81 FR 74769 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 208 (October 27, 2016)

Page Range		74769-74770
FR Document		2016-25922

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received six scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon and steelhead. 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 208 (Thursday, October 27, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 208 (Thursday, October 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74769-74770]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25922]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[0648-XE982]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Applications for five scientific research permit renewals and 
one permit modification.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received six scientific 
research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon and 
steelhead. 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 November 28, 
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 Snake River (SR) spring/summer (spr/
sum); threatened SR fall.
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened UCR; threatened SR; threatened 
middle Columbia River (MCR).
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Endangered SR.

Authority

    Scientific research permits are issued in accordance with section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and regulations 
governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR 222-226). NMFS 
issues permits based on findings that such permits: (1) are applied for 
in good faith; (2) if granted and exercised, would not operate to the 
disadvantage of the listed species that are the subject of the permit; 
and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policy of section 2 of the 
ESA. The authority to take listed species is subject to conditions set 
forth in the permits.
    Anyone requesting a hearing on an application listed in this notice 
should set out the specific reasons why a hearing on that application 
would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such hearings are held at the 
discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS.

Applications Received

Permit 1339--4R
    The Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) under the authorization of the Columbia 
River Intertribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking to renew for five 
years its permit to annually take adult and juvenile SR spr/sum Chinook 
salmon and SR steelhead while conducting research in a number of the 
tributaries to the Imnaha River (Cow, Lightning, Horse, Big Sheep, 
Camp, Little Sheep, Freezeout, Grouse, Crazyman, Mahogany, and Gumboot 
Creeks), the Grande Ronde River (Joseph Creek, Wenaha and Minam 
rivers), the Clearwater River (South Fork Clearwater River and Lolo 
Creek), and the Snake River (Lower Granite Dam adult trap). The Imnaha 
and Grande Ronde Rivers are in northeastern Oregon, the Clearwater is 
in Idaho, and the work in the Snake River would take place in 
Washington. The permit would be a renewal of work the NPT has been 
conducting for well over a decade in the Northwest.
    The purpose of the research is to acquire information on the status 
(escapement abundance, genetic structure, life history traits) of 
juvenile and adult steelhead in the Imnaha, Grande Ronde, and 
Clearwater River basins. The research would benefit the listed species 
by providing information on current status that fishery managers can 
use to determine if recovery actions are helping increase wild Snake 
River salmonid populations. Baseline information on steelhead 
populations in the Imnaha, Grande Ronde, and Clearwater River basins 
would also be used to help guide future management actions. Adult and 
juvenile salmon and steelhead would be observed, harassed, handled, and 
marked. The researchers would use temporary/portable picket and 
resistance board weirs and rotary screw traps to capture the fish and 
would then sample them for biological information (fin tissue and scale 
samples). They may also mark some of the fish with opercule punches, 
fin clips, dyes, and PIT, floy, and/or Tyvek disk tags. Adult steelhead 
carcasses would also be collected and sampled. The researchers do not 
intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small number may 
die as an unintended result of the activities.
1341--5R
    The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Tribes) are seeking to renew for five 
years their permit to take SR sockeye salmon and SR spr/sum Chinook 
salmon while conducting research designed to estimate their overwinter 
survival and downstream migration survival and timing. The researchers 
would also conduct limnological studies on the lakes and monitor 
sockeye rearing. This research--which has been conducted every year 
since 1996--would continue to provide information on the relative 
success of the Pettit and Alturas Lakes (Idaho) sockeye salmon 
reintroduction programs and thereby benefit the listed fish by 
improving those programs. Juvenile SR sockeye salmon, spr/sum Chinook 
salmon, and steelhead would be collected at Pettit and Alturas Lakes, 
ID, using rotary screw traps and weirs. The fish would be sampled for 
biological information and released or tagged with passive integrated 
transponders and released. In addition, to determine trap efficiencies, 
a portion of the tagged juvenile SR

