83 FR 23257 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 97 (May 18, 2018)

Page Range		23257-23258
FR Document		2018-10655

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received three 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 83 Issue 97 (Friday, May 18, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 97 (Friday, May 18, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23257-23258]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10655]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG243


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Notice. Applications for two new scientific research permits 
and one scientific research permit modification.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received three 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 June 18, 2018.

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): Threatened Upper 
Willamette River (UWR).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened Oregon Coast (OC).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened Lower Columbia River (LCR); 
threatened UWR.

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 1135-10M

    The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking to modify a 
permit that currently authorizes them to take juvenile LCR steelhead in 
the Wind River subbasin (Washington). The permit would expire on 
December 31, 2021. The purpose of the study is to provide information 
on growth, survival, habitat use, and life histories of LCR steelhead. 
This information would improve understanding of habitat associations 
and life history strategies for LCR steelhead in the Wind River and 
that, in turn, would help state, tribal, and Federal efforts to restore 
LCR steelhead. This information would benefit LCR steelhead by 
improving our understanding of habitat associations and life history 
strategies in the Wind River. This new information would, in turn, help 
state, tribal, and Federal efforts to restore LCR steelhead.
    The USGS proposes to capture juvenile LCR steelhead using backpack 
electrofishing equipment, hold the fish in aerated buckets, anesthetize 
them with MS-222, measure length and weight, tag age-0 and age-1 fish 
with passive integrated transponders (PIT-tags), and release all fish 
at the site of collection after they recover from anesthesia. The 
permit modification would not change the methods or scope of the 
ongoing research except to increase the take of juvenile LCR steelhead 
that are captured, handled, and then released without PIT-tagging from 
2,500 to 4,500 fish annually. The USGS also requests to increase the 
unintentional mortalities authorized for fish that are released without 
PIT-tagging, from 75 to 135 fish annually. The USGS requests this 
increase in take because they captured unusually high

[[Page 23258]]

numbers of age-0 LCR steelhead in 2017. The researchers do not propose 
to kill any fish but a small number may die as an unintended result of 
research activities.

Permit 21837

    Researchers at the Oregon State University are requesting a permit 
that would allow them to take juvenile and adult UWR Chinook salmon and 
UWR steelhead. The research permit would expire on December 31, 2022. 
The researchers propose to work in the upper Willamette River (Oregon) 
and its tributaries including the Middle Fork Willamette, Coast Fork 
Willamette, Calapooia, Long Tom, Marys, and Luckiamute Rivers. The 
purpose of their research is to describe how water temperature and the 
presence of coldwater refugia influence the behavior, growth, diet, 
body condition, seasonal movements, and habitat associations of coastal 
cutthroat trout. The research would provide information to help 
fisheries managers prioritize conservation and management efforts in 
the context of climate change. The research would benefit UWR Chinook 
salmon and UWR steelhead by providing information on how a salmonids 
with similar ecological requirements--coastal cutthroat trout--adapt to 
increasing water temperatures. This new information would help 
fisheries managers prioritize conservation and management efforts in 
the context of climate change.
    The researchers propose to capture fish using boat and backpack 
electrofishing, stick and beach seining, and angling. The researchers 
would identify fish immediately after capture and hold them in cool, 
aerated buckets. The researchers propose to hold ESA-listed fish only 
long enough to avoid recapturing them. They would release the fish to 
the site of capture, with no further handling or measurements, as soon 
as they complete sampling at a site. The researchers propose the 
following measures to minimize take of adult UWR Chinook and UWR 
steelhead for each sampling date: (1) Request current information from 
the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on adult run timing and 
distribution, (2) conduct visual reconnaissance surveys before sampling 
each site, and (3) avoid sampling in areas where adult salmonids are 
likely to hold, such as pools, glides, and tributary junctions. If 
researchers observe adult salmon or steelhead, the researchers would 
immediately stop sampling and leave the site. The researchers would not 
seine a single site more than five times or electrofish a single site 
more than three times across the summer sampling season. The 
researchers do not propose to kill any fish but a small number of 
juveniles may die as an unintended result of research activities.

Permit 22069

    The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is requesting a 
permit that would allow them to take OC coho in the Tillamook Bay 
(Oregon). The research permit would expire on December 31, 2022. ODFW 
proposes to conduct a radio telemetry study of OC fall-run Chinook 
salmon, which are not ESA-listed. Researchers may unintentionally take 
OC coho salmon while collecting Chinook salmon. The goal of the 
research study is to improve information on the distribution and 
abundance of Chinook spawners in the Tillamook basin. The OC Chinook 
salmon ESU is subject to management under the Pacific Salmon Treaty, 
which calls for use of abundance-based management. Information on the 
distribution of spawning OC Chinook in the Tillamook basin is essential 
for developing an efficient and cost effective program to monitor 
Chinook spawner abundance. In addition, this research would benefit 
ESA-listed salmonids by demonstrating and improving methods for 
capturing and tagging fish in a large bay setting, and tracking spawner 
movement into multiple geographic strata.
    The ODFW proposes to capture fish from August through December in 
the lower portion of Tillamook Bay, below the mouths of the five 
primary Chinook spawning streams that flow into the bay. ODFW proposes 
to capture juvenile and adult OC coho using angling, seines, and tangle 
nets. The nets would have a nylon mesh size of 4.5 inches and range 
from 75 to 150 feet in length and 8 to 20 feet in depth, dependent upon 
water levels and sampling conditions. To minimize stress and injury of 
fish captured using tangle nets, the researchers propose to: (1) 
Observe nets constantly during deployment, (2) remove fish immediately 
upon detection of capture (i.e., typically less than two minutes after 
entanglement), and (3) relocate tangle nets if a coho is captured or if 
any fish is recaptured on the same day. ODFW proposes to identify fish 
upon capture, and immediately release any coho salmon without further 
handling. The researchers do not propose to kill any fish but a small 
number may die as an unintended 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: May 15, 2018.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-10655 Filed 5-17-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 97 / Friday, May 18, 2018 / Notices 23257

their own separate rate, the cash deposit DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and
rate will be the rate applicable to the regulations governing listed fish and
Chinese exporter that supplied that non- National Oceanic and Atmospheric wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222–226).
Chinese exporter. These cash deposit Administration NMFS issues permits based on findings
requirements, when imposed, shall RIN 0648–XG243 that such permits: (1) Are applied for in
remain in effect until further notice. good faith; (2) if granted and exercised,
Endangered and Threatened Species; would not operate to the disadvantage
Notification to Importers Take of Anadromous Fish of the listed species that are the subject
of the permit; and (3) are consistent
This notice also serves as a AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries with the purposes and policy of section
preliminary reminder to importers of Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 2 of the ESA. The authority to take
their responsibility under 19 CFR Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), listed species is subject to conditions set
351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate Commerce. forth in the permits.
regarding the reimbursement of ACTION: Notice. Applications for two Anyone requesting a hearing on an
antidumping duties prior to liquidation new scientific research permits and one application listed in this notice should
of the relevant entries during this POR. scientific research permit modification. set out the specific reasons why a
Failure to comply with this requirement hearing on that application would be
could result in Commerce’s SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such
presumption that reimbursement of NMFS has received three scientific hearings are held at the discretion of the
antidumping duties occurred and the research permit application requests Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
subsequent assessment of double relating to Pacific salmon and steelhead. NMFS.
antidumping duties. The proposed research is intended to
increase knowledge of species listed Applications Received
Notification to Interested Parties under the Endangered Species Act Permit 1135–10M
(ESA) and to help guide management
This administrative review and notice and conservation efforts. The The United States Geological Survey
are issued and published in accordance applications may be viewed online at: (USGS) is seeking to modify a permit
with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/ that currently authorizes them to take
the Act and 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4). preview_open_for_comment.cfm. juvenile LCR steelhead in the Wind
River subbasin (Washington). The
Dated: May 3, 2018. DATES: Comments or requests for a
permit would expire on December 31,
Gary Taverman, public hearing on the applications must 2021. The purpose of the study is to
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping be received at the appropriate address or provide information on growth,
and Countervailing Duty Operations, fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later survival, habitat use, and life histories
performing the non-exclusive functions and than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on of LCR steelhead. This information
duties of the Assistant Secretary for June 18, 2018. would improve understanding of habitat
Enforcement and Compliance. ADDRESSES: Written comments on the associations and life history strategies
applications should be sent to the for LCR steelhead in the Wind River and
Appendix
Protected Resources Division, NMFS, that, in turn, would help state, tribal,
List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, and Federal efforts to restore LCR
Decision Memorandum Portland, OR 97232–1274. Comments steelhead. This information would
1. Summary may also be sent via fax to 503–230– benefit LCR steelhead by improving our
2. Background 5441 or by email to nmfs.nwr.apps@ understanding of habitat associations
3. Scope of the Order noaa.gov (include the permit number in and life history strategies in the Wind
4. Discussion of the Methodology the subject line of the fax or email). River. This new information would, in
a. Preliminary Finding of No Shipments FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob turn, help state, tribal, and Federal
b. Non-Market Economy Country Clapp, Portland, OR (ph.: 503–231– efforts to restore LCR steelhead.
c. Separate Rates 2314), Fax: 503–230–5441, email: The USGS proposes to capture
d. Weighted-Average Dumping Margin for Robert.Clapp@noaa.gov). Permit juvenile LCR steelhead using backpack
Non-Examined Separate-Rate Companies application instructions are available electrofishing equipment, hold the fish
e. Surrogate Country and Surrogate Value from the address above, or online at in aerated buckets, anesthetize them
Data https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov. with MS–222, measure length and
f. Partial Facts Available and Partial weight, tag age-0 and age-1 fish with
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Adverse Facts Available for Normal passive integrated transponders (PIT-
Value Date of Sale Species Covered in This Notice tags), and release all fish at the site of
g. Comparisons to Normal Value collection after they recover from
The following listed species are
h. U.S. Price anesthesia. The permit modification
covered in this notice:
i. Normal Value would not change the methods or scope
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus
j. Currency Conversion of the ongoing research except to
tshawytscha): Threatened Upper
5. Recommendation increase the take of juvenile LCR
Willamette River (UWR).
[FR Doc. 2018–10649 Filed 5–17–18; 8:45 am] Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened steelhead that are captured, handled,
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P Oregon Coast (OC). and then released without PIT-tagging
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened from 2,500 to 4,500 fish annually. The
Lower Columbia River (LCR); threatened USGS also requests to increase the
UWR. unintentional mortalities authorized for
fish that are released without PIT-
Authority tagging, from 75 to 135 fish annually.
Scientific research permits are issued The USGS requests this increase in take
in accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A) because they captured unusually high

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23258 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 97 / Friday, May 18, 2018 / Notices

numbers of age-0 LCR steelhead in 2017. three times across the summer sampling determine whether the applications
The researchers do not propose to kill season. The researchers do not propose meet the requirements of section 10(a)
any fish but a small number may die as to kill any fish but a small number of of the ESA and Federal regulations. The
an unintended result of research juveniles may die as an unintended final permit decisions will not be made
activities. result of research activities. until after the end of the 30-day
Permit 21837 Permit 22069 comment period. NMFS will publish
notice of its final action in the Federal
Researchers at the Oregon State The Oregon Department of Fish and Register.
University are requesting a permit that Wildlife (ODFW) is requesting a permit
Dated: May 15, 2018.
would allow them to take juvenile and that would allow them to take OC coho
adult UWR Chinook salmon and UWR in the Tillamook Bay (Oregon). The Angela Somma,
steelhead. The research permit would research permit would expire on Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
expire on December 31, 2022. The December 31, 2022. ODFW proposes to of Protected Resources, National Marine
researchers propose to work in the conduct a radio telemetry study of OC Fisheries Service.
upper Willamette River (Oregon) and its fall-run Chinook salmon, which are not [FR Doc. 2018–10655 Filed 5–17–18; 8:45 am]
tributaries including the Middle Fork ESA-listed. Researchers may BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Willamette, Coast Fork Willamette, unintentionally take OC coho salmon
Calapooia, Long Tom, Marys, and while collecting Chinook salmon. The
Luckiamute Rivers. The purpose of their goal of the research study is to improve COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
research is to describe how water information on the distribution and PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
temperature and the presence of abundance of Chinook spawners in the SEVERELY DISABLED
coldwater refugia influence the Tillamook basin. The OC Chinook
behavior, growth, diet, body condition, salmon ESU is subject to management Procurement List; Proposed additions
seasonal movements, and habitat under the Pacific Salmon Treaty, which and deletions
associations of coastal cutthroat trout. calls for use of abundance-based AGENCY: Committee for Purchase From
The research would provide information management. Information on the People Who Are Blind or Severely
to help fisheries managers prioritize distribution of spawning OC Chinook in Disabled.
conservation and management efforts in the Tillamook basin is essential for
ACTION: Proposed Additions to and
the context of climate change. The developing an efficient and cost
Deletions from the Procurement List.
research would benefit UWR Chinook effective program to monitor Chinook
salmon and UWR steelhead by spawner abundance. In addition, this SUMMARY: The Committee is proposing
providing information on how a research would benefit ESA-listed to add products and services to the
salmonids with similar ecological salmonids by demonstrating and Procurement List that will be furnished
requirements—coastal cutthroat trout— improving methods for capturing and by nonprofit agencies employing
adapt to increasing water temperatures. tagging fish in a large bay setting, and persons who are blind or have other
This new information would help tracking spawner movement into severe disabilities, and deletes products
fisheries managers prioritize multiple geographic strata. and services previously furnished by
conservation and management efforts in The ODFW proposes to capture fish such agencies.
the context of climate change. from August through December in the
DATES: Comments must be received on
The researchers propose to capture lower portion of Tillamook Bay, below
or before: June 17, 2018.
fish using boat and backpack the mouths of the five primary Chinook
ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase
electrofishing, stick and beach seining, spawning streams that flow into the bay.
and angling. The researchers would ODFW proposes to capture juvenile and From People Who Are Blind or Severely
identify fish immediately after capture adult OC coho using angling, seines, Disabled, 1401 S Clark Street, Suite 715,
and hold them in cool, aerated buckets. and tangle nets. The nets would have a Arlington, Virginia 22202–4149.
The researchers propose to hold ESA- nylon mesh size of 4.5 inches and range FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
listed fish only long enough to avoid from 75 to 150 feet in length and 8 to further information or to submit
recapturing them. They would release 20 feet in depth, dependent upon water comments contact: Amy B. Jensen,
the fish to the site of capture, with no levels and sampling conditions. To Telephone: (703) 603–7740, Fax: (703)
further handling or measurements, as minimize stress and injury of fish 603–0655, or email CMTEFedReg@
soon as they complete sampling at a captured using tangle nets, the AbilityOne.gov.
site. The researchers propose the researchers propose to: (1) Observe nets SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
following measures to minimize take of constantly during deployment, (2) notice is published pursuant to 41
adult UWR Chinook and UWR steelhead remove fish immediately upon detection U.S.C. 8503(a)(2) and 41 CFR 51–2.3. Its
for each sampling date: (1) Request of capture (i.e., typically less than two purpose is to provide interested persons
current information from the Oregon minutes after entanglement), and (3) an opportunity to submit comments on
Department of Fish and Wildlife on relocate tangle nets if a coho is captured the proposed actions.
adult run timing and distribution, (2) or if any fish is recaptured on the same
conduct visual reconnaissance surveys day. ODFW proposes to identify fish Additions
before sampling each site, and (3) avoid upon capture, and immediately release If the Committee approves the
sampling in areas where adult any coho salmon without further proposed additions, the entities of the
salmonids are likely to hold, such as handling. The researchers do not Federal Government identified in this
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

pools, glides, and tributary junctions. If propose to kill any fish but a small notice will be required to procure the
researchers observe adult salmon or number may die as an unintended result products and services listed below from
steelhead, the researchers would of the activities. nonprofit agencies employing persons
immediately stop sampling and leave This notice is provided pursuant to who are blind or have other severe
the site. The researchers would not section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will disabilities.
seine a single site more than five times evaluate the applications, associated The following products and services
or electrofish a single site more than documents, and comments submitted to are proposed for addition to the

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Document Created: 2018-05-18 02:16:11
Document Modified: 2018-05-18 02:16:11

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		Notice. Applications for two new scientific research permits and one scientific research 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		83 FR 23257
RIN Number		0648-XG24

83 FR 23257 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 97 (May 18, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration