Endangered and Threatened Species; 5-Year Reviews for 28 Listed Species of Pacific Salmon, Steelhead, and Eulachon, 33468-33469 [2016-12454]

Download as PDF 33468 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 102 / Thursday, May 26, 2016 / Notices 2:50 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (check agenda on Web site to confirm time.) The Committee expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of three (3) minutes. Written comments should be received by the Designated Federal Official by June 17, 2016 to provide sufficient time for Committee review. Written comments received after June 17, 2016, will be distributed to the Committee, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The meeting will focus on review of draft recommendations on how the U.S. IOOS Program Office could improve the Ocean Technology Transition (OTT) Program. The agenda is subject to change. The latest version will be posted at https://ioos.noaa.gov/ community/u-s-ioos-advisorycommittee/. Dated: May 16, 2016. Zdenka Willis, Director, U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Office. [FR Doc. 2016–12475 Filed 5–25–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD162 Endangered Species; File No. 18029 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Tasha L. Metz, Ph.D., Texas A&M University at Galveston, Department of Marine Biology, P.O. Box 1675, Galveston, TX 77551 has been issued a permit to take loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research. ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. Rosa ´ Gonzalez or Amy Hapeman, (301) 427– 8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 12, 2014, notice was published in the Federal Register (79 FR 13991) that a request for a scientific research permit to take sea turtles had been submitted by the above-named individual. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). Permit No. 18029 authorizes Dr. Metz to capture loggerhead, green, Kemp’s ridley, and hawksbill sea turtles using nets to continue studying relative abundance, distribution, habitat use, and health status of the above sea turtle species in estuarine and nearshore waters in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico particularly off Texas and Louisiana. Visual surveys by vessel may also be performed. Captured turtles would be examined, biologically sampled, and tagged prior to release. A select number may be outfitted with satellite transmitters to track movements post-release. The permit expires on May 31, 2021. Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permit (1) was applied for in good faith, (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered or threatened species, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: May 23, 2016. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–12445 Filed 5–25–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 May 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD756 Endangered and Threatened Species; 5-Year Reviews for 28 Listed Species of Pacific Salmon, Steelhead, and Eulachon National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: NMFS’ West Coast Region announces the availability of 5-year SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 reviews for 17 evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.), 10 distinct population segments (DPSs) of steelhead (O. mykiss), and the southern DPS of eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The purpose of the reviews was to evaluate whether the listing classifications of these species remains accurate or should be changed. After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial data, we conclude that no changes in the ESA-listing status for the 27 salmonid ESUs and DPSs, or the southern DPS of eulachon, are warranted at this time. ADDRESSES: Additional information about the 5-year reviews may be obtained by visiting the NMFS West Coast Region’s Web site: https:// www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov, or by writing to us at: NMFS West Coast Region, Protected Resources Division, 1201 Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Scott Rumsey at the above address, by phone at (503) 872–2791, or by email at scott.rumsey@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years. On the basis of such reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any species should be removed from the list (delisted), or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. During 5-year reviews, we consider the best scientific and commercial data available, including new information that has become available since the last listing determination or most recent status review of a species. On February 6, 2015, the NMFS West Coast Region announced initiation of 5-year reviews of all 28 ESA-listed Pacific salmon ESUs and steelhead DPSs, the southern DPS of eulachon, and three DPSs of Puget Sound rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) (80 FR 6695). Both ESUs and DPSs are treated as ‘species’ under the ESA. At the time of our announcement, we requested information on species viability, threats to the species, and protective efforts, from the public, concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, environmental entities, and other interested parties. This notice addresses the following ESUs and DPSs: (1) Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon ESU; (2) E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1 sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 102 / Thursday, May 26, 2016 / Notices Upper Columbia River spring-run Chinook salmon ESU; (3) Snake River spring/summer-run Chinook salmon ESU; (4) Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon ESU; (5) California Coastal Chinook salmon ESU; (6) Puget Sound Chinook salmon ESU; (7) Lower Columbia River Chinook salmon ESU; (8) Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon ESU; (9) Hood Canal summerrun chum salmon ESU; (10) Columbia River chum salmon ESU; (11) Central California Coast coho salmon ESU; (12) Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast coho salmon ESU; (13) Lower Columbia River coho salmon ESU; (14) Oregon Coast coho salmon ESU; (15) Snake River sockeye salmon ESU; (16) Ozette Lake sockeye salmon ESU; (17) Southern California