[[Page 74770]]

sockeye salmon would be released upstream of the traps, captured at the 
traps a second time, and re-released. The Tribes do not intend to kill 
any of the fish being captured, but a small percentage may die as an 
unintended result of the research activities.
1465--4R
    The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) is seeking to 
renew for five years their permit to annually take juvenile threatened 
SR steelhead, threatened SR fall Chinook salmon, threatened SR spr/sum 
Chinook salmon, and endangered SR sockeye salmon during the course of 
two research projects designed to ascertain the condition of many Idaho 
streams. The purposes of the research are to (a) determine whether 
aquatic life is being properly supported in Idaho's rivers, streams, 
and lakes, and (b) assess the overall condition of Idaho's surface 
waters. The fish would benefit from the research because the data it 
produces would be used to inform decisions about how and where to 
protect and improve water quality in the state. The researchers would 
use backpack- and boat electrofishing equipment to capture the fish. 
They would then be weighed and measured (some may be anesthetized to 
limit stress) and released. The IDEQ does not intend to kill any of the 
fish being captured, but a small percentage may die as an unintended 
result of the research activities.
Permit 16521--2R
    The WDFW is seeking a to renew for five years their permit to 
annually capture, handle, and release juvenile UCR steelhead and 
Chinook salmon in the Hanford reach of the Columbia River and near the 
Tri-Cities, Washington. The purpose of the research is to gather data 
on fall Chinook abundance, length frequency distribution, and losses in 
the area. The information collected from these surveys has been used 
and continues to be used to evaluate protections for juvenile fall 
Chinook under the Hanford Reach Fall Chinook Protection Program 
Agreement and gauge the efficacy of the Coded Wire Tagging Program for 
marking of wild up-river bright fall Chinook in the Hanford Reach. 
These surveys can provide biologists and managers with definitive data 
on the presence or impacts on both non-listed and ESA Listed Chinook 
and steelhead residing in near shore habitats in this area of the 
Columbia River. These data, in turn, would be used to help guide 
management actions for the benefit of the listed species in the future. 
The researchers would use beach seines and backpack electrofishing 
equipment to capture the fish. The captured fish would be anesthetized, 
measured, allowed to recover, and released back to the river. The 
researchers do not expect to kill any listed fish, but a small number 
may die as an unintended result of the research activities.
Permit 16446--2R
    The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) 
are seeking to renew for five years their permit to take MCR steelhead 
during the course of research designed to monitor listed fish 
population status in the Walla Walla River watershed, Washington. The 
data gathered (on fish abundance, trends, genetics, diversity, 
productivity, and population structure) would be used to inform 
management decisions regarding land use activities and recovery 
planning in the Walla Walla sub-basin. The researchers would use rotary 
screw traps and backpack electrofishing units to capture the fish. At 
the screw traps, the fish would then be identified, measured, weighed, 
tissue sampled, and implanted with PIT-Tags (if they do not already 
have tags). Fish captured via electrofishing would be handled, 
measured, allowed to recover, and released in a safe area. Some adult 
carcasses would also be sampled. The researchers do not expect to kill 
any of the fish being captured, but a small number may die as an 
unintended result of the research activities.
Permit 18696--2M
    The Idaho Power company is seeking to modify their five-year permit 
to annually capture juvenile white sturgeon in Lower Granite Reservoir. 
The researchers would use small-mesh gill nets and d-ring nets to 
capture the fish. The gill net fishing would take place at times 
(October and November) and in areas (the bottom of the reservoir) that 
have purposefully been chosen to have the least possible impact on 
listed fish. When the nets are pulled to the surface, listed species 
would immediately be released (including by cutting the net, if 
necessary) and allowed to return to the reservoir. The d-ring fishing 
would take place in June and July, but the same restrictions 
(immediately releasing listed fish, etc.) would still apply. The 
research targets a species that is not listed, but the research should 
benefit listed salmonids by generating information about the habitat 
conditions in Lower Granite Reservoir and by helping managers develop 
conservation plans for the species that inhabit it. The researchers are 
not proposing to kill any of the fish they capture, but a small number 
of individuals may be killed as an inadvertent result of the 
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: October 21, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-25922 Filed 10-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices 74769

