenile UWR Chinook salmon, UWR                        relationship between natural and                      to kill any listed salmonids, but a few
                                                    steelhead, LCR Chinook salmon, LCR                      hatchery fish in the area—and given that              may dies as an inadvertent result of the
                                                    steelhead, LCR coho salmon, and CR                      hatchery influence is considered a                    activities.
                                                    chum salmon while conducting the                        limiting factor for the UCR steelhead,
                                                    research. The Oregon chub is endemic                                                                          Permit 19847
                                                                                                            more knowledge about that interaction
                                                    to the Willamette Valley of Oregon and                  would help managers design actions to                    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
                                                    the habitats it depends on are also                     address the negative effects local                    (FWS) is seeking a five-year permit to
                                                    important to salmonids. Research on the                 hatchery programs may be having. The                  take juvenile SR steelhead while
                                                    Oregon chub would benefit listed                        researchers do not intend to kill any of              conducting a study to assess abundance
                                                    salmonids by helping managers recover                   the fish being captured, but a small                  and habitat use among juvenile Pacific
                                                    habitats shared by the species. The                     number may die as an inadvertent result               lamprey in the Snake River and some of
                                                    ODFW researchers would use boat                         of the research activities.                           its tributaries. The researchers are
                                                    electrofishing equipment, minnow                                                                              proposing to conduct stream surveys for
                                                    traps, beach seines, dip nets, hoop nets,               Permit 19846                                          juvenile Pacific lamprey Lampretra
                                                    and fyke nets to capture juvenile fish.                    The Idaho Power Company (IPC) is                   tridentatus using a specialized backpack
                                                    Researchers would avoid contact with                    seeking a five-year permit to take                    electroshocker designed for use with
                                                    adult fish. If listed salmonids are                     juvenile and adult SR steelhead during                lamprey ammocoetes. The purpose of
                                                    captured during the research they                       the course of research designed to assess             the surveys is to identify and map
                                                    would be released immediately. The                      fish communities in and around the                    available lamprey rearing habitat in
                                                    researchers do not expect to kill any                   reservoirs formed by the Hells Canyon                 Idaho and to evaluate the effectiveness
                                                    listed salmonids but a small number                     Complex of dams on the Snake River                    of lamprey translocation program being
                                                    may die as an unintended result of the                  between Oregon and Idaho. The                         conducted by the Nez Perce Tribe.
                                                    research activities.                                    research encompasses six studies, but                 Surveys would be conducted in
                                                                                                            only two of them have the potential to                Clearwater and Salmon Rivers during
                                                    Permit 19778                                            affect salmonids listed under the ESA                 late summer low flows—approximately
                                                       The Confederated Tribes of the                       (1) winder bull trout surveys in the area             from August 15 to September 30
                                                    Colville Reservation (CCT) are seeking a                between the Hells Canyon Complex and                  through the year 2020. The research
                                                    five-year permit to monitor UCR                         the Snake River’s confluence with the                 would benefit listed fish by collecting
                                                    steelhead population sizes, habitat use,                Grande Ronde River; and (2) surveys for               important information on stream and
                                                    and emigration rates in the Okanogan                    white sturgeon ion the mainstem Snake                 biotic community health—information
                                                    River and its tributaries in Washington                 River downstream from the confluence                  that would be used to help inform
                                                    State. Much of the proposed work for                    with the Clearwater River in Idaho. Both              management decisions in the Salmon
                                                    this permit was already being conducted                 of these studies have previously been                 and Clearwater River subbasins.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    under a previous permit (18049—now                      conducted and covered under an ESA                       The streams would be surveyed at
                                                    in its last year), but the CCT wanted to                section 4(d) authorization overseen by                approximately 1 km intervals, focusing
                                                    expand on that work, so rather than                     the states, but it has since been                     on slow water fine substrate areas where
                                                    applying for a modification, they                       determined that the most effective way                lamprey juveniles reside. The
                                                    determined to seek an entirely new                      of covering the actions would be for the              researchers would avoid riffles and deep
                                                    permit. The researchers would conduct                   IPC to seek a new section 10 permit. The              pool areas that are likely to contain
                                                    their work in randomly-selected sites on                bull trout study would be conducted                   salmonids. At each site, approximately
                                                    eleven tributaries to the Okanogan                      during the winter via hook-and-line                   30 m of stream would be surveyed. The


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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 79 / Monday, April 25, 2016 / Notices                                                  24067

                                                    researchers would measure and weigh                        Dated: April 20, 2016.                             this roundtable of stakeholders and
                                                    the collected lamprey and then return                   Angela Somma,                                         experts as a first step in improving the
                                                    them to the collection site. The                        Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office            information available to data users and
                                                    researchers could potentially encounter                 of Protected Resources, National Marine               other stakeholders. The goal of this
                                                    juvenile SR steelhead during the                        Fisheries Service.                                    roundtable is to get input from
                                                    surveys, but these fish would not be                    [FR Doc. 2016–09526 Filed 4–22–16; 8:45 am]           stakeholders on what additional data
                                                    collected or directly sampled in any                    BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                and analysis on cross-border data flows
                                                    way. In general, the risk to salmonids                                                                        is necessary.
                                                    from the lamprey electrofisher is very                                                                           NTIA will post a detailed agenda on
                                                                                                            DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                    small because few salmonids use the                                                                           its Web site, www.ntia.doc.gov, prior to
                                                    microhabitats (shallow slow water with                  National Telecommunications and                       the meeting. The roundtable will
                                                    fine sediments) in which juvenile                       Information Administration                            include two-break-out sessions during
                                                    lamprey tend to be found and because                                                                          which subject-matter experts will be
                                                    the electrofishing equipment would be                   Measuring Cross-Border Data Flows:                    divided into small groups for the
                                                    set at a low voltage and pulse rate.                    Unmet Data Needs Roundtable
                                                                                                                                                                  purpose of providing insight and
                                                    Therefore the researchers do not intend                 AGENCY:  National Telecommunications                  feedback on specific questions related to
                                                    to kill any listed salmonids, but a few                 and Information Administration, U.S.                  data needs. After each session, the
                                                    may die as an inadvertent result of the                 Department of Commerce.                               groups will be asked to briefly report
                                                    activities.                                             ACTION: Notice of open meeting.                       back the main takeaways from their
                                                    Permit 20081                                                                                                  discussions. Agenda topics and format
                                                                                                            SUMMARY:    As part of the Digital
                                                                                                                                                                  are subject to change.
                                                       The USFWS is seeking a five-year                     Economy Agenda, the Department of
                                                                                                            Commerce is working to identify data                     The roundtable will be open to
                                                    research permit to take MCR steelhead                                                                         observers and press on a first-come,
                                                                                                            gaps in measuring the importance of
                                                    while conducting research on bull trout                                                                       first-served basis. Space is limited.
                                                                                                            cross-border data flows and the
                                                    in the White Salmon River, Washington.                  economic impact of restrictions to the                Attendees must present valid
                                                    Before its removal in 2011, Condit Dam                  free-flow of data. Through this Notice,               government-issued photo identification
                                                    blocked fish access to most of the White                we announce a roundtable to facilitate                upon arrival in order to enter the
                                                    Salmon River basin for nearly 100 years.                a discussion with stakeholders and                    building.
                                                    In 2007 and 2010, the USFWS surveyed                    experts as a first step in improving the
                                                    for and did not find any bull trout in the                                                                       So that we may plan appropriately to
                                                                                                            Department’s understanding of those
                                                    White Salmon River basin. The                                                                                 accommodate all interested persons,
                                                                                                            data gaps and related economic
                                                    conclusion of those surveys was that                                                                          attendees are asked to provide prior
                                                                                                            questions.
                                                    bull trout were extirpated and the dam                                                                        notice of their intention to attend by
                                                                                                            DATES: The roundtable will be held on                 sending an email to Giulia McHenry at
                                                    was the likely cause. The purpose of                    May 9, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00
                                                    USFWS’ current research is to evaluate                                                                        or gmchenry@ntia.doc.gov, or Jessica
                                                                                                            p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.                          Nicholson at jnicholson@doc.gov no
                                                    whether or not bull trout have begun to                 ADDRESSES: The roundtable will be held
                                                    recolonize the White Salmon River                                                                             later than Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 12
                                                                                                            at the Bureau of Labor Statistics                     p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.
                                                    basin. The research would benefit listed                Conference Center, 2 Massachusetts
                                                    salmonids by providing information on                   Avenue NE., Washington, DC                               The public meeting is physically
                                                    the rebounding health of the White                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                                  accessible to people with disabilities.
                                                    Salmon system—data that would be                        Giulia McHenry, Chief Economist,                      Individuals requiring accommodations,
                                                    used in the ongoing restoration efforts in              NTIA, at (202) 482–0061 or                            such as sign language interpretation or
                                                    the area. The USFWS would use                           gmchenry@ntia.doc.gov; Jessica                        other ancillary aids, are asked to notify
                                                    backpack electrofishing gear to capture                 Nicholson, Economist, Office of the                   Giulia McHenry at (202) 482–0061 or
                                                    fish and would release juvenile                         Chief Economist, Department of                        gmchenry@ntia.doc.gov, at least five (5)
                                                    steelhead immediately. The researchers                  Commerce at (202) 482–2343 or                         business days before the meeting.
                                                    do not expect to kill any steelhead but                 jnicholson@doc.gov and/or visit NTIA’s                   Please contact Giulia McHenry at
                                                    a small number may die as an                            Web site at www.ntia.doc.gov.                         (202) 482–0061 or
                                                    unintended result of the research                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The                        gmchenry@ntia.doc.gov; Jessica
                                                    activities.                                             Department of Commerce (Commerce)                     Nicholson at (202) 482–2343 or
                                                       This notice is provided pursuant to                  recognizes that worldwide data usage                  jnicholson@doc.gov; and/or visit NTIA’s
                                                    section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will                     and data flows between countries are                  Web site at www.ntia.doc.gov for the
                                                    evaluate the applications, associated                   growing and becoming an increasingly                  most up-to-date meeting agenda and
                                                    documents, and comments submitted to                    important component of international                  access information.
                                                    determine whether the applications                      trade and communication between
                                                                                                            individuals and businesses worldwide.                   Dated: April 20, 2016.
                                                    meet the requirements of section 10(a)                                                                        Kathy D. Smith,
                                                                                                            It is generally accepted that cross-border
                                                    of the ESA and Federal regulations. The
                                                                                                            data flows increase economic
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                                  Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications
                                                    final permit decisions will not be made                 opportunity and restrictions to these                 and Information Administration.
                                                    until after the end of the 30-day                       flows are economically detrimental, but               [FR Doc. 2016–09500 Filed 4–22–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    comment period. NMFS will publish                       there is relatively little supporting data            BILLING CODE 3510–60–P
                                                    notice of its final action in the Federal               or evidence. Commerce is working to
                                                    Register.                                               identify data gaps in measuring the
                                                                                                            importance of cross-border data flows
                                                                                                            and the economic impact of restrictions
                                                                                                            to the free-flow of data. We are hosting


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Document Created: 2016-04-23 01:38:29
Document Modified: 2016-04-23 01:38:29
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
ActionApplications for four new scientific research permits and four permit renewals.
DatesComments or requests for a public hearing on the applications
ContactRob Clapp, Portland, OR (ph.: 503-231- 2314), Fax: 503-230-5441, email: [email protected]). Permit
FR Citation81 FR 24065 
RIN Number0648-XE57

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