steelhead DPS; (18) Upper Columbia River steelhead DPS; (19) Middle Columbia River steelhead DPS; (20) Snake River Basin steelhead DPS; (21) Lower Columbia River steelhead DPS; (22) Upper Willamette River steelhead DPS; (23) South-Central California Coast steelhead DPS; (24) Central California Coast steelhead DPS; (25) Northern California steelhead DPS; (26) California Central Valley steelhead DPS; (27) Puget Sound steelhead DPS; and (28) the southern DPS of eulachon. On January 16, 2015, we received a petition from the Chinook Futures Coalition to delist the Snake River fallrun Chinook ESU under the ESA. On April 22, 2015, we published a positive 90-day finding (80 FR 22468) that the petition presented substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted, and we announced the initiation of a status review. While the Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon ESU was included as part of our 5-year reviews of West Coast salmon and steelhead, the results of our review of Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon and our finding on the delisting petition are addressed in a separate notice in this issue of the Federal Register. The 5-year review findings for the three Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPSs of yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish, and bocaccio rockfish will be announced separately on our Web site: https:// www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov. We used a multi-step process to complete the subject 5-year review. First, we asked scientists from NMFS’ Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers to collect and analyze new information about species viability. To evaluate species viability, our scientists evaluate four criteria— abundance, productivity, spatial structure, and diversity. They also considered new genetic and biogeographic information regarding VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 May 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 species’ ranges. At the end of this process, the Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers prepared two reports detailing the results of their analyses. Next, biologists from the NMFS West Coast Region with expertise in salmonid hatchery management conducted a review of all West Coast salmonid hatchery programs associated with the ESA-listed salmon and steelhead. Their evaluation was guided by NMFS’ Policy on the Consideration of Hatchery-Origin Fish in Endangered Species Act Listing Determinations for Pacific Salmon and Steelhead (Hatchery Listing Policy) (70 FR 37204; June 28, 2005). A memorandum (Jones 2015) summarizes their evaluation of the relatedness of related hatchery stocks relative to the local natural populations to determine if the stocks warrant inclusion as part of the respective ESA listings. Finally, we formed geographicallybased teams of salmon and eulachon management biologists from our West Coast Region to evaluate information related to the five ESA section 4(a)(1) listing factors. These section 4(a)(1) factors are: (1) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of the species’ habitat or range; (2) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or man-made factors affecting the species’ continued existence. These teams produced ‘‘5-Year Review Reports’’ that incorporate the findings of the Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers’ reports, summarize new information concerning the delineation of the subject ESUs and DPSs and inclusion of closely related salmonid hatchery programs, and detail the evaluation of the ESA section 4(a)(1) listing factors. The Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers’ reports, the 5-year review reports, and additional information are available on our Web site: https:// www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov. Findings After considering the best available information, we conclude that the 17 Pacific salmon ESUs, the 10 steelhead DPSs, and the southern DPS of eulachon detailed above shall remain listed as currently classified. We also conclude that, based on the best information available, no adjustments to the species’ ranges are necessary. We did conclude that the species membership of several salmonid hatchery programs will need to be revised. We will adjust the hatchery PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 33469 memberships through a subsequent rulemaking. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Dated: May 23, 2016. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–12454 Filed 5–25–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 150211136–6422–02] RIN 0648–XD769 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding on a Petition To Delist the Snake River Fall-Run Chinook Salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of 12-month finding and availability of 5-year reviews. AGENCY: We, NMFS, announce a 12month finding on a petition to delist the Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) (Snake River fall-run Chinook) Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Snake River fall-run Chinook ESU was listed as threatened under the ESA in 1992. We have completed a comprehensive review of the status of the species in response to the petition. Based on the best scientific and commercial data available, we have determined that delisting of the Snake River fall-run Chinook ESU is not warranted at this time. We conclude that the Snake River fall-run Chinook is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and will remain listed as a threatened species under the ESA. We also announce the availability of 5-year reviews, prepared pursuant to ESA, for four Snake River salmonid species: The Snake River fall-run Chinook ESU, the Snake River sockeye salmon ESU, the Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon ESU, and the Snake River steelhead distinct population segment (DPS). We combined our evaluations and findings for these four species into a joint report. This 5-Year Review Report determined that the four Snake SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 102 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33468-33469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12454]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD756


Endangered and Threatened Species; 5-Year Reviews for 28 Listed 
Species of Pacific Salmon, Steelhead, and Eulachon

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS' West Coast Region announces the availability of 5-year 
reviews for 17 evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of Pacific 
salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.), 10 distinct population segments (DPSs) of 
steelhead (O. mykiss), and the southern DPS of eulachon (Thaleichthys 
pacificus) as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (ESA). The purpose of the reviews was to evaluate whether the 
listing classifications of these species remains accurate or should be 
changed. After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial 
data, we conclude that no changes in the ESA-listing status for the 27 
salmonid ESUs and DPSs, or the southern DPS of eulachon, are warranted 
at this time.

ADDRESSES: Additional information about the 5-year reviews may be 
obtained by visiting the NMFS West Coast Region's Web site: https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov, or by writing to us at: NMFS West 
Coast Region, Protected Resources Division, 1201 Lloyd Blvd., Suite 
1100, Portland, OR 97232.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Scott Rumsey at the above address, 
by phone at (503) 872-2791, or by email at scott.rumsey@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of 
listed species at least once every 5 years. On the basis of such 
reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any species 
should be removed from the list (delisted), or reclassified from 
endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. During 5-
year reviews, we consider the best scientific and commercial data 
available, including new information that has become available since 
the last listing determination or most recent status review of a 
species.
    On February 6, 2015, the NMFS West Coast Region announced 
initiation of 5-year reviews of all 28 ESA-listed Pacific salmon ESUs 
and steelhead DPSs, the southern DPS of eulachon, and three DPSs of 
Puget Sound rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) (80 FR 6695). Both ESUs and DPSs 
are treated as `species' under the ESA. At the time of our 
announcement, we requested information on species viability, threats to 
the species, and protective efforts, from the public, concerned 
governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, environmental 
entities, and other interested parties.
    This notice addresses the following ESUs and DPSs: (1) Sacramento 
River winter-run Chinook salmon ESU; (2)

[[Page 33469]]

Upper Columbia River spring-run Chinook salmon ESU; (3) Snake River 
spring/summer-run Chinook salmon ESU; (4) Central Valley spring-run 
Chinook salmon ESU; (5) California Coastal Chinook salmon ESU; (6) 
Puget Sound Chinook salmon ESU; (7) Lower Columbia River Chinook salmon 
ESU; (8) Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon ESU; (9) Hood Canal 
summer-run chum salmon ESU; (10) Columbia River chum salmon ESU; (11) 
Central California Coast coho salmon ESU; (12) Southern Oregon/Northern 
California Coast coho salmon ESU; (13) Lower Columbia River coho salmon 
ESU; (14) Oregon Coast coho salmon ESU; (15) Snake River sockeye salmon 
ESU; (16) Ozette Lake sockeye salmon ESU; (17) Southern California 
steelhead DPS; (18) Upper Columbia River steelhead DPS; (19) Middle 
Columbia River steelhead DPS; (20) Snake River Basin steelhead DPS; 
(21) Lower Columbia River steelhead DPS; (22) Upper Willamette River 
steelhead DPS; (23) South-Central California Coast steelhead DPS; (24) 
Central California Coast steelhead DPS; (25) Northern California 
steelhead DPS; (26) California Central Valley steelhead DPS; (27) Puget 
Sound steelhead DPS; and (28) the southern DPS of eulachon.
    On January 16, 2015, we received a petition from the Chinook 
Futures Coalition to delist the Snake River fall-run Chinook ESU under 
the ESA. On April 22, 2015, we published a positive 90-day finding (80 
FR 22468) that the petition presented substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be 
warranted, and we announced the initiation of a status review. While 
the Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon ESU was included as part of our 
5-year reviews of West Coast salmon and steelhead, the results of our 
review of Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon and our finding on the 
delisting petition are addressed in a separate notice in this issue of 
the Federal Register. The 5-year review findings for the three Puget 
Sound/Georgia Basin DPSs of yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish, and 
bocaccio rockfish will be announced separately on our Web site: https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov.
    We used a multi-step process to complete the subject 5-year review. 
First, we asked scientists from NMFS' Northwest and Southwest Fisheries 
Science Centers to collect and analyze new information about species 
viability. To evaluate species viability, our scientists evaluate four 
criteria--abundance, productivity, spatial structure, and diversity. 
They also considered new genetic and biogeographic information 
regarding species' ranges. At the end of this process, the Northwest 
and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers prepared two reports detailing 
the results of their analyses.
    Next, biologists from the NMFS West Coast Region with expertise in 
salmonid hatchery management conducted a review of all West Coast 
salmonid hatchery programs associated with the ESA-listed salmon and 
steelhead. Their evaluation was guided by NMFS' Policy on the 
Consideration of Hatchery-Origin Fish in Endangered Species Act Listing 
Determinations for Pacific Salmon and Steelhead (Hatchery Listing 
Policy) (70 FR 37204; June 28, 2005). A memorandum (Jones 2015) 
summarizes their evaluation of the relatedness of related hatchery 
stocks relative to the local natural populations to determine if the 
stocks warrant inclusion as part of the respective ESA listings.
    Finally, we formed geographically-based teams of salmon and 
eulachon management biologists from our West Coast Region to evaluate 
information related to the five ESA section 4(a)(1) listing factors. 
These section 4(a)(1) factors are: (1) The present or threatened 
destruction, modification, or curtailment of the species' habitat or 
range; (2) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or man-made 
factors affecting the species' continued existence. These teams 
produced ``5-Year Review Reports'' that incorporate the findings of the 
Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers' reports, summarize 
new information concerning the delineation of the subject ESUs and DPSs 
and inclusion of closely related salmonid hatchery programs, and detail 
the evaluation of the ESA section 4(a)(1) listing factors. The 
Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers' reports, the 5-year 
review reports, and additional information are available on our Web 
site: https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov.

Findings

    After considering the best available information, we conclude that 
the 17 Pacific salmon ESUs, the 10 steelhead DPSs, and the southern DPS 
of eulachon detailed above shall remain listed as currently classified.
    We also conclude that, based on the best information available, no 
adjustments to the species' ranges are necessary. We did conclude that 
the species membership of several salmonid hatchery programs will need 
to be revised. We will adjust the hatchery memberships through a 
subsequent rulemaking.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: May 23, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-12454 Filed 5-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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