action will be restricted to those issues FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob are in northeastern Oregon, the
specifically listed in this notice and any Clapp, Portland, OR (ph: 503–231– Clearwater is in Idaho, and the work in
issues arising after publication of this 2314), Fax: 503–230–5441, email: the Snake River would take place in
notice that require emergency action Robert.Clapp@noaa.gov). Permit Washington. The permit would be a
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson- application instructions are available renewal of work the NPT has been
Stevens Act, provided that the public from the address above, or online at conducting for well over a decade in the
has been notified of the Council’s intent https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov. Northwest.
to take final action to address the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the research is to
emergency. acquire information on the status
Species Covered in This Notice (escapement abundance, genetic
Special Accommodations structure, life history traits) of juvenile
The following listed species are
This meeting is physically accessible covered in this notice: and adult steelhead in the Imnaha,
to people with disabilities. Requests for Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus Grande Ronde, and Clearwater River
sign language interpretation or other tshawytscha): Endangered upper basins. The research would benefit the
auxiliary aids should be directed to Columbia River (UCR); threatened listed species by providing information
Thomas A. Nies (see ADDRESSES) at least Snake River (SR) spring/summer (spr/ on current status that fishery managers
5 days prior to the meeting date. sum); threatened SR fall. can use to determine if recovery actions
Dated: October 24, 2016. Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened are helping increase wild Snake River
Tracey L. Thompson, UCR; threatened SR; threatened middle salmonid populations. Baseline
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Columbia River (MCR). information on steelhead populations in
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): the Imnaha, Grande Ronde, and
[FR Doc. 2016–25999 Filed 10–26–16; 8:45 am] Endangered SR. Clearwater River basins would also be
used to help guide future management
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Authority actions. Adult and juvenile salmon and
Scientific research permits are issued steelhead would be observed, harassed,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE in accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A) handled, and marked. The researchers
of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and would use temporary/portable picket
National Oceanic and Atmospheric regulations governing listed fish and and resistance board weirs and rotary
Administration wildlife permits (50 CFR 222–226). screw traps to capture the fish and
NMFS issues permits based on findings would then sample them for biological
[0648–XE982]
that such permits: (1) are applied for in information (fin tissue and scale
Endangered and Threatened Species; good faith; (2) if granted and exercised, samples). They may also mark some of
Take of Anadromous Fish would not operate to the disadvantage the fish with opercule punches, fin
of the listed species that are the subject clips, dyes, and PIT, floy, and/or Tyvek
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries of the permit; and (3) are consistent disk tags. Adult steelhead carcasses
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and with the purposes and policy of section would also be collected and sampled.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2 of the ESA. The authority to take The researchers do not intend to kill any
Commerce. listed species is subject to conditions set of the fish being captured, but a small
ACTION: Applications for five scientific forth in the permits. number may die as an unintended result
research permit renewals and one Anyone requesting a hearing on an of the activities.
permit modification. application listed in this notice should 1341—5R
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that set out the specific reasons why a
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
NMFS has received six scientific hearing on that application would be
(Tribes) are seeking to renew for five
research permit application requests appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such
years their permit to take SR sockeye
relating to Pacific salmon and steelhead. hearings are held at the discretion of the
salmon and SR spr/sum Chinook
The proposed research is intended to Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
salmon while conducting research
increase knowledge of species listed NMFS.
designed to estimate their overwinter
under the Endangered Species Act Applications Received survival and downstream migration
(ESA) and to help guide management survival and timing. The researchers
and conservation efforts. The Permit 1339—4R would also conduct limnological studies
applications may be viewed online at: The Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) under the on the lakes and monitor sockeye
https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/ authorization of the Columbia River rearing. This research—which has been
preview_open_for_comment.cfm. Intertribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is conducted every year since 1996—
DATES: Comments or requests for a seeking to renew for five years its permit would continue to provide information
public hearing on the applications must to annually take adult and juvenile SR on the relative success of the Pettit and
be received at the appropriate address or spr/sum Chinook salmon and SR Alturas Lakes (Idaho) sockeye salmon
fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later steelhead while conducting research in reintroduction programs and thereby
than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on a number of the tributaries to the benefit the listed fish by improving
November 28, 2016. Imnaha River (Cow, Lightning, Horse, those programs. Juvenile SR sockeye
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the Big Sheep, Camp, Little Sheep, salmon, spr/sum Chinook salmon, and
Freezeout, Grouse, Crazyman, steelhead would be collected at Pettit
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

