Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 14657-14659 [05-5752]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 23, 2005 / Notices
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental
assessment was prepared analyzing the
effects of the permitted activities. After
a Finding of No Significant Impact, the
determination was made that it was not
necessary to prepare an environmental
impact statement.
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 the endangered species
which is the subject of this permit, and
(3) is consistent with the purposes and
policies set forth in section 2 of the
ESA.
Dated: March14, 2005.
Steve L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–5749 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those
individuals requesting a hearing should
set forth the specific reasons why a
hearing on this particular modification
request would be appropriate.
Comments may also be submitted by
facsimile at (301) 427–2521, provided
the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy
submitted by mail and postmarked no
later than the closing date of the
comment period.
Comments may also be submitted by
e-mail. The mailbox address for
providing email comments is
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Include
in the subject line of the e-mail
comment the following document
identifier: File No. 1409.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick Opay or Ruth Johnson, (301)
713–2289.
The
subject modification to Permit No. 1409,
issued on July 28, 2003 (68 FR 44297)
is requested under the authority of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and
the regulations governing the taking,
importing, and exporting of endangered
and threatened species (50 CFR 222–
226).
Permit No. 1409 authorizes the permit
holder to conduct research on green
(Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead sea
turtles (Caretta caretta) for scientific
research. The research is attempting to
characterize the turtle aggregations
using the nearshore reefs in central
Brevard County as developmental
habitat and to better understand their
foraging habitats and movements. The
permit holder requests authorization to
increase the research area by an
additional 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometers) to
the south in order to study animals
using the lower less dense reefs in this
area. No increase in take or additional
research activities are requested.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 031105E]
Endangered Species; File No. 1409
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of application for
modification.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Karen G. Holloway-Adkins, Executive
Director of East Coast Biologists, Inc.,
Indialantic, FL 32903, has requested a
modification to scientific research
Permit No. 1409.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail
comments must be received on or before
April 22, 2005.
ADDRESSES: The modification request
and related documents are available for
review upon written request or by
appointment in the following office(s):
Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
(301) 713–2289; fax (301) 427–2521; and
Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701;
phone (727) 824–5312; fax (727) 824–
5309.
Written comments or requests for a
public hearing on this request should be
submitted to the Chief, Permits,
Conservation and Education Division,
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:27 Mar 22, 2005
Jkt 205001
Dated: March 17, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–5750 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
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14657
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 031705A]
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Take of Anadromous Fish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Permit modifications and
request for new research permits.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
NMFS has received three scientific
research permit applications and two
modification requests relating to Pacific
salmon. 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.
DATES: Comments or requests for a
public hearing on the application must
be received at the appropriate address or
fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later
than 5 p.m. Pacific daylight-saving time
on April 22, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the
application should be sent to Protected
Resources Division, NMFS, F/NWO3,
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100,
Portland, OR 97232–2737. Comments
may also be sent via fax to 503–230–
5441 or by e-mail to
resapps.nwr@NOAA.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Garth Griffin, Portland, OR (ph.: 503–
231–2005, Fax: 503–230–5441, e-mail:
Garth.Griffin@noaa.gov). Permit
application instructions are available at
https://www.nwr.noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Species Covered in This Notice
The following listed species and
evolutionarily significant units (ESUs)
are covered in this notice:
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha): endangered naturallyproduced and artificially propagated
upper Columbia River (UCR); threatened
naturally-produced and artificially
propagated Snake River (SR) spring/
summer (spr/sum); threatened SR fall;
threatened lower Columbia River (LCR);
threatened upper Willamette River
(UWR); threatened naturally-produced
and artificially propagated Puget Sound
(PS).
Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened
Columbia River (CR).
Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened SR;
threatened middle Columbia River
(MCR); endangered UCR; threatened
LCR; threatened UWR.
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14658
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 23, 2005 / Notices
Coho salmon (O. kisutch): proposed
threatened Oregon Coast (OC); proposed
threatened LCR.
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). The
holding of such a hearing is at the
discretion of the Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS.
