83 FR 31371 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 129 (July 5, 2018)

Page Range		31371-31372
FR Document		2018-14341

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received four 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 129 (Thursday, July 5, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 129 (Thursday, July 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31371-31372]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14341]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG301


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

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

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received four 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 August 6, 
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 Puget Sound 
(PS).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened PS.
    Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Hood Canal Summer-run (HCS).

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 21330-2M

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking to modify a 
five-year research permit that allows them to annually take juvenile PS 
Chinook salmon and PS steelhead in Jim Creek (South Fork Stillaguamish 
River watershed--Snohomish County, Washington). The purpose of the FWS 
study is to document ESA-listed fish presence, distribution, and 
abundance in Jim Creek within the boundaries of the Naval Radio Station 
Jim Creek facility. The research would benefit the listed species by 
helping refine the facility's Integrated Natural Resources Management 
plan--the information would help guide decisions regarding habitat 
restoration and fill data gaps regarding the distribution and abundance 
of ESA-listed PS Chinook, PS steelhead, and bull trout (Salvelinus 
confluentus). The FWS proposes to capture fish using backpack 
electrofishing equipment. The captured fish would be removed from the 
water using a dip net, placed in aerated buckets, anesthetized with MS-
222, identified to species, weighed, measured, and returned to their 
capture locations when recovered. In recent years, the researchers have 
seen more PS steelhead than expected, so they are seeking to modify the 
permit by increasing the number of PS steelhead they are allowed to 
take. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some 
may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

Permit 21870

    The Oregon State University (OSU) is seeking a five-year research 
permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon, HCS chum salmon, 
and PS steelhead in the South Fork of the Skokomish River (Mason 
County, Washington state). The purpose of the OSU study is to research 
the trophic pathways that support salmonids in the Skokomish River and 
to determine how invasive plants mediate terrestrial subsidies to 
streams throughout the year. The researchers would target PS steelhead, 
PS/Strait of Georgia coho salmon (O. kisutch), and sculpin species. 
This research would benefit the affected species by filling the 
knowledge gaps that have limited effective restoration of local food 
webs. The OSU proposes to use seine nets and minnow traps to capture 
the fish. Captured fish would be identified to species and temporarily 
held in aerated buckets. Juvenile PS steelhead (and all other target 
species) would be anesthetized with MS-222, measured for length, tissue 
sampled (scales and caudal fin clip), gastric lavaged, and released. 
All other fish (including PS Chinook and HCS chum salmon) would be 
released after all the fish have been identified. The researchers do 
not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent 
result of the research.

Permit 22093

    The Snoqualmie Valley Watershed Improvement District (SVWID) is 
seeking a five-year research permit to annually take juvenile and adult 
PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead throughout the Snoqualmie River 
watershed (Snohomish County, Washington state). The purpose of the

[[Page 31372]]

SVWID study is to assess fish passage barriers, habitat conditions, 
water quality, and fish presence/absence. This research would benefit 
the affected species by better informing plans to improve drainage, 
minimize flooding, and restore salmon habitat. Further, this research 
would benefit listed species by providing data about the status of 
these species in agricultural drainage ditches and small streams that 
may not otherwise be studied. The SVWID proposes to capture fish using 
seine nets, minnow traps, and backpack electrofishing equipment. 
Captured fish would be held in aerated buckets, identified to species, 
measured to length, and released. The researchers do not intend to kill 
any listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the 
research.

Permit 22127

    The FWS is seeking a five-year research permit to annually take 
juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead throughout the 
Puyallup River watershed (Pierce and King Counties, Washington state). 
The purpose of the FWS study is to research ESA-listed bull trout life 
history diversity and gather information about their temporal and 
spatial use of the watershed at multiple life stages. Other target 
species include brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), cutthroat trout 
(O. clarkii), and non-migratory sculpin species (Shorthead, Torrent, 
and Riffle). PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead would be incidentally 
during this study because their ranges overlap the target species. This 
research would benefit the listed species by providing fine scale 
information about their movement timing and upstream residency. Those 
data, in turn, would be used to inform management and recovery actions. 
The FWS proposes to capture fish using electro-fykes, backpack 
electrofishing equipment, gill nets, hook-and-line, and minnow traps. 
Bull trout would be anesthetized, PIT tagged, weighed, measured for 
length, tissue sampled (fin rays), and released. Other target species 
would be euthanized for otolith and fin ray analysis. All PS steelhead 
and PS Chinook salmon would be captured, handled, and immediately 
released. The researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed 
fish, but some 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: June 28, 2018.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14341 Filed 7-3-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

31372 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 129 / Thursday, July 5, 2018 / Notices

SVWID study is to assess fish passage until after the end of the 30-day activity (other than commercial fishing)
barriers, habitat conditions, water comment period. NMFS will publish within a specified geographical region if
quality, and fish presence/absence. This notice of its final action in the Federal certain findings are made and either
research would benefit the affected Register. regulations are issued or, if the taking is
species by better informing plans to Dated: June 28, 2018. limited to harassment, a notice of a
improve drainage, minimize flooding, Angela Somma,
proposed authorization is provided to
and restore salmon habitat. Further, this the public for review.
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
research would benefit listed species by An authorization for incidental
of Protected Resources, National Marine
providing data about the status of these Fisheries Service. takings shall be granted if NMFS finds
species in agricultural drainage ditches that the taking will have a negligible
[FR Doc. 2018–14341 Filed 7–3–18; 8:45 am]
and small streams that may not impact on the species or stock(s), will
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
otherwise be studied. The SVWID not have an unmitigable adverse impact
proposes to capture fish using seine on the availability of the species or
nets, minnow traps, and backpack DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
electrofishing equipment. Captured fish relevant), and if the permissible
would be held in aerated buckets, National Oceanic and Atmospheric methods of taking and requirements
identified to species, measured to Administration pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring
length, and released. The researchers do and reporting of such takings are set
not intend to kill any listed fish, but RIN 0648–XG066 forth.
some may die as an inadvertent result NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
of the research. Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact
Specified Activities; Taking Marine resulting from the specified activity that
Permit 22127 cannot be reasonably expected to, and is
Mammals Incidental to Seabird
The FWS is seeking a five-year Research Activities in Central not reasonably likely to, adversely affect
research permit to annually take California the species or stock through effects on
juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon annual rates of recruitment or survival.
and PS steelhead throughout the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’
Puyallup River watershed (Pierce and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or
King Counties, Washington state). The Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill
purpose of the FWS study is to research Commerce. any marine mammal.
ESA-listed bull trout life history ACTION: Notice; Issuance of an Incidental Except with respect to certain
diversity and gather information about Harassment Authorization. activities not pertinent here, the MMPA
their temporal and spatial use of the defines ‘‘harassment’’ as any act of
SUMMARY: In accordance with the pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i)
watershed at multiple life stages. Other
regulations implementing the Marine has the potential to injure a marine
target species include brook trout
(Salvelinus fontinalis), cutthroat trout Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as mammal or marine mammal stock in the
(O. clarkii), and non-migratory sculpin amended, notification is hereby given wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has
species (Shorthead, Torrent, and Riffle). that NMFS has issued an incidental the potential to disturb a marine
PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead harassment authorization (IHA) to Point mammal or marine mammal stock in the
would be incidentally during this study Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue) wild by causing disruption of behavioral
because their ranges overlap the target to incidentally harass, by Level B patterns, including, but not limited to,
species. This research would benefit the harassment only, marine mammals migration, breathing, nursing, breeding,
listed species by providing fine scale during seabird research activities in feeding, or sheltering (Level B
information about their movement central California. harassment).
timing and upstream residency. Those DATES: This Authorization is effective
data, in turn, would be used to inform from July 7, 2018 through July 6, 2019. Summary of Request
management and recovery actions. The FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob On January 4, 2018, NMFS received a
FWS proposes to capture fish using Pauline, Office of Protected Resources, request from Point Blue for an IHA to
electro-fykes, backpack electrofishing NMFS, (301) 427–8401. Electronic take marine mammals incidental to
equipment, gill nets, hook-and-line, and copies of the application and supporting seabird research monitoring conducted
minnow traps. Bull trout would be documents, as well as a list of the at three locations in central California.
anesthetized, PIT tagged, weighed, references cited in this document, may Point Blue’s request is for take of
measured for length, tissue sampled (fin be obtained online at: https:// California sea lions (Zalophus
rays), and released. Other target species www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ californianus), harbor seals (Phoca
would be euthanized for otolith and fin marine-mammal-protection/incidental- vitulina), northern elephant seals
ray analysis. All PS steelhead and PS take-authorizations-research-and-other- (Mirounga angustirostris), and Steller
Chinook salmon would be captured, activities. In case of problems accessing sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) by Level
handled, and immediately released. The these documents, please call the contact B harassment only. Neither Point Blue
researchers do not propose to kill any of listed above. nor NMFS expect serious injury or
the listed fish, but some may die as an SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mortality to result from this activity
unintended result of the activities. and, therefore, an IHA is appropriate.
This notice is provided pursuant to Background NMFS previously issued eight IHAs to
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the Point Blue for similar work from 2006
evaluate the applications, associated MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct through 2017 (72 FR 71121; December
documents, and comments submitted to the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated 14, 2007, 73 FR 77011; December 18,
determine whether the applications to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the 2008, 75 FR 8677; February 19, 2010, 77
meet the requirements of section 10(a) incidental, but not intentional, taking of FR 73989; December 7, 2012, 78 FR
of the ESA and Federal regulations. The small numbers of marine mammals by 66686; November 6, 2013, 80 FR 80321;
final permit decisions will not be made U.S. citizens who engage in a specified December 24, 2015, 81 FR 34978; June

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Document Created: 2018-07-03 23:40:22
Document Modified: 2018-07-03 23:40:22

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 one scientific research permit modification and three new permits.
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 31371
RIN Number		0648-XG30

83 FR 31371 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 129 (July 5, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration