81_FR_33570 81 FR 33468 - Endangered and Threatened Species; 5-Year Reviews for 28 Listed Species of Pacific Salmon, Steelhead, and Eulachon

81 FR 33468 - Endangered and Threatened Species; 5-Year Reviews for 28 Listed Species of Pacific Salmon, Steelhead, and Eulachon

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 102 (May 26, 2016)

Page Range33468-33469
FR Document2016-12454

NMFS' West Coast Region announces the availability of 5-year reviews for 17 evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.), 10 distinct population segments (DPSs) of steelhead (O. mykiss), and the southern DPS of eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The purpose of the reviews was to evaluate whether the listing classifications of these species remains accurate or should be changed. After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial data, we conclude that no changes in the ESA-listing status for the 27 salmonid ESUs and DPSs, or the southern DPS of eulachon, are warranted at this time.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 102 (Thursday, May 26, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 102 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33468-33469]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12454]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD756


Endangered and Threatened Species; 5-Year Reviews for 28 Listed 
Species of Pacific Salmon, Steelhead, and Eulachon

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: NMFS' West Coast Region announces the availability of 5-year 
reviews for 17 evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of Pacific 
salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.), 10 distinct population segments (DPSs) of 
steelhead (O. mykiss), and the southern DPS of eulachon (Thaleichthys 
pacificus) as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (ESA). The purpose of the reviews was to evaluate whether the 
listing classifications of these species remains accurate or should be 
changed. After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial 
data, we conclude that no changes in the ESA-listing status for the 27 
salmonid ESUs and DPSs, or the southern DPS of eulachon, are warranted 
at this time.

ADDRESSES: Additional information about the 5-year reviews may be 
obtained by visiting the NMFS West Coast Region's Web site: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov, or by writing to us at: NMFS West 
Coast Region, Protected Resources Division, 1201 Lloyd Blvd., Suite 
1100, Portland, OR 97232.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Scott Rumsey at the above address, 
by phone at (503) 872-2791, or by email at scott.rumsey@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of 
listed species at least once every 5 years. On the basis of such 
reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any species 
should be removed from the list (delisted), or reclassified from 
endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. During 5-
year reviews, we consider the best scientific and commercial data 
available, including new information that has become available since 
the last listing determination or most recent status review of a 
species.
    On February 6, 2015, the NMFS West Coast Region announced 
initiation of 5-year reviews of all 28 ESA-listed Pacific salmon ESUs 
and steelhead DPSs, the southern DPS of eulachon, and three DPSs of 
Puget Sound rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) (80 FR 6695). Both ESUs and DPSs 
are treated as `species' under the ESA. At the time of our 
announcement, we requested information on species viability, threats to 
the species, and protective efforts, from the public, concerned 
governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, environmental 
entities, and other interested parties.
    This notice addresses the following ESUs and DPSs: (1) Sacramento 
River winter-run Chinook salmon ESU; (2)

[[Page 33469]]