Applications Received
Permit 1410 – Modification 2
The Northwest Fisheries Science
Center (NWFSC) is asking to modify its
5–year permit to expand on a study in
the Columbia River plume and
surrounding ocean environment. The
NWFSC is requesting to increase its
annual take of adult and juvenile LCR
chinook salmon, SR fall chinook
salmon, SR spring/summer chinook
salmon, UCR chinook salmon, UWR
chinook salmon, CR chum salmon, SR
steelhead, and OC coho salmon. OC
coho salmon are currently proposed as
a threatened species. The research is
designed to investigate the distribution,
abundance, condition, and health of
juvenile salmonids in relation to
oceanographic conditions. The purpose
of the study is to help researchers and
managers better understand the factors
controlling estuarine and marine
survival. The study will provide
information to help forecast survival
potential as a function of plume and
ocean conditions. Further, the study
will be coordinated with a predation
study which is a component of the
plume study but was covered under a
different authorization in previous
years.
The NWFSC is requesting
authorization to capture (using surface
trawling), handle, and release adult and
juvenile fish and to intentionally kill
some juveniles for endocrine
assessment, stock identification,
pathogen prevalence and intensity,
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:27 Mar 22, 2005
Jkt 205001
otolith and stomach content analysis,
and histopathological attributes. The
NWFSC does not intend to kill any
adult fish being captured but some may
die as an unintentional result of the
research activities.
Permit 1479 – Modification 1
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is
asking to modify its 5–year permit to
expand on a study in the Wind River,
Washington. The USGS is asking to
increase its annual take of LCR chinook
salmon and add takes of CR chum
salmon and LCR coho salmon. LCR coho
salmon are currently proposed as a
threatened species. The research is
designed to investigate the efficacy of
nutrient enhancement in increasing
juvenile fish growth and condition and
thereby determine how effectively it can
be used to restore juvenile salmonid
production in nutrient-deficient
watersheds. The research will help
state, tribal, and Federal managers in
their efforts to restore lower Columbia
River salmon and steelhead populations
and their habitats.
The USGS proposes to capture (using
backpack electrofishers), handle, tag
with passive integrated transponders or
visual implants, and release listed
salmonids. The USGS does not intend to
capture adult fish but some may be in
the area being fished and will be
avoided as much as possible. While
most of the fish would be unharmed,
some juveniles may unintentionally be
killed during the course of the research.
Permit 1523
The National Council of Air and
Stream Improvements (NCASI) is
requesting a 5–year permit to conduct
research in the McKenzie and
Willamette rivers in Oregon. The NCASI
is asking to take juvenile UWR chinook
salmon and steelhead while studying
water quality and biological conditions
in rivers receiving paper- and pulp mill
discharges. The research will provide
information on existing conditions in
the watersheds and on changes in those
conditions over time, and ultimately on
the aquatic communities’ responses to
environmental stressors.
The information will be used in a
larger effort to monitor watershed
health, water quality, and salmon
recovery in the Upper Willamette
watershed.
The NCASI proposes to capture (using
boat electrofishers), handle, and release
listed salmonids. The NCASI does not
intend to capture adult fish but some
may be in the area being fished and will
be avoided as much as possible. While
most of the fish would be unharmed,
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some juveniles may unintentionally be
killed during the course of the research.
Permit 1524
The NWFSC is requesting a 5–year
research permit for intentional mortality
and unintentional mortality of juvenile
Puget Sound chinook salmon. The
research would consist of two studies.
Study 1 would take place in the Skagit
River estuary, Washington, and Study 2
would take place in Puget Sound,
Washington. The purpose of study 1 is
to examine density dependence and
survival during estuarine residence in
juvenile chinook salmon. The purpose
of Study 2 is to examine nearshore
habitat use, movements, and survival of
juvenile chinook and coho salmon in
Puget Sound. The goal of this research
is to understand changes in population
characteristics (primarily abundance,
productivity, and life history diversity)
of wild chinook salmon in response to
projects designed to reconnect and
restore estuarine habitat. These studies
are among the top priorities of the
NMFS’ Salmon Research Plan,
including the need to estimate and
evaluate estuarine and marine survival
at several spatial scales.
In Study 1, fish would be captured at
several sites in the Skagit River tidal
delta by beach seining. Naturally
produced juvenile chinook salmon
would be marked and placed in
enclosures for a period of 2 weeks. A
small number of the fish may die as an
unintended result of the capture,
handle, and mark procedure. The
NWFSC would also kill a portion of the
fish for diet and otolith analysis. In
Study 2, fish would be captured at
several sites in the Skagit Bay by beach
seining. Naturally-produced juvenile
chinook salmon would be marked with
a combination of an external tag and an
internal acoustic tag. The NWFSC does
not intend to kill any of the fish being
captured in study 2, but a small number
may die as an unintended result of the
activities.
