82 FR 13436 - Threatened Species: Take of Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 47 (March 13, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 47 (March 13, 2017)
| Page Range | 13436-13437 | |
| FR Document | 2017-04870 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 47 (Monday, March 13, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 13436-13437] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-04870] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF261 Threatened Species: Take of Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) AGENCY: NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Issuance of one U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10(a)1(A) scientific enhancement permit (permit 20085). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued Stillwater Sciences one section 10(a)1(A) scientific enhancement permit (permit 20085) for conducting invasive species removal from a south-central California watershed (Chorro Creek). Authorized activities within the permit are expected to affect the threatened South Central California Coast (SCCC) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). ADDRESSES: The permit application, the permit, and other related documents are available for review, by appointment, at the foregoing address: California Coastal Office, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, California 90802 (phone: 562-980-4026, fax: 562-980- 4027, email at: [email protected] [[Page 13437]] noaa.gov. The permit application is also available for review at the Authorizations and Permits for Protected Species Web site: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/search/search.cfm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt McGoogan at 562-980-4026, or email: noaa.gov">[email protected]noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Species Covered in This Notice Threatened SCCC steelhead. Authority Scientific research and enhancement 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 222-227). NMFS issues a section 10(a)1(A) permit based on findings that the permit is (1) applied for in good faith, (2) would not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species which is the subject of the permit, and (3) consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Authority to take listed species is subject to conditions set forth in the permit. Permit Issued A receipt of application notice for Permit 20085 was published in the Federal Register on July 21, 2016 (81 FR 47359), providing 30 days for public comment prior to permit processing. No comments were received. Permit 20085 was issued to Stillwater Sciences on October 31, 2016. Permit 20085 authorizes take of threatened SCCC steelhead in association with enhancement activities involving the removal of Sacramento pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis) from the Chorro Creek watershed in San Luis Obispo County, California. The primary objectives of the enhancement effort involve: (1) Determining the distribution, abundance, size, and age structures of both pikeminnow and steelhead in the watershed; (2) eliminating pikeminnow from the watershed; (3) developing a plan for long-term pikeminnow management in the watershed; and (4) documenting changes in steelhead abundance and distribution in response to pikeminnow removal. Proposed enhancement activities include: (1) Conducting snorkel surveys to assess abundance and distribution of pikeminnow and steelhead; (2) using backpack electrofishing equipment, seines, hook-and-line sampling, and spearfishing to capture pikeminnow; (3) measuring the weight and length of juvenile steelhead collected during sampling activities; (4) returning the collected steelhead alive and unharmed to Chorro Creek; and (5) humanely euthanizing and disposing pikeminnow. Permit 20085 authorized field activities associated with the enhancement effort to begin on October 31, 2016 (the date the permit was issued), and ceases authorization of the subject activities when the permit expires on December 31, 2020. The annual take of threatened SCCC steelhead that permit 20085 authorizes Stillwater Sciences for the subject enhancement effort is as follows: (1) Non-lethal capture and release of up to 1,500 juvenile steelhead while electrofishing, (2) non-lethal capture and release of up to 150 juvenile steelhead while seining, (3) non-lethal capture and release up to 5 juvenile steelhead while hook-and-line fishing, and (4) non-lethal observation of up to 2,000 juvenile and 10 adult steelhead during instream snorkel surveys. The potential annual unintentional lethal take permit 20085 authorizes is up to 33 juvenile steelhead. Overall, no intentional lethal take of steelhead is authorized or expected as a result of these enhancement activities. The subject scientific enhancement activities that permit 20085 authorize are expected to support steelhead recovery in the Chorro Creek watershed and are consistent with recommendations and objectives outlined in NMFS' South Central California Steelhead Recovery Plan. See the application for and issued permit 20085 for greater details on the associated scientific enhancement activities and related methodology authorized with this permit. Dated: March 8, 2017. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-04870 Filed 3-10-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![13436 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 47 / Monday, March 13, 2017 / Notices
ii. Protected species section 8. Membership Changes Priorities
iii. Discussion and synthesis 9. Recommendations B. Cooperative Research Priorities
E. Discussion on Emerging Issues 10. Other Business C. Other
F. Discussion on Data Gaps and 16. Public Comment on MPCC Action
Agenda for the MPCCC Meeting
Research Needs Plan and Research Priorities
5. Public Comment 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday, April 5, 17. Committee Discussion and
2017 Recommendations on MPCC Action
9 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday, March 31, 2017
Plan and Research Prorities
1. Welcome and Approval of Agenda
6. Fisheries and Protected Species 18. 2017–18 Committee Members and
2. Introductions/Regional Updates
Management Updates Officers
3. Update on Pacific Islands Regional
A. Recent Council Actions
Action Plan for the NOAA Climate Special Accommodations
i. Pelagic fisheries actions
Science Strategy These meetings are physically
ii. Insular fisheries actions
4. Update on MAFAC Resilience accessible to people with disabilities.
iii. Discussion
Working Group and Climate and Requests for sign language
B. Council Protected Species
Marine Resources Task Force interpretation or other auxiliary aids
Activities Update
5. Overview of 2015 Annual Reports for should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds,
i. Seabird interactions in the Hawaii
the Fishery Ecosystem Plans of the (808) 522–8220 (voice) or (808) 522–
deep-set longline fishery
Western Pacific Region—Where 8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the
ii. Rare events bycatch workshop
They Are and How to Use Them meeting date.
iii. Other updates
6. Overview of 2016 Annual Report
C. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Components
Updates
A. Contractor Recommendations on Dated: March 8, 2017.
i. Section 7 ESA consultations for
Climate Change Module Tracey L. Thompson,
pelagic and insular fisheries
B. 166th Council Recommendations Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
ii. ESA listing and other related
C. Draft 2016 Climate Change Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
actions
Indicators From Plan Team [FR Doc. 2017–04891 Filed 3–10–17; 8:45 am]
iii. Discussion
i. Pelagic
7. Council’s Research Priorities BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
ii. Archipelagic
A. Five-year Research Priorities
D. Draft 2016 Marine Planning
B. Cooperative Research Priorities
Indicators From Plan Team DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
C. Discussion
i. Pelagic
8. Public Comment
ii. Archipelagic National Oceanic and Atmospheric
9. Committee Discussion and
E. Chapter 3: Data Integration Administration
Recommendations
Workshop
10. Other Business & Next Meeting RIN 0648–XF261
7. Public Comment on Draft 2016
Agenda for the SSPC Meeting Annual Reports Threatened Species: Take of Steelhead
8. Committee Discussion and (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
10 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday, April 3, 2017
Recommendation on Draft 2016
1. Welcome and Introductions Annual Reports AGENCY: NOAA’s National Marine
2. New Emerging Issues by Region Fisheries Service (NMFS), National
A. American Samoa 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday, April 6, Oceanic and Atmospheric
B. CNMI 2017 Administration (NOAA), U.S.
C. Guam 9. Review of Existing Climate Change Department of Commerce.
D. Hawaii Outreach and Resources by Island ACTION: Issuance of one U.S. Endangered
3. Review of the Stock Assessment and Area Species Act (ESA) Section 10(a)1(A)
Fisheries Evaluation (SAFE) Report A. American Samoa scientific enhancement permit (permit
Draft Human Dimensions Sections B. Hawaii 20085).
4. Status of Ongoing Research Projects C. Guam
and Grant Solicitations D. CNMI SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
A. Bottomfishing History Project 10. Island Area Breakouts to Identify NMFS has issued Stillwater Sciences
B. Update on Saltonstall-Kennedy and Develop Climate Change one section 10(a)1(A) scientific
(SK) Proposals Outreach Resources Focused on enhancement permit (permit 20085) for
C. Update on NOAA Preserve Fisheries and Fishing Communities conducting invasive species removal
America Grant Proposals 11. Presentation and Discussion of from a south-central California
5. Report on Program Initiatives Breakout Results watershed (Chorro Creek). Authorized
A. Hawaii Fish Flow Workshop A. American Samoa activities within the permit are expected
B. Review and Comment: National B. Hawaii to affect the threatened South Central
Academy of Science Review of the C. Guam California Coast (SCCC) Distinct
Marine Recreational Information D. CNMI Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead
Program 12. Public Comment on MPCC Outreach (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
C. Review and Comment: Feasibility 13. Committee Discussion and ADDRESSES: The permit application, the
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
of a Non-Commercial Marine Recommendations on MPCC permit, and other related documents are
Fishing Registry, Permit, or License Outreach available for review, by appointment, at
System in Hawaii 14. Old Business the foregoing address: California Coastal
6. Review and Update of SSPC Strategic A. MPCC Action Plan Update Office, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite
Plan B. Other 4200, Long Beach, California 90802
7. Review and Update of SSPC Research 15. New Business (phone: 562–980–4026, fax: 562–980–
Priorities A. WPRFMC Five-Year Research 4027, email at: Matthew.McGoogan@
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 47 / Monday, March 13, 2017 / Notices 13437
noaa.gov. The permit application is also and unharmed to Chorro Creek; and (5) Environmental Quality (40 Code of
available for review at the humanely euthanizing and disposing Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 1500–
Authorizations and Permits for pikeminnow. 1508), the Department of the Navy
Protected Species Web site: https:// Permit 20085 authorized field (DoN) announces its intent to prepare a
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/search/search.cfm. activities associated with the Supplemental Environmental Impact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt enhancement effort to begin on October Statement (EIS) to the July 2016 Final
McGoogan at 562–980–4026, or email: 31, 2016 (the date the permit was EIS for Land-Water Interface (LWI) and
Matthew.McGoogan@noaa.gov. issued), and ceases authorization of the Service Pier Extension (SPE), Naval
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: subject activities when the permit Base (NAVBASE) Kitsap Bangor,
expires on December 31, 2020. The Washington. The Final EIS for LWI and
Species Covered in This Notice annual take of threatened SCCC SPE resulted in a Record of Decision
Threatened SCCC steelhead. steelhead that permit 20085 authorizes (ROD) that was signed on September 8,
Stillwater Sciences for the subject 2016 for the LWI project only.
Authority
enhancement effort is as follows: (1) The SPE proposed action is to extend
Scientific research and enhancement Non-lethal capture and release of up to the existing Service Pier and construct
permits are issued in accordance with 1,500 juvenile steelhead while associated support facilities. The
section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. electrofishing, (2) non-lethal capture purpose is to provide additional
1531 et. seq.) and regulations governing and release of up to 150 juvenile berthing capacity and improve
listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR steelhead while seining, (3) non-lethal associated support facilities for existing
222–227). NMFS issues a section capture and release up to 5 juvenile homeported and visiting submarines at
10(a)1(A) permit based on findings that steelhead while hook-and-line fishing, NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor. The SPE
the permit is (1) applied for in good and (4) non-lethal observation of up to project is needed to provide alternative
faith, (2) would not operate to the 2,000 juvenile and 10 adult steelhead opportunities for berthing to mitigate
disadvantage of the listed species which during instream snorkel surveys. The restrictions at NAVBASE Kitsap
is the subject of the permit, and (3) potential annual unintentional lethal Bremerton, Washington, on navigating
consistent with the purposes and take permit 20085 authorizes is up to 33 SEAWOLF Class submarines through
policies set forth in section 2 of the juvenile steelhead. Overall, no Rich Passage under certain tidal
ESA. Authority to take listed species is intentional lethal take of steelhead is
subject to conditions set forth in the conditions and to improve long-term
authorized or expected as a result of operational effectiveness for the three
permit. these enhancement activities. SEAWOLF Class submarines on
Permit Issued The subject scientific enhancement NAVBASE Kitsap.
activities that permit 20085 authorize
A receipt of application notice for are expected to support steelhead The Supplemental EIS will address
Permit 20085 was published in the recovery in the Chorro Creek watershed the SPE project only and will evaluate
Federal Register on July 21, 2016 (81 FR and are consistent with resources based upon changes in design
47359), providing 30 days for public recommendations and objectives and new information relevant to
comment prior to permit processing. No outlined in NMFS’ South Central environmental concerns per 40 CFR
comments were received. Permit 20085 1502.9. The DoN will evaluate this new,
California Steelhead Recovery Plan. See
was issued to Stillwater Sciences on relevant information and incorporate
the application for and issued permit
October 31, 2016. that information into revised analyses
Permit 20085 authorizes take of 20085 for greater details on the
associated scientific enhancement where appropriate. The analysis will
threatened SCCC steelhead in address, among others, changes to the
association with enhancement activities activities and related methodology
authorized with this permit. Alternative 2 design and new regulatory
involving the removal of Sacramento guidance and requirements.
pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis) Dated: March 8, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
from the Chorro Creek watershed in San Angela Somma,
Luis Obispo County, California. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
primary objectives of the enhancement of Protected Resources, National Marine Northwest, 1101 Tautog Circle,
effort involve: (1) Determining the Fisheries Service. Silverdale, Washington 98315–1101,
distribution, abundance, size, and age [FR Doc. 2017–04870 Filed 3–10–17; 8:45 am]
Attn: Ms. Kimberly Kler, LWI/SPE
structures of both pikeminnow and Supplemental EIS Project Manager,
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
steelhead in the watershed; (2) 360–396–0927, or project Web site:
eliminating pikeminnow from the http://www.nbkies/lwi.com.
watershed; (3) developing a plan for DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DoN
long-term pikeminnow management in announced its intent to prepare an EIS
the watershed; and (4) documenting Department of the Navy for the LWI and SPE in the Federal
changes in steelhead abundance and Register on February 1, 2013 (78 FR
distribution in response to pikeminnow Notice of Intent To Prepare a 7416), and invited the public to
removal. Proposed enhancement Supplemental Environmental Impact comment on the scope of the EIS. A
activities include: (1) Conducting Statement for Land-Water Interface Draft EIS was released on February 13,
snorkel surveys to assess abundance and and Service Pier Extension at Naval 2015 (80 FR 8081), in which the
distribution of pikeminnow and Base Kitsap Bangor, Washington potential environmental effects
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
steelhead; (2) using backpack AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD. associated with construction and
electrofishing equipment, seines, hook- ACTION: Notice. operation of the LWI and SPE were
and-line sampling, and spearfishing to evaluated. A Final EIS was released on
capture pikeminnow; (3) measuring the SUMMARY: Pursuant to section (102)(2)(c) July 15, 2016 (81 FR 46077), addressing
weight and length of juvenile steelhead of the National Environmental Policy comments received on the Draft EIS.
collected during sampling activities; (4) Act (NEPA) of 1969, and the regulations The Navy issued a ROD on only the LWI
returning the collected steelhead alive implemented by the Council on portion of the proposed action on
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Document Created: 2018-02-01 14:58:01
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 14:58:01
| 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 | Issuance of one U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10(a)1(A) scientific enhancement permit (permit 20085). | |
| Contact | Matt McGoogan at 562-980-4026, or email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 13436 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF26 |
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