Upper Columbia River spring-run Chinook salmon ESU; (3) Snake River 
spring/summer-run Chinook salmon ESU; (4) Central Valley spring-run 
Chinook salmon ESU; (5) California Coastal Chinook salmon ESU; (6) 
Puget Sound Chinook salmon ESU; (7) Lower Columbia River Chinook salmon 
ESU; (8) Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon ESU; (9) Hood Canal 
summer-run chum salmon ESU; (10) Columbia River chum salmon ESU; (11) 
Central California Coast coho salmon ESU; (12) Southern Oregon/Northern 
California Coast coho salmon ESU; (13) Lower Columbia River coho salmon 
ESU; (14) Oregon Coast coho salmon ESU; (15) Snake River sockeye salmon 
ESU; (16) Ozette Lake sockeye salmon ESU; (17) Southern California 
steelhead DPS; (18) Upper Columbia River steelhead DPS; (19) Middle 
Columbia River steelhead DPS; (20) Snake River Basin steelhead DPS; 
(21) Lower Columbia River steelhead DPS; (22) Upper Willamette River 
steelhead DPS; (23) South-Central California Coast steelhead DPS; (24) 
Central California Coast steelhead DPS; (25) Northern California 
steelhead DPS; (26) California Central Valley steelhead DPS; (27) Puget 
Sound steelhead DPS; and (28) the southern DPS of eulachon.
    On January 16, 2015, we received a petition from the Chinook 
Futures Coalition to delist the Snake River fall-run Chinook ESU under 
the ESA. On April 22, 2015, we published a positive 90-day finding (80 
FR 22468) that the petition presented substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be 
warranted, and we announced the initiation of a status review. While 
the Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon ESU was included as part of our 
5-year reviews of West Coast salmon and steelhead, the results of our 
review of Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon and our finding on the 
delisting petition are addressed in a separate notice in this issue of 
the Federal Register. The 5-year review findings for the three Puget 
Sound/Georgia Basin DPSs of yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish, and 
bocaccio rockfish will be announced separately on our Web site: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov.
    We used a multi-step process to complete the subject 5-year review. 
First, we asked scientists from NMFS' Northwest and Southwest Fisheries 
Science Centers to collect and analyze new information about species 
viability. To evaluate species viability, our scientists evaluate four 
criteria--abundance, productivity, spatial structure, and diversity. 
They also considered new genetic and biogeographic information 
regarding species' ranges. At the end of this process, the Northwest 
and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers prepared two reports detailing 
the results of their analyses.
    Next, biologists from the NMFS West Coast Region with expertise in 
salmonid hatchery management conducted a review of all West Coast 
salmonid hatchery programs associated with the ESA-listed salmon and 
steelhead. Their evaluation was guided by NMFS' Policy on the 
Consideration of Hatchery-Origin Fish in Endangered Species Act Listing 
Determinations for Pacific Salmon and Steelhead (Hatchery Listing 
Policy) (70 FR 37204; June 28, 2005). A memorandum (Jones 2015) 
summarizes their evaluation of the relatedness of related hatchery 
stocks relative to the local natural populations to determine if the 
stocks warrant inclusion as part of the respective ESA listings.
    Finally, we formed geographically-based teams of salmon and 
eulachon management biologists from our West Coast Region to evaluate 
information related to the five ESA section 4(a)(1) listing factors. 
These section 4(a)(1) factors are: (1) The present or threatened 
destruction, modification, or curtailment of the species' habitat or 
range; (2) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or man-made 
factors affecting the species' continued existence. These teams 
produced ``5-Year Review Reports'' that incorporate the findings of the 
Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers' reports, summarize 
new information concerning the delineation of the subject ESUs and DPSs 
and inclusion of closely related salmonid hatchery programs, and detail 
the evaluation of the ESA section 4(a)(1) listing factors. The 
Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers' reports, the 5-year 
review reports, and additional information are available on our Web 
site: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov.

Findings

    After considering the best available information, we conclude that 
the 17 Pacific salmon ESUs, the 10 steelhead DPSs, and the southern DPS 
of eulachon detailed above shall remain listed as currently classified.
    We also conclude that, based on the best information available, no 
adjustments to the species' ranges are necessary. We did conclude that 
the species membership of several salmonid hatchery programs will need 
to be revised. We will adjust the hatchery memberships through a 
subsequent rulemaking.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: May 23, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-12454 Filed 5-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

33468 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 102 / Thursday, May 26, 2016 / Notices 2:50 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (check agenda on FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosa reviews for 17 evolutionarily significant Web site to confirm time.) The González or Amy Hapeman, (301) 427– units (ESUs) of Pacific salmon Committee expects that public 8401. (Oncorhynchus sp.), 10 distinct statements presented at its meetings will SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March population segments (DPSs) of steelhead not be repetitive of previously 12, 2014, notice was published in the (O. mykiss), and the southern DPS of submitted verbal or written statements. Federal Register (79 FR 13991) that a eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) as In general, each individual or group request for a scientific research permit required by the Endangered Species Act making a verbal presentation will be to take sea turtles had been submitted of 1973, as amended (ESA). The purpose limited to a total time of three (3) by the above-named individual. The of the reviews was to evaluate whether minutes. Written comments should be requested permit has been issued under the listing classifications of these received by the Designated Federal the authority of the Endangered Species species remains accurate or should be Official by June 17, 2016 to provide Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 changed. After reviewing the best sufficient time for Committee review. U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations available scientific and commercial Written comments received after June governing the taking, importing, and data, we conclude that no changes in 17, 2016, will be distributed to the exporting of endangered and threatened the ESA-listing status for the 27 Committee, but may not be reviewed species (50 CFR parts 222–226). salmonid ESUs and DPSs, or the prior to the meeting date. Permit No. 18029 authorizes Dr. Metz southern DPS of eulachon, are MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The meeting to capture loggerhead, green, Kemp’s warranted at this time. will focus on review of draft ridley, and hawksbill sea turtles using ADDRESSES: Additional information recommendations on how the U.S. IOOS nets to continue studying relative about the 5-year reviews may be Program Office could improve the abundance, distribution, habitat use, obtained by visiting the NMFS West Ocean Technology Transition (OTT) and health status of the above sea turtle Coast Region’s Web site: http:// Program. The agenda is subject to species in estuarine and nearshore www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov, or by change. The latest version will be waters in the northwestern Gulf of writing to us at: NMFS West Coast posted at https://ioos.noaa.gov/ Mexico particularly off Texas and Region, Protected Resources Division, community/u-s-ioos-advisory- Louisiana. Visual surveys by vessel may 1201 Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, committee/. also be performed. Captured turtles OR 97232. would be examined, biologically Dated: May 16, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. sampled, and tagged prior to release. A Zdenka Willis, Scott Rumsey at the above address, by select number may be outfitted with Director, U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing phone at (503) 872–2791, or by email at satellite transmitters to track movements System Office. scott.rumsey@noaa.gov. post-release. The permit expires on May [FR Doc. 2016–12475 Filed 5–25–16; 8:45 am] 31, 2021. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BILLING CODE P Issuance of this permit, as required by Background the ESA, was based on a finding that such permit (1) was applied for in good Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE faith, (2) will not operate to the that we conduct a review of listed disadvantage of such endangered or species at least once every 5 years. On National Oceanic and Atmospheric threatened species, and (3) is consistent the basis of such reviews under section Administration with the purposes and policies set forth 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any in section 2 of the ESA. species should be removed from the list RIN 0648–XD162 (delisted), or reclassified from Dated: May 23, 2016. endangered to threatened or from Endangered Species; File No. 18029 Julia Harrison, threatened to endangered. During 5-year AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, reviews, we consider the best scientific Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Office of Protected Resources, National and commercial data available, Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Marine Fisheries Service. including new information that has Commerce. [FR Doc. 2016–12445 Filed 5–25–16; 8:45 am] become available since the last listing ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P determination or most recent status review of a species. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that On February 6, 2015, the NMFS West Tasha L. Metz, Ph.D., Texas A&M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Coast Region announced initiation of University at Galveston, Department of 5-year reviews of all 28 ESA-listed Marine Biology, P.O. Box 1675, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Pacific salmon ESUs and steelhead Galveston, TX 77551 has been issued a Administration DPSs, the southern DPS of eulachon, permit to take loggerhead (Caretta RIN 0648–XD756 and three DPSs of Puget Sound caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) (80 FR 6695). Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), Endangered and Threatened Species; Both ESUs and DPSs are treated as and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) 5-Year Reviews for 28 Listed Species ‘species’ under the ESA. At the time of sea turtles for purposes of scientific of Pacific Salmon, Steelhead, and our announcement, we requested research. Eulachon information on species viability, threats ADDRESSES: The permit and related to the species, and protective efforts, sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries documents are available for review Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and from the public, concerned upon written request or by appointment Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), governmental agencies, Tribes, the in the Permits and Conservation Commerce. scientific community, environmental Division, Office of Protected Resources, ACTION: Notice of availability. entities, and other interested parties. NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room This notice addresses the following 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone SUMMARY: NMFS’ West Coast Region ESUs and DPSs: (1) Sacramento River (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. announces the availability of 5-year winter-run Chinook salmon ESU; (2) VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 May 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 102 / Thursday, May 26, 2016 / Notices 33469 Upper Columbia River spring-run species’ ranges. At the end of this memberships through a subsequent Chinook salmon ESU; (3) Snake River process, the Northwest and Southwest rulemaking. spring/summer-run Chinook salmon Fisheries Science Centers prepared two Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ESU; (4) Central Valley spring-run reports detailing the results of their Dated: May 23, 2016. Chinook salmon ESU; (5) California analyses. Coastal Chinook salmon ESU; (6) Puget Next, biologists from the NMFS West Angela Somma, Sound Chinook salmon ESU; (7) Lower Coast Region with expertise in salmonid Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office Columbia River Chinook salmon ESU; hatchery management conducted a of Protected Resources, National Marine review of all West Coast salmonid Fisheries Service. (8) Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon ESU; (9) Hood Canal summer- hatchery programs associated with the [FR Doc. 2016–12454 Filed 5–25–16; 8:45 am] run chum salmon ESU; (10) Columbia ESA-listed salmon and steelhead. Their BILLING CODE 3510–22–P River chum salmon ESU; (11) Central evaluation was guided by NMFS’ Policy California Coast coho salmon ESU; (12) on the Consideration of Hatchery-Origin Southern Oregon/Northern California Fish in Endangered Species Act Listing DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Coast coho salmon ESU; (13) Lower Determinations for Pacific Salmon and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Columbia River coho salmon ESU; (14) Steelhead (Hatchery Listing Policy) (70 Administration Oregon Coast coho salmon ESU; (15) FR 37204; June 28, 2005). A Snake River sockeye salmon ESU; (16) memorandum (Jones 2015) summarizes [Docket No. 150211136–6422–02] Ozette Lake sockeye salmon ESU; (17) their evaluation of the relatedness of RIN 0648–XD769 Southern California steelhead DPS; (18) related hatchery stocks relative to the Upper Columbia River steelhead DPS; local natural populations to determine if Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (19) Middle Columbia River steelhead the stocks warrant inclusion as part of and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding DPS; (20) Snake River Basin steelhead the respective ESA listings. on a Petition To Delist the Snake River DPS; (21) Lower Columbia River Finally, we formed geographically- Fall-Run Chinook Salmon steelhead DPS; (22) Upper Willamette based teams of salmon and eulachon Evolutionarily Significant Unit Under River steelhead DPS; (23) South-Central management biologists from our West the Endangered Species Act (ESA) California Coast steelhead DPS; (24) Coast Region to evaluate information Central California Coast steelhead DPS; related to the five ESA section 4(a)(1) AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries (25) Northern California steelhead DPS; listing factors. These section 4(a)(1) Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and (26) California Central Valley steelhead factors are: (1) The present or threatened Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), DPS; (27) Puget Sound steelhead DPS; destruction, modification, or Commerce. and (28) the southern DPS of eulachon. curtailment of the species’ habitat or ACTION: Notice of 12-month finding and On January 16, 2015, we received a range; (2) overutilization for availability of 5-year reviews. petition from the Chinook Futures commercial, recreational, scientific, or Coalition to delist the Snake River fall- educational purposes; (3) disease or SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce a 12- run Chinook ESU under the ESA. On predation; (4) inadequacy of existing month finding on a petition to delist the April 22, 2015, we published a positive regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon 90-day finding (80 FR 22468) that the natural or man-made factors affecting (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) (Snake petition presented substantial scientific the species’ continued existence. These River fall-run Chinook) Evolutionarily or commercial information indicating teams produced ‘‘5-Year Review Significant Unit (ESU) under the that the petitioned action may be Reports’’ that incorporate the findings of Endangered Species Act (ESA). The warranted, and we announced the the Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Snake River fall-run Chinook ESU was initiation of a status review. While the Science Centers’ reports, summarize listed as threatened under the ESA in Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon new information concerning the 1992. We have completed a ESU was included as part of our 5-year delineation of the subject ESUs and comprehensive review of the status of reviews of West Coast salmon and DPSs and inclusion of closely related the species in response to the petition. steelhead, the results of our review of salmonid hatchery programs, and detail Based on the best scientific and Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon the evaluation of the ESA section 4(a)(1) commercial data available, we have and our finding on the delisting petition listing factors. The Northwest and determined that delisting of the Snake are addressed in a separate notice in this Southwest Fisheries Science Centers’ River fall-run Chinook ESU is not issue of the Federal Register. The 5-year reports, the 5-year review reports, and warranted at this time. We conclude review findings for the three Puget additional information are available on that the Snake River fall-run Chinook is Sound/Georgia Basin DPSs of yelloweye our Web site: http:// likely to become an endangered species rockfish, canary rockfish, and bocaccio www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov. within the foreseeable future throughout rockfish will be announced separately all or a significant portion of its range, on our Web site: http:// Findings and will remain listed as a threatened www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov. After considering the best available species under the ESA. We also We used a multi-step process to information, we conclude that the 17 announce the availability of 5-year complete the subject 5-year review. Pacific salmon ESUs, the 10 steelhead reviews, prepared pursuant to ESA, for First, we asked scientists from NMFS’ DPSs, and the southern DPS of eulachon four Snake River salmonid species: The Northwest and Southwest Fisheries detailed above shall remain listed as Snake River fall-run Chinook ESU, the Science Centers to collect and analyze currently classified. Snake River sockeye salmon ESU, the sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES new information about species viability. We also conclude that, based on the Snake River spring/summer Chinook To evaluate species viability, our best information available, no salmon ESU, and the Snake River scientists evaluate four criteria— adjustments to the species’ ranges are steelhead distinct population segment abundance, productivity, spatial necessary. We did conclude that the (DPS). We combined our evaluations structure, and diversity. They also species membership of several salmonid and findings for these four species into considered new genetic and hatchery programs will need to be a joint report. This 5-Year Review biogeographic information regarding revised. We will adjust the hatchery Report determined that the four Snake VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 May 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1


Document Created: 2016-05-26 01:14:06
Document Modified: 2016-05-26 01:14:06
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 of availability.
FR Citation81 FR 33468 
RIN Number0648-XD75
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