Permit 1525
The Northwest Fisheries Science
Center (NWFSC) is requesting a 5–year
research permit to study salmonids in
the Lower Willamette River, Oregon,
and in the Columbia River from
Bonneville Dam to the mouth. The
NWFSC is requesting to take juvenile SR
spring/summer chinook salmon, SR fall
chinook salmon, SR steelhead, UCR
chinook salmon, UCR steelhead, MCR
steelhead, LCR chinook salmon, LCR
steelhead, UWR chinook salmon, UWR
steelhead, and CR chum salmon.
The research is currently authorized
under Permit 1140, Study 3. If
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 23, 2005 / Notices
authorized, the research will be
authorized by this new permit and
removed from Permit 1140. The
purposes of the study are to (1)
determine contaminant concentrations
in fish, (2) understand bioaccumulation
in juvenile salmon and determine sitespecific factors, (3) analyze for the
presence of physiological biomarkers,
and (4) investigate the presence of
indicators of exposure to environmental
estrogens. The NWFSC would collect
samples with seines or high speed rope
trawls and is asking for authorization to
handle juvenile fish and to intentionally
kill some of them for pathogen
prevalence and intensity, biochemical
composition, histopathological
attributes, and stomach content
analyses.
This notice is provided pursuant to
section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will
evaluate the application, associated
documents, and comments submitted to
determine whether the application
meets 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: March 17, 2005.
Marta Nammack,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–5752 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
President’s Information Technology
Advisory Committee (PITAC)
Notice of meeting; President’s
Information Technology Advisory
Committee (PITAC).
ACTION:
SUMMARY: This meeting is focused on
the presentation and deliberation of
PITAC’s draft report on computational
science. Public input will be solicited
during a public comment period. An
update will also be provided on the
dissemination of PITAC’s new report
Cyber Security: A Crisis of
Prioritization. A small fraction of the
meeting time may be allocated for other
PITAC updates at the discretion of the
co-chairs and the designated Federal
officer.
Thursday, April 14, 2005, 10
a.m.–1 p.m. eastern time.
DATE:
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:27 Mar 22, 2005
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14659
ADDRESS: Hilton Washington Embassy
Row Hotel, 2015 Massachusetts Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20036.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
meeting will also be held via a
teleconference and the Internet through
the WebEx application. Information
about registration for in-person or
remote participation will be posted at
PITAC’s Web site (https://www.nitrd.gov/
pitac) by March 31. Meeting information
may also be obtained by calling (703)
292–4873. The agenda for the meeting
will be posted at PITAC’s Web site
when it becomes available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alan Inouye at the National
Coordination Office for Information
Technology Research and Development
at (703) 292–4873 or by e-mail at
inouye@nitrd.gov.
DATES: March 30, 2005, 8:30 a.m.–11:30
a.m.
Location: The Courtyard Marriott,
2700 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria,
Virginia 22314.
Dated: March 17, 2005.
Jeannette Owings-Ballard,
OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer,
Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 05–5747 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am]
Interested persons may submit a
written statement for consideration by
the Task Force and make an oral
presentation of such. Persons desiring to
make an oral presentation or submit a
written statement to the Committee
must notify the point of contact listed
above no later than 5 p.m., March 25,
2005. Oral presentations by members of
the public will be permitted only on
March 30, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. until
10:30 a.m. before the full Task Force.
Presentations will be limited to ten (10)
minutes each. Number of oral
presentations to be made will depend
on the number of requests received from
members of the public and the time
allotted. Each person desiring to make
an oral presentation must provide the
point of contact listed above with one
(1) written copy of the presentation by
5 p.m., March 25, 2005 and bring 15
written copies of any material that is
intended for distribution at the meeting.
Persons submitting a written statement
must submit 15 written copies of the
statement to the Task Force staff by 5
p.m. on March 25, 2005.
General Information: Additional
information concerning the Defense
Task Force on Sexual Harassment and
Violence at The Military Service
Academies, its structure, function, and
composition, may be found on the
DTFSH and VTMA Web site (https://
www.dtic.mil/dtfs).
BILLING CODE 5001–06–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Notice of the Defense Task Force on
Sexual Harassment and Violence at the
Military Service Academies—Open
Meeting.
Department of Defense.
Notice; Defense Task Force on
Sexual Harassment and Violence at the
Military Service Academies—open
meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public
Law 96–463, notice is hereby given that
the Defense Task Force on Sexual
Harassment and Violence at the Military
Service Academies will hold an open
meeting at The Courtyard Marriott, 2700
Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria,
Virginia 22314, on March 30, 2005 from
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Purpose: The Task Force will meet on
March 30, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. until
11:30 a.m. This session will be open to
the public, subject to the availability of
space. In keeping with the spirit of
Federal Advisory Committee Act, it is
the desire of the Task Force to provide
the public with an opportunity to make
comment regarding the current work of
the Task Force. The first two hours of
the meeting will be designated for any
public comment. During the final hour,
the Task Force as a whole will discuss
various issues regarding victims’ rights
and services at the U.S. Military and
Naval Academies. Any interested
citizens are encouraged to attend.
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Any
member of the public wishing further
information concerning this meeting or
wishing to submit comments must
contact:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. William Harkey, Public Affairs
Officer, Task Force on Sexual
Harassment and Violence at the
Military Service Academies, 2850
Eisenhower Ave, Suite 100,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314.
Telephone: (703) 325–6640, DSN#
221–6640, Fax: (703) 325–6710/6711,
william.harkey.CTR@wso.whs.mil.
Dated: March 17, 2005.
Jeannette Owings-Ballard,
OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer,
Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 05–5745 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14657-14659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5752]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 031705A]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Permit modifications and request for new research permits.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received three scientific
research permit applications and two modification requests relating to
Pacific salmon. 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.
DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on the application
must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see
ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific daylight-saving time on April
22, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the application should be sent to
Protected Resources Division, NMFS, F/NWO3, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite
1100, Portland, OR 97232-2737. Comments may also be sent via fax to
503-230-5441 or by e-mail to resapps.nwr@NOAA.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Garth Griffin, Portland, OR (ph.: 503-
231-2005, Fax: 503-230-5441, e-mail: Garth.Griffin@noaa.gov). Permit
application instructions are available at https://www.nwr.noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Species Covered in This Notice
The following listed species and evolutionarily significant units
(ESUs) are covered in this notice:
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): endangered naturally-
produced and artificially propagated upper Columbia River (UCR);
threatened naturally-produced and artificially propagated Snake River
(SR) spring/summer (spr/sum); threatened SR fall; threatened lower
Columbia River (LCR); threatened upper Willamette River (UWR);
threatened naturally-produced and artificially propagated Puget Sound
(PS).
Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened Columbia River (CR).
Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened SR; threatened middle Columbia
River (MCR); endangered UCR; threatened LCR; threatened UWR.
[[Page 14658]]
Coho salmon (O. kisutch): proposed threatened Oregon Coast (OC);
proposed threatened LCR.
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). The holding of such a hearing is
at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS.
Applications Received
Permit 1410 - Modification 2
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is asking to modify
its 5-year permit to expand on a study in the Columbia River plume and
surrounding ocean environment. The NWFSC is requesting to increase its
annual take of adult and juvenile LCR chinook salmon, SR fall chinook
salmon, SR spring/summer chinook salmon, UCR chinook salmon, UWR
chinook salmon, CR chum salmon, SR steelhead, and OC coho salmon. OC
coho salmon are currently proposed as a threatened species. The
research is designed to investigate the distribution, abundance,
condition, and health of juvenile salmonids in relation to
oceanographic conditions. The purpose of the study is to help
researchers and managers better understand the factors controlling
estuarine and marine survival. The study will provide information to
help forecast survival potential as a function of plume and ocean
conditions. Further, the study will be coordinated with a predation
study which is a component of the plume study but was covered under a
different authorization in previous years.
The NWFSC is requesting authorization to capture (using surface
trawling), handle, and release adult and juvenile fish and to
intentionally kill some juveniles for endocrine assessment, stock
identification, pathogen prevalence and intensity, otolith and stomach
content analysis, and histopathological attributes. The NWFSC does not
intend to kill any adult fish being captured but some may die as an
unintentional result of the research activities.
Permit 1479 - Modification 1
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is asking to modify its 5-year
permit to expand on a study in the Wind River, Washington. The USGS is
asking to increase its annual take of LCR chinook salmon and add takes
of CR chum salmon and LCR coho salmon. LCR coho salmon are currently
proposed as a threatened species. The research is designed to
investigate the efficacy of nutrient enhancement in increasing juvenile
fish growth and condition and thereby determine how effectively it can
be used to restore juvenile salmonid production in nutrient-deficient
watersheds. The research will help state, tribal, and Federal managers
in their efforts to restore lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead
populations and their habitats.
The USGS proposes to capture (using backpack electrofishers),
handle, tag with passive integrated transponders or visual implants,
and release listed salmonids. The USGS does not intend to capture adult
fish but some may be in the area being fished and will be avoided as
much as possible. While most of the fish would be unharmed, some
juveniles may unintentionally be killed during the course of the
research.
Permit 1523
The National Council of Air and Stream Improvements (NCASI) is
requesting a 5-year permit to conduct research in the McKenzie and
Willamette rivers in Oregon. The NCASI is asking to take juvenile UWR
chinook salmon and steelhead while studying water quality and
biological conditions in rivers receiving paper- and pulp mill
discharges. The research will provide information on existing
conditions in the watersheds and on changes in those conditions over
time, and ultimately on the aquatic communities' responses to
environmental stressors.
The information will be used in a larger effort to monitor
watershed health, water quality, and salmon recovery in the Upper
Willamette watershed.
The NCASI proposes to capture (using boat electrofishers), handle,
and release listed salmonids. The NCASI does not intend to capture
adult fish but some may be in the area being fished and will be avoided
as much as possible. While most of the fish would be unharmed, some
juveniles may unintentionally be killed during the course of the
research.
Permit 1524
The NWFSC is requesting a 5-year research permit for intentional
mortality and unintentional mortality of juvenile Puget Sound chinook
salmon. The research would consist of two studies. Study 1 would take
place in the Skagit River estuary, Washington, and Study 2 would take
place in Puget Sound, Washington. The purpose of study 1 is to examine
density dependence and survival during estuarine residence in juvenile
chinook salmon. The purpose of Study 2 is to examine nearshore habitat
use, movements, and survival of juvenile chinook and coho salmon in
Puget Sound. The goal of this research is to understand changes in
population characteristics (primarily abundance, productivity, and life
history diversity) of wild chinook salmon in response to projects
designed to reconnect and restore estuarine habitat. These studies are
among the top priorities of the NMFS' Salmon Research Plan, including
the need to estimate and evaluate estuarine and marine survival at
several spatial scales.
In Study 1, fish would be captured at several sites in the Skagit
River tidal delta by beach seining. Naturally produced juvenile chinook
salmon would be marked and placed in enclosures for a period of 2
weeks. A small number of the fish may die as an unintended result of
the capture, handle, and mark procedure. The NWFSC would also kill a
portion of the fish for diet and otolith analysis. In Study 2, fish
would be captured at several sites in the Skagit Bay by beach seining.
Naturally-produced juvenile chinook salmon would be marked with a
combination of an external tag and an internal acoustic tag. The NWFSC
does not intend to kill any of the fish being captured in study 2, but
a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities.
Permit 1525
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is requesting a 5-
year research permit to study salmonids in the Lower Willamette River,
Oregon, and in the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the mouth. The
NWFSC is requesting to take juvenile SR spring/summer chinook salmon,
SR fall chinook salmon, SR steelhead, UCR chinook salmon, UCR
steelhead, MCR steelhead, LCR chinook salmon, LCR steelhead, UWR
chinook salmon, UWR steelhead, and CR chum salmon.
The research is currently authorized under Permit 1140, Study 3. If
[[Page 14659]]
authorized, the research will be authorized by this new permit and
removed from Permit 1140. The purposes of the study are to (1)
determine contaminant concentrations in fish, (2) understand
bioaccumulation in juvenile salmon and determine site-specific factors,
(3) analyze for the presence of physiological biomarkers, and (4)
investigate the presence of indicators of exposure to environmental
estrogens. The NWFSC would collect samples with seines or high speed
rope trawls and is asking for authorization to handle juvenile fish and
to intentionally kill some of them for pathogen prevalence and
intensity, biochemical composition, histopathological attributes, and
stomach content analyses.
This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS
will evaluate the application, associated documents, and comments
submitted to determine whether the application meets 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: March 17, 2005.
Marta Nammack,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5752 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