applications should be sent to the
Protected Resources Division, NMFS, Mahogany, and Gumboot Creeks), the and Alturas Lakes, ID, using rotary
1201 NE. Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Grande Ronde River (Joseph Creek, screw traps and weirs. The fish would
Portland, OR 97232–1274. Comments Wenaha and Minam rivers), the be sampled for biological information
may also be sent via fax to 503–230– Clearwater River (South Fork Clearwater and released or tagged with passive
5441 or by email to nmfs.nwr.apps@ River and Lolo Creek), and the Snake integrated transponders and released. In
noaa.gov (include the permit number in River (Lower Granite Dam adult trap). addition, to determine trap efficiencies,
the subject line of the fax or email). The Imnaha and Grande Ronde Rivers a portion of the tagged juvenile SR

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74770 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices

sockeye salmon would be released researchers would use beach seines and they capture, but a small number of
upstream of the traps, captured at the backpack electrofishing equipment to individuals may be killed as an
traps a second time, and re-released. capture the fish. The captured fish inadvertent result of the activities.
The Tribes do not intend to kill any of would be anesthetized, measured, This notice is provided pursuant to
the fish being captured, but a small allowed to recover, and released back to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will
percentage may die as an unintended the river. The researchers do not expect evaluate the applications, associated
result of the research activities. to kill any listed fish, but a small documents, and comments submitted to
number may die as an unintended result determine whether the applications
1465—4R
of the research activities. meet the requirements of section 10(a)
The Idaho Department of of the ESA and Federal regulations. The
Environmental Quality (IDEQ) is Permit 16446—2R
final permit decisions will not be made
seeking to renew for five years their The Confederated Tribes of the until after the end of the 30-day
permit to annually take juvenile Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) are comment period. NMFS will publish
threatened SR steelhead, threatened SR seeking to renew for five years their notice of its final action in the Federal
fall Chinook salmon, threatened SR spr/ permit to take MCR steelhead during the Register.
sum Chinook salmon, and endangered course of research designed to monitor
SR sockeye salmon during the course of listed fish population status in the Dated: October 21, 2016.
two research projects designed to Walla Walla River watershed, Angela Somma,
ascertain the condition of many Idaho Washington. The data gathered (on fish Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
streams. The purposes of the research abundance, trends, genetics, diversity, of Protected Resources, National Marine
are to (a) determine whether aquatic life productivity, and population structure) Fisheries Service.
is being properly supported in Idaho’s would be used to inform management [FR Doc. 2016–25922 Filed 10–26–16; 8:45 am]
rivers, streams, and lakes, and (b) assess decisions regarding land use activities BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
the overall condition of Idaho’s surface and recovery planning in the Walla
waters. The fish would benefit from the Walla sub-basin. The researchers would
research because the data it produces use rotary screw traps and backpack DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
would be used to inform decisions electrofishing units to capture the fish.
about how and where to protect and At the screw traps, the fish would then National Oceanic and Atmospheric
improve water quality in the state. The be identified, measured, weighed, tissue Administration
researchers would use backpack- and sampled, and implanted with PIT-Tags RIN 0648–XE939
boat electrofishing equipment to capture (if they do not already have tags). Fish
the fish. They would then be weighed captured via electrofishing would be Endangered and Threatened Species;
and measured (some may be handled, measured, allowed to recover, Recovery Plans
anesthetized to limit stress) and and released in a safe area. Some adult
released. The IDEQ does not intend to carcasses would also be sampled. The AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
kill any of the fish being captured, but researchers do not expect to kill any of Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
a small percentage may die as an the fish being captured, but a small Atmospheric Administration,
unintended result of the research number may die as an unintended result Commerce.
activities. of the research activities. ACTION: Notice of Availability; request
for comments.
Permit 16521—2R Permit 18696—2M
The WDFW is seeking a to renew for The Idaho Power company is seeking SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce that the
five years their permit to annually to modify their five-year permit to Proposed Endangered Species Act (ESA)
capture, handle, and release juvenile annually capture juvenile white Recovery Plan for Snake River Spring/
UCR steelhead and Chinook salmon in sturgeon in Lower Granite Reservoir. Summer Chinook Salmon and Snake
the Hanford reach of the Columbia River The researchers would use small-mesh River Steelhead (Proposed Plan) is
and near the Tri-Cities, Washington. gill nets and d-ring nets to capture the available for public review and
The purpose of the research is to gather fish. The gill net fishing would take comment. The Proposed Plan addresses
data on fall Chinook abundance, length place at times (October and November) the Snake River Spring/Summer
frequency distribution, and losses in the and in areas (the bottom of the reservoir) Chinook Salmon (Onchorhynchus
area. The information collected from that have purposefully been chosen to tshawytscha) evolutionarily significant
these surveys has been used and have the least possible impact on listed unit (ESU), which is listed as threatened
continues to be used to evaluate fish. When the nets are pulled to the under the ESA, and the Snake River
protections for juvenile fall Chinook surface, listed species would Steelhead (Onchorhynchus mykiss)
under the Hanford Reach Fall Chinook immediately be released (including by distinct population segment (DPS),
Protection Program Agreement and cutting the net, if necessary) and which is listed as threatened under the
gauge the efficacy of the Coded Wire allowed to return to the reservoir. The ESA. The geographic area covered by
Tagging Program for marking of wild d-ring fishing would take place in June the Proposed Plan is the lower
up-river bright fall Chinook in the and July, but the same restrictions mainstem Snake River and its
Hanford Reach. These surveys can (immediately releasing listed fish, etc.) tributaries, as well as the mainstem
provide biologists and managers with would still apply. The research targets Columbia River below its confluence
definitive data on the presence or a species that is not listed, but the with the Snake River. As required under
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

impacts on both non-listed and ESA research should benefit listed salmonids the ESA, the Proposed Plan contains
Listed Chinook and steelhead residing by generating information about the objective, measurable delisting criteria,
in near shore habitats in this area of the habitat conditions in Lower Granite site-specific management actions
Columbia River. These data, in turn, Reservoir and by helping managers necessary to achieve the Proposed
would be used to help guide develop conservation plans for the Plan’s goals, and estimates of the time
management actions for the benefit of species that inhabit it. The researchers and cost required to implement recovery
the listed species in the future. The are not proposing to kill any of the fish actions. We are soliciting review and

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Document Created: 2016-10-27 01:52:21
Document Modified: 2016-10-27 01:52:21

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Applications for five scientific research permit renewals and one permit modification.
Dates		Comments or requests for a public hearing on the applications
Contact		Rob Clapp, Portland, OR (ph: 503-231- 2314), Fax: 503-230-5441, email: [email protected]). Permit
FR Citation		81 FR 74769

81 FR 74769 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 208 (October 27, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration