Endangered Species; Permits

Authority

Permits are requested under the authority of section 10 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) and the NMFS regulations governing ESA-listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 217-227). Those individuals requesting a hearing on these requests for permits should set out the specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA. All statements and opinions contained in the below application summaries are those of the applicant and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMFS. Issuance of these permits, modifications, and amendments, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permits, modifications, and amendments: (1) Were applied for in good faith; (2) would not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species which are the subject of the permits; and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. These permits, modifications, and amendments were also issued in accordance with and are subject to parts 217-222 of Title 50 CFR, the NMFS regulations governing listed species permits.

Species Covered in This Notice

The following species are covered in this notice: chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). To date, protective regulations for threatened Snake River steelhead and threatened lower Columbia River steelhead under section 4(d) of the ESA have not been promulgated by NMFS. This notice of receipt of applications requesting takes of these species is issued as a precaution in the event that NMFS issues protective regulations that prohibit takes of Snake River steelhead and lower Columbia River steelhead. The initiation of a 30-day public comment period on the applications, including their proposed takes of Snake River steelhead and lower Columbia River (LCR) steelhead, does not presuppose the contents of the eventual protective regulations.

New Applications Received

NWFSC (1142) requests a one-year permit that would authorize takes of juvenile, endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon; adult and juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, upper Columbia River (UCR) steelhead; and adult and juvenile, threatened, Snake River steelhead associated with a study designed to evaluate the effects of the new juvenile bypass/sampling facility at John Day Dam (located on the lower Columbia River) on migrating salmonids. The information will be used to identify and correct any problem areas associated with the bypass system with the ultimate goal of increasing juvenile salmonid survival at the dam. ESA-listed juvenile fish are proposed to be captured, handled, and released while obtaining non-listed fish for the study. A lethal take of ESA-listed juvenile fish is requested to determine how the facility affects fish physiology. In addition, ESA-listed adult steelhead fallbacks are proposed to be captured, marked with a visible external identifier, released above the dam, recaptured at or below the dam, examined, and released to evaluate the facility for adult salmonid passage. ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities associated with the scientific research activities are also requested. ODFW (1152) requests a five-year permit that would authorize takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon and adult and juvenile, threatened, Snake River steelhead associated with scientific research conducted in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha River Basins in the state of OR. ODFW proposes to conduct ten research tasks: (1) Spring chinook salmon spawning ground surveys, (2) spring chinook salmon early life history, (3) habitat and fish inventory surveys, (4) passage and irrigation screening, (5) steelhead kelt rejuvenation, (6) steelhead straying study, (7) anadromous versus resident life history strategy in steelhead, (8) monitoring of residual hatchery steelhead, (9) steelhead spawning ground surveys, and (10) Lookingglass Creek spring chinook salmon reintroduction study. ODFW proposes to observe/harass ESA-listed fish during surveys and redd counts and to employ seines, traps, and electrofishing to capture ESA-listed fish

to acquire biological information or to apply passive integrated transponders, jaw tags, opercular marks, or other marks for migration studies. A lethal take of ESA-listed adult steelhead is requested. ESA- listed fish indirect mortalities associated with the scientific research activities are also requested. NWFSC (1154) requests a five-year permit for takes of juvenile, threatened, southern Oregon/northern California coast (SONCC) coho salmon associated with the National Wild Fish Health Survey in the Klamath River, within the California portion of the Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). The study consists of the capture and intentional killing of ESA-listed juveniles for a tissues analysis of bacterial and parasitic pathogens in the species. Direct mortalities of 50 juvenile coho salmon annually are requested.

Modification Requests Received

NWFSC requests modification 6 to permit 900. Permit 900 authorizes NWFSC annual takes of juvenile, endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon; juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon ; and juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR steelhead associated with three studies designed to determine the relative survival of migrating juvenile salmonids at hydropower dams and reservoirs on the Snake and Columbia Rivers in the Pacific Northwest. For modification 6, NWFSC requests an increase in the takes of ESA-listed juvenile fish associated with The Dalles Dam survival study. Actual field conditions to date in 1998 indicate that NWFSC underestimated the amount of ESA- listed fish takes needed to validate the study. ESA-listed juvenile fish are proposed to be captured at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, handled, and released while collecting non-listed fish for the study or captured at Bonneville Dam, tagged with passive integrated transponders (PIT), transported to The Dalles Dam, and released above the dam. ESA-listed juvenile fish that are PIT-tagged are subsequently proposed to be automatically detected in the juvenile fish bypass systems of Bonneville Dam without further handling. An associated increase in ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities are requested. Modification 6 is requested to be valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 900 expires on December 31, 1999. NWFSC requests modification 5 to permit 946. Permit 946 authorizes NWFSC annual takes of juvenile, endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; adult and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon; juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon; and juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR steelhead associated with two scientific research studies. The studies are designed to assess the migration timing and relative survival of chinook salmon smolts transported by barge to below Bonneville Dam with the survival to adulthood of smolts migrating volitionally inriver to Bonneville Dam and to the mouth of the Columbia River. For modification 5, NWFSC requests an increase in the takes of ESA-listed juvenile fish associated with both studies. Actual field conditions to date in 1998 indicate that NWFSC underestimated the amount of ESA-listed fish takes needed to complete the studies. An associated increase in ESA-listed juvenile fish indirect mortalities are requested. Modification 5 is requested to be valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 946 expires on December 31, 1999. NWFSC requests modification 1 to permit 964. Permit 964 authorizes NWFSC annual takes of juvenile, endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon; and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon associated with a study designed to compare the adult recoveries of run-of-the-river subyearling chinook salmon transported around the hydropower dams on the Columbia River versus those migrating inriver. For modification 1, NWFSC requests annual takes of juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR steelhead and juvenile, threatened, Snake River steelhead associated with the research. ESA-listed juvenile steelhead are proposed to be captured at McNary Dam on the Columbia River, handled, and released while collecting subyearling chinook salmon for the study. ESA-listed juvenile steelhead indirect mortalities are requested. Modification 1 is requested to be valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 964 expires on December 31, 1999. ICFWRU requests modification 4 to scientific research permit 994. Permit 994 authorizes ICFWRU annual takes of adult, ESA-listed, Snake River salmon associated with a study designed to assess the passage success of migrating adult salmonids at the four dams and reservoirs in the lower Columbia River, evaluate adult fish responses to specific flow and spill conditions, and evaluate measures to improve adult fish passage. For modification 4, ICFWRU requests annual takes of adult, endangered, UCR steelhead; adult, threatened, Snake River steelhead; and adult, threatened, LCR steelhead associated with a new study designed to determine the effects of transporting steelhead smolts on the homing of returning adults. ESA-listed adult steelhead are proposed to be captured at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, fitted with radio transmitters and identifier tags, and released. Once returned to the river, ESA-listed adult fish will be tracked electronically to hatcheries and spawning grounds. Modification 4 is requested to be valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 994 expires on December 31, 2000. The Corps requests modification 1 to scientific research permit 996. Permit 996 authorizes the Corps annual takes of juvenile, endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon; and juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon associated with a study designed to monitor the operation of the juvenile fish bypass system at Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River in WA. For modification 1, the Corps requests authorization for a take of juvenile, threatened, Snake River steelhead associated with the research. ESA-listed juvenile steelhead are proposed to be captured, examined, and released. ESA-listed juvenile steelhead indirect mortalities associated with the research are requested. Modification 1 is requested to be valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 996 expires on December 31, 2000.

Permits, Modifications, and Amendment Issued

On April 30, 1998, NMFS issued an amendment of IDFG's incidental take permit 844. The amendment provides an extension of the duration of the permit through December 31, 1998. The permit was due to expire on April 30, 1998. Permit 844 authorizes IDFG an incidental take of adult and juvenile, threatened, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon and adult, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon associated with the state of Idaho's sport-fishing program. An extension of permit 844 will allow IDFG to manage sport-fishing activities in Idaho in 1998 while NMFS processes IDFG's application for a new permit. NMFS determined that the current permit adequately addresses the incidental take

of ESA-listed species associated with recreational fisheries in the state. Notice was published on March 24, 1998 (63 FR 14069) that an application had been filed by NWFSC for modification 5 to scientific research permit 900. Modification 5 to permit 900 was issued to NWFSC on May 8, 1998. Permit 900 authorizes NWFSC annual takes of juvenile, endangered, Snake River sockeye salmon; juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon; and juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon associated with three studies designed to determine the relative survival of migrating juvenile salmonids at hydropower dams and reservoirs on the Snake and Columbia Rivers in the Pacific Northwest. For modification 5, NWFSC is authorized an increase in the takes of ESA-listed juvenile fish associated with one of the studies. Also for modification 5, NWFSC is authorized an annual take of juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, upper Columbia River steelhead associated with the research. Modification 5 is valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 900 expires on December 31, 1999. On March 18, 1998, Sarah V. Mitchell of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, applied for a modification to permit 1030 to take listed loggerhead sea turtles for examination, tagging, observation, collection of morphometric measurements, and release. The purpose of the authorized research, as stated in the permit application, is to investigate population trends, migrations, habitat, and diving behavior of loggerhead turtles in the waters of the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Ms. Mitchell requested a modification to permit 1030 to allow for the attachment of radio and sonic tags to turtles captured pursuant to her research permit. Notice is hereby given that on May 21, 1998, NMFS issued modification 2 to permit 1030 as requested. Notice was published on March 6, 1998 (63 FR 11222) that an application had been filed by USGS for modification 1 to scientific research permit 1035. Modification 1 to permit 1035 was issued to USGS on May 8, 1998. Permit 1035 authorizes USGS an annual take of juvenile, threatened, artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon associated with a study designed to monitor total dissolved gas symptoms on juvenile salmonids. For modification 1, USGS is authorized an annual take of juvenile, endangered, artificially propagated, UCR steelhead and an increase in the annual take of juvenile, ESA-listed, artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon associated with the study. Modification 1 is valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 1035 expires on December 31, 1999. Notice was published on March 6, 1998 (63 FR 11222) that an application had been filed by USGS for modification 1 to scientific research permit 1036. Modification 1 to permit 1036 was issued to USGS on May 8, 1998. Permit 1036 authorizes USGS an annual take of adult and juvenile, threatened, Snake River fall chinook salmon and juvenile, threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated, Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon associated with a study designed to determine the post-release attributes and survival of hatchery and natural fall chinook salmon in the Snake River. For modification 1, USGS is authorized an increase in the takes of ESA-listed salmon juveniles and an annual take of juvenile, endangered, naturally produced and artificially propagated, UCR steelhead associated with the research. Modification 1 is valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 1036 expires on December 31, 2001. Notice was published on September 24, 1997 (62 FR 49961) that an application had been filed by ENTRIX for a modification to a scientific research permit. Modification 1 to permit 1050 was issued to ENTRIX on March 12, 1998. Permit 1050 authorizes takes of of adult and juvenile, threatened, central California coast (CCC) coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies throughout the ESU. ESA-listed fish may be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities are also authorized. The modification authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, SONCC coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies throughout the California portion of the ESU. ESA- listed fish may be observed or captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities are also authorized. The modification authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, endangered, southern California steelhead associated with fish population and habitat studies throughout the ESU. ESA-listed fish may be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities are also authorized. Modification 1 is valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 1050 expires on June 30, 2002. Notice was published on December 17, 1997 (62 FR 66053) that an application had been filed by STC for a scientific research permit. Permit 1060 was issued to STC on March 23, 1998. Permit 1060 authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, SONCC coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies within the California portion of the ESU. ESA-listed fish will be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 1060 expires on June 30, 2003. Notice was published on November 28, 1997 (62 FR 63317) that an application had been filed by USFS for a scientific research permit. Permit 1071 was issued to USFS on May 18, 1998. Permit 1071 authorizes takes of juvenile, threatened, SONCC coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies within the California portion of the ESU. ESA-listed fish will be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 1071 expires on June 30, 2003. Notice was published on January 13, 1998 (63 FR 2364) that an application had been filed by PLC for a scientific research permit. Permit 1074 was issued to PLC on May 13, 1998. Permit 1074 authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, SONCC coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies within the California portion of the ESU. ESA-listed fish will be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 1074 expires on June 30, 2003. Notice was published on January 13, 1998 (63 FR 2364) that an application had been filed by PCFFA for a scientific research permit. Permit 1075 was issued to PCFFA on May 19, 1998. Permit 1075 authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, SONCC coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies within the California portion of the ESU. ESA-listed fish will be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 1075 expires on June 30, 2003. Notice was published on November 5, 1997 (62 FR 59848) that an application had been filed by GPWI for a modification to a scientific research permit. Modification 1 to permit 1079 was issued to GPWI on May 12, 1998. Permit 1079 authorizes takes of of juvenile, threatened, CCC coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies throughout the ESU. ESA-listed fish may be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities are also authorized. The modification authorizes takes of juvenile, threatened, SONCC coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies throughout the

California portion of the ESU. ESA-listed fish may be observed or captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities are also authorized. Modification 1 is valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 1079 expires on June 30, 2002. Notice was published on November 17, 1997 (62 FR 61295) that an application had been filed by SYRTAC for a scientific research permit. Permit 1091 was issued to SYRTAC on March 23, 1998. Permit 1091 authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, endangered, southern California steelhead associated with fish population and habitat studies within the ESU. ESA-listed fish will be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 1091 expires on June 30, 2003. Notice was published on November 17, 1997 (62 FR 61295) that an application had been filed by RMI for a scientific research permit. Permit 1097 was issued to RMI on May 11, 1998. Permit 1097 authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, CCC coho salmon, adult and juvenile, threatened, SONCC (in California only) coho salmon, and adult and juvenile, endangered, southern California steelhead associated with fish population and habitat studies throughout the ESUs. ESA-listed fish will be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 1097 expires on June 30, 2003. Notice was published on November 17, 1997 (62 FR 61295) that an application had been filed by LPC for a modification to a scientific research permit. Modification 1 to permit 1104 was issued to LPC on May 11, 1998. Permit 1104 authorizes takes of of adult and juvenile, threatened, CCC coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies throughout the ESU. ESA-listed fish may be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities are also authorized. The modification authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, SONCC coho salmon associated with fish population and habitat studies throughout the California portion of the ESU. ESA-listed fish may be observed or captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities are also authorized. Modification 1 is valid for the duration of the permit. Permit 1104 expires on June 30, 2002. Notice was published on November 17, 1997 (62 FR 61295) that an application had been filed by HES for a scientific research permit. Permit 1105 was issued to HES on May 11, 1998. Permit 1105 authorizes takes of adult and juvenile, threatened, CCC coho salmon, adult and juvenile, threatened, SONCC (in California only) coho salmon, and adult and juvenile, endangered, southern California steelhead associated with fish population and habitat studies throughout the ESUs. ESA-listed fish will be captured, handled, and released. Indirect mortalities associated with the research are also authorized. Permit 1105 expires on June 30, 2003.

Dated: May 22, 1998. Patricia A. Montanio, Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-14247 Filed 5-28-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F