Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 44615-44617 [E6-12751]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 151 / Monday, August 7, 2006 / Notices
presents substantial scientific or
commercial information indicating that
the petitioned action may be warranted.
That finding is to be published
promptly in the Federal Register.
In determining whether a petition
contains substantial information, we
consider information submitted with
and referenced in the petition and all
other information readily available in
our files. We do not conduct additional
research at this point, and we subject
the petition to critical review. Our ESA
implementing regulations at 50 CFR
424.14(b)(1) define ≥substantial
information≥ as the amount of
information that would lead a
reasonable person to believe that the
measure proposed in the petition may
be warranted. If the petition is found to
present such information, the Secretary
must conduct a status review of the
involved species. In making a finding on
a petition to list a species, the Secretary
must consider whether such a petition
(i) clearly indicates the administrative
measure recommended and gives the
scientific and any common name of the
species involved; (ii) contains detailed
narrative justification for the
recommended measure, describing,
based on available information, past and
present numbers and distribution of the
species involved and any threats faced
by the species; (iii) provides information
regarding the status of the species over
all or a significant portion of its range;
and (iv) is accompanied by the
appropriate supporting documentation
in the form of bibliographic references,
reprints of pertinent publications,
copies of reports or letters from
authorities, and maps (50 CFR
424.14(b)(2)).
The petition submitted by Trustees for
Alaska presents substantial evidence in
support of their request. The petition
states the Cook Inlet population of
beluga whales is a ‘‘species’’ under the
definition of the ESA, and that NMFS in
June 2000 wrote that the Cook Inlet
population of beluga whales qualifies as
a Distinct Population Segment (DPS,
which is a species under the ESA) under
the joint NMFS/U.S. Fish and Wildlife
policy on the Recognition of Distinct
Vertebrate Population Segments under
the ESA (61 FR 4722; February 7, 1996).
This policy states that a population can
be considered a DPS if it is discrete from
other conspecific populations and if it is
significant to the taxon to which it
belongs. The petitioner provides genetic
and geographic information to support
that the Cook Inlet beluga whale is
discrete from other beluga whale
populations, as well as rationale for why
this population is also significant to the
beluga whale species. It is the
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petitioner’s contention that the Cook
Inlet beluga whale is in danger of
extinction throughout its range, and,
therefore, is an endangered species as
defined under 16 U.S.C. 1532(6). The
petition presents information on the
abundance, demographics, and
distribution of the Cook Inlet beluga
whales, as well as a discussion of the
applicability of the ESA section 4(a)(1)
factors found at 16 U.S.C. 1533(a).
We evaluated whether the
information provided or cited in the
petition met the ESA’s standard for
‘‘substantial information.’’ After
reviewing the information contained in
the petition, as described above, as well
as other scientific information readily
available, we have determined that the
petition presents substantial scientific
information indicating that the
petitioned action may be warranted.
We initiated a status review on March
29, 2006 (71 FR 14836), prior to
receiving the petition. A status review is
an evaluation of the available
information about the biological
vulnerability of a species, subspecies, or
DPS. Information considered during a
status review includes demographic
information such as abundance,
reproductive success, age structure, and
distribution, and information provided
in a petition for listing. A status review
considers both historical and recent
trends in these parameters, to the extent
that this information is available. The
status review must also evaluate current
and potential threats facing the species
and ongoing efforts to protect the
species, subspecies, or DPS. We
solicited information from the public to
help us in evaluating the status of the
Cook Inlet beluga whale when we
announced the initiation of the status
review (71 FR 14836; March 24, 2006).
Upon completion of the status review,
and within 12 months of the petition,
we must make one of the following
findings: (1) The petitioned action is not
warranted, in which case the Secretary
shall promptly publish such finding in
the Federal Register and so notify the
petitioner; (2) the petitioned action is
warranted, in which case the Secretary
shall promptly publish in the Federal
Register a proposed regulation to
implement the action pursuant to 50
CFR 424.16; or (3) the petitioned action
is warranted, but that (A) the immediate
proposal and timely promulgation of a
regulation to implement the petitioned
action is precluded because of other
pending proposals to list, delist, or
reclassify species, and (B) expeditious
progress is being made to list, delist, or
reclassify qualified species, in which
case such findings shall be promptly
published in the Federal Register
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44615
together with a description and
evaluation of the reasons and data on
which the finding is based.
Authority
The authority for this action is the
ESA, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.).
Dated: August 1, 2006.
William Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6–12754 Filed 8–4–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 080106B]
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Take of Anadromous Fish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Applications for seven
scientific research permits (1135, 1290,
1318, 1322, 1330, 1333, 1461).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
NMFS has received seven scientific
research permit application requests
relating to Pacific salmonids. 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 applications must
be received at the appropriate address or
fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later
than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on
September 6, 2006.
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 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
from the address above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Species Covered in This Notice
The following listed species are
covered in this notice:
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 151 / Monday, August 7, 2006 / Notices
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha): threatened lower
Columbia River (LCR), threatened upper
Willamette River (UWR), threatened
Snake River (SR) fall, threatened SR
spring/summer, endangered upper
Columbia River (UCR).
Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened
Columbia River.
Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened
LCR, threatened UWR, threatened UCR,
threatened SR, threatened middle
Columbia River.
Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened
LCR.
Sockeye salmon (O. nerka):
endangered SR.
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.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Applications Received
Permit 1135
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) is
requesting a 5–year research permit to
take adult and juvenile LCR steelhead.
The purpose of this study is to collect
information on the survival, growth,
habitat use, population density, health,
and life-histories of steelhead in the
Wind River subbasin of southern
Washington. The research would
provide information to help state, tribal,
and Federal managers in their efforts to
restore LCR steelhead populations and
habitats. Permit 1135 has been in place
for almost five years and is due to expire
on December 31, 2006. Adult and
juvenile LCR steelhead would be
observed/harassed during snorkel and
habitat surveys. Juvenile LCR steelhead
would be collected (using backpack
electrofishers, minnow traps, angling,
seines, and weir traps), anesthetized,
sampled for biological data (length,
weight, disease status) and tissues/
scales. The fish would then be allowed
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to recover from the anesthesia and
released. In addition, some juvenile LCR
steelhead would be tagged with passive
integrated transponders (PIT-tags), some
would be killed for pathological
analyses, and a few more may die as an
unintended result of the research.
Permit 1290
The Northwest Fisheries Science
Center (NWFSC) is requesting a 5–year
research permit that would allow them
to take all fish species covered in this
notice while conducting research in the
Columbia River estuary. The purposes
of the research are to determine the
prevalence and intensity of pathogens in
juvenile salmonids and investigate the
relationship between forage fish
populations in the estuary and salmonid
survival. The research would benefit the
fish by contributing information on (1)
the extent to which diseases affect
juvenile salmonid growth and survival
in the estuarine and early ocean
environments and (2) the relationship
between forage fish abundance and
salmonid survival in the estuary and
marine environments. If the researchers
cannot obtain enough fish samples from
the Columbia River estuary, they ask to
collect fish at the juvenile bypass
facility at Bonneville Dam. Permit 1290
has been in place for almost five years
and is due to expire on December 31,
2006. Juvenile salmonids would be
variously collected (using beach and
purse seines), anesthetized, weighed,
scanned for tags, fin clipped, sampled
for stomach contents, allowed to recover
from the anesthesia, and released. Not
all fish would undergo all these
procedures, but all would be
anesthetized. In addition, some juvenile
salmonids would be killed for
pathological analyses, and a few more
may die as an unintended result of the
research.
Permit 1318
The Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife (ODFW) is requesting a 5–year
research permit that would allow them
to take all fish species covered in this
notice while conducting research in the
Deschutes, Willamette, and Columbia
Rivers in Oregon. The application
contains six projects: (1) Warm water
fish management surveys; (2)
investigations of natural production of
spring Chinook salmon in the Mohawk
River subbasin; (3) genetic
characterization of rainbow trout in the
Upper Willamette System; (4) fish
abundance, population status, genetics
and disease surveys in the Upper
Willamette Basin; (5) native rainbow
and cutthroat trout surveys for
abundance, size composition, and
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migration patterns in the mainstem
McKenzie River; and (6) resident
redband population estimates in the
Deschutes River. The research would
benefit the fish by providing
information on fish population
structure, abundance, genetics, disease
occurrences, and species interactions.
That information would be used to
direct management actions to benefit
listed species. Permit 1318 has been in
place for almost five years and is due to
expire on December 31, 2006. Juvenile
salmonids would be collected (using
boat electrofishing). Some fish would be
anesthetized, sampled for length and
weight, allowed to recover from the
anesthesia, and released. Most
salmonids would only be shocked and
allowed to swim away, or be netted and
released immediately. The ODFW does
not intend to kill any of the fish being
captured, but a small number may die
as an unintended result of the activities.
Permit 1322
The NWFSC is requesting a 5–year
research permit that would allow them
to take all fish species covered in this
notice while conducting research in the
estuary and lower Columbia River. The
objectives of the research are to (1)
determine the presence and abundance
of fall and spring Chinook, coho, and
chum salmon in the estuary and lower
Columbia River; (2) examine the
relationship between juvenile salmon
and lower Columbia River estuarine
habitat; and (3) obtain information about
flow change, sediment input, and
habitat availability withe goal of
developing a numerical model of the
fishes’ survival. The research would
benefit listed salmonids by serving as a
basis for estuarine restoration and
preservation plans. Permit 1322 has
been in place for almost five years and
is due to expire on December 31, 2006.
Juvenile salmonids would be collected
(using trap nets, beach seines, and purse
seines), anesthetized, measured,
sampled for tissues, allowed to recover
from the anesthesia, and released. Some
juvenile salmonids would be killed to
confirm species identification, catch
composition, food habits, and timing of
estuarine entry. A few more may die as
an unintended result of the research.
Permit 1330
The Weyerhaeuser Company (Weyco)
is requesting a 5–year research permit to
take juvenile LCR Chinook salmon, LCR
coho salmon, and LCR steelhead during
the course of research to be conducted
in the Toutle River and on lands owned
by Weyco around Mt. St. Helens in
Washington. The purposes of the
research are to determine fish
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 151 / Monday, August 7, 2006 / Notices
abundance and distribution in the North
Fork Toutle River and monitor juvenile
salmonids in watersheds affected by the
1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. The
information collected would be used to
help develop and implement effective
forest management practices and
regulations. The research would benefit
listed species by contributing
information that would help Weyco
maintain high quality habitat and
develop recovery plans for listed
species. Permit 1330 has been in place
for almost five years and is due to expire
on December 31, 2006. Weyco proposes
to capture fish using backpack
electrofishing, measure, and release
them. They does not intend to kill any
of the fish being captured, but a small
number may die as an unintended result
of the activities.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Permit 1333
The Oregon State University (OSU)
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is
requesting a 5–year research permit to
take adult and juvenile UWR Chinook
and steelhead during the course of
research designed to evaluate floodplain
and riparian restoration activities, test
the effectiveness of new assessment
tools for conservation planning, and
improve aquatic habitat. The study
would benefit listed salmonids by
helping determine what actions are
needed to restore ecological processes in
salmon and steelhead habitat. Permit
1333 has been in place for almost five
years and is due to expire on December
31, 2006. The OSU proposes to capture
(using boat electrofishing), measure,
examine for abnormalities, and release
juvenile fish. Adult fish may be
encountered but would not be netted.
The OSU does not intend to kill any of
the fish being captured, but a few may
die as an unintended result of the
activities.
Permit 1461
The USGS is requesting a 5–year
research permit that would allow them
to take all fish species covered in this
notice while conducting research at
Crims Island and the Julia Butler
Hanson National Wildlife Refuge in the
lower Columbia River. The purpose of
the research is to determine fish species
composition, habitat use, and salmon
diet composition in the areas sampled.
The data gathered would be used to
guide and determine the effectiveness of
habitat restoration activities in the lower
Columbia River. The species would
benefit from well-planned and
monitored habitat restoration activities
as well as (ultimately) the restored
habitat itself. Permit 1461 has been in
place since 2004; the USGS is
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requesting that the permit be issued for
an additional five years. Juvenile
salmonids would be collected (using
beach seines, Fyke nets, backpack
electrofishing, and boat electrofishing),
and variously anesthetized, measured
for length and weight, sampled for
stomach contents and scales, marked
(using fluorescent elastomers, Pan-jet
needle-less inocculators, or batchmarked with a flourochrome dye), PITtagged, allowed to recover from the
anesthesia, and released. Not all fish
would undergo all these procedures, but
all would be anesthetized. The USGS
does not intend to kill any fish, but a
small number may die as an unintended
result of the activities.
This notice is provided pursuant to
section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will
evaluate the 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: August 1, 2006.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6–12751 Filed 8–4–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 072506A]
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Take of Anadromous Fish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Issuance of scientific research
permits.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
NMFS has issued Permit 1047 Modification 1 to Marin Municipal
Water District (MMWD) in Corte
Madera, CA; Permit 1079 - Modification
2 to Campbell Timberland Management,
LLC. (CTM) in Fort Bragg, CA; Permit
1162 - Modification 3 to Salmon
Protection and Watershed Network
(SPAWN) in Forest Knolls, CA; and
Permit 1181 - Modification 1 to
Mendocino Redwood Company, LLC.
(MRC) in Fort Bragg, CA.
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44617
The applications, permits,
and related documents are available for
review by appointment at: Protected
Resources Division, NMFS, 777 Sonoma
Avenue, Room 315, Santa Rosa, CA
95404 (ph: 707–575–6097, fax: 707–
578–3435, e-mail:
Jeffrey.Jahn@noaa.gov).
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffrey Jahn at phone number 707–575–
6097, or e-mail: Jeffrey.Jahn@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority
Issuance of permits and permit
modifications, as required by the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531–1543) (ESA), is based on a
finding that such permits/modifications:
(1) are 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. Authority to take listed species is
subject to conditions set forth in the
permits. Permits and modifications are
issued in accordance with and are
subject to the ESA and NMFS
regulations governing listed fish and
wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222–226).
Species Covered in This Notice
This notice is relevant to federally
threatened Southern Oregon/Northern
California Coast coho salmon
(Oncorhynchus kisutch), endangered
Central California Coast coho salmon
(O. kisutch), threatened California
Coastal Chinook salmon (O.
tshawytscha), threatened Northern
California steelhead (O. mykiss), and
threatened Central California Coast
steelhead (O. mykiss).
Permits Issued
Permit 1047 - Modification 1 was
issued to MMWD on July 11, 2006,
authorizing capture (by electrofishing or
rotary screw trap), handling, sampling
(by collection of scales or fin clips),
marking (using fin clips or fin dye), and
release of juvenile Central California
Coast coho salmon, California Coastal
Chinook salmon, and Central California
Coast steelhead. Permit 1047
Modification 1 also authorizes MMWD
to capture, handle, sample (by
collection of scales, fin clips, or other
tissue), mark, and release adult
carcasses of Central California Coast
coho salmon, California Coastal
Chinook salmon, and Central California
Coast steelhead. Permit 1047 Modification 1 is for research to be
conducted in the Walker Creek and
Lagunitas Creek watersheds in Marin
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 151 (Monday, August 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44615-44617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12751]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 080106B]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Applications for seven scientific research permits (1135,
1290, 1318, 1322, 1330, 1333, 1461).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received seven
scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific
salmonids. 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 applications
must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see
ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on September 6,
2006.
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 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 from the address above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Species Covered in This Notice
The following listed species are covered in this notice:
[[Page 44616]]
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): threatened lower
Columbia River (LCR), threatened upper Willamette River (UWR),
threatened Snake River (SR) fall, threatened SR spring/summer,
endangered upper Columbia River (UCR).
Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened Columbia River.
Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened LCR, threatened UWR, threatened
UCR, threatened SR, threatened middle Columbia River.
Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened LCR.
Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): endangered SR.
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 1135
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) is requesting a 5-year research
permit to take adult and juvenile LCR steelhead. The purpose of this
study is to collect information on the survival, growth, habitat use,
population density, health, and life-histories of steelhead in the Wind
River subbasin of southern Washington. The research would provide
information to help state, tribal, and Federal managers in their
efforts to restore LCR steelhead populations and habitats. Permit 1135
has been in place for almost five years and is due to expire on
December 31, 2006. Adult and juvenile LCR steelhead would be observed/
harassed during snorkel and habitat surveys. Juvenile LCR steelhead
would be collected (using backpack electrofishers, minnow traps,
angling, seines, and weir traps), anesthetized, sampled for biological
data (length, weight, disease status) and tissues/scales. The fish
would then be allowed to recover from the anesthesia and released. In
addition, some juvenile LCR steelhead would be tagged with passive
integrated transponders (PIT-tags), some would be killed for
pathological analyses, and a few more may die as an unintended result
of the research.
Permit 1290
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is requesting a 5-
year research permit that would allow them to take all fish species
covered in this notice while conducting research in the Columbia River
estuary. The purposes of the research are to determine the prevalence
and intensity of pathogens in juvenile salmonids and investigate the
relationship between forage fish populations in the estuary and
salmonid survival. The research would benefit the fish by contributing
information on (1) the extent to which diseases affect juvenile
salmonid growth and survival in the estuarine and early ocean
environments and (2) the relationship between forage fish abundance and
salmonid survival in the estuary and marine environments. If the
researchers cannot obtain enough fish samples from the Columbia River
estuary, they ask to collect fish at the juvenile bypass facility at
Bonneville Dam. Permit 1290 has been in place for almost five years and
is due to expire on December 31, 2006. Juvenile salmonids would be
variously collected (using beach and purse seines), anesthetized,
weighed, scanned for tags, fin clipped, sampled for stomach contents,
allowed to recover from the anesthesia, and released. Not all fish
would undergo all these procedures, but all would be anesthetized. In
addition, some juvenile salmonids would be killed for pathological
analyses, and a few more may die as an unintended result of the
research.
Permit 1318
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is requesting a
5-year research permit that would allow them to take all fish species
covered in this notice while conducting research in the Deschutes,
Willamette, and Columbia Rivers in Oregon. The application contains six
projects: (1) Warm water fish management surveys; (2) investigations of
natural production of spring Chinook salmon in the Mohawk River
subbasin; (3) genetic characterization of rainbow trout in the Upper
Willamette System; (4) fish abundance, population status, genetics and
disease surveys in the Upper Willamette Basin; (5) native rainbow and
cutthroat trout surveys for abundance, size composition, and migration
patterns in the mainstem McKenzie River; and (6) resident redband
population estimates in the Deschutes River. The research would benefit
the fish by providing information on fish population structure,
abundance, genetics, disease occurrences, and species interactions.
That information would be used to direct management actions to benefit
listed species. Permit 1318 has been in place for almost five years and
is due to expire on December 31, 2006. Juvenile salmonids would be
collected (using boat electrofishing). Some fish would be anesthetized,
sampled for length and weight, allowed to recover from the anesthesia,
and released. Most salmonids would only be shocked and allowed to swim
away, or be netted and released immediately. The ODFW does not intend
to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small number may die as
an unintended result of the activities.
Permit 1322
The NWFSC is requesting a 5-year research permit that would allow
them to take all fish species covered in this notice while conducting
research in the estuary and lower Columbia River. The objectives of the
research are to (1) determine the presence and abundance of fall and
spring Chinook, coho, and chum salmon in the estuary and lower Columbia
River; (2) examine the relationship between juvenile salmon and lower
Columbia River estuarine habitat; and (3) obtain information about flow
change, sediment input, and habitat availability withe goal of
developing a numerical model of the fishes' survival. The research
would benefit listed salmonids by serving as a basis for estuarine
restoration and preservation plans. Permit 1322 has been in place for
almost five years and is due to expire on December 31, 2006. Juvenile
salmonids would be collected (using trap nets, beach seines, and purse
seines), anesthetized, measured, sampled for tissues, allowed to
recover from the anesthesia, and released. Some juvenile salmonids
would be killed to confirm species identification, catch composition,
food habits, and timing of estuarine entry. A few more may die as an
unintended result of the research.
Permit 1330
The Weyerhaeuser Company (Weyco) is requesting a 5-year research
permit to take juvenile LCR Chinook salmon, LCR coho salmon, and LCR
steelhead during the course of research to be conducted in the Toutle
River and on lands owned by Weyco around Mt. St. Helens in Washington.
The purposes of the research are to determine fish
[[Page 44617]]
abundance and distribution in the North Fork Toutle River and monitor
juvenile salmonids in watersheds affected by the 1980 eruption of Mt.
St. Helens. The information collected would be used to help develop and
implement effective forest management practices and regulations. The
research would benefit listed species by contributing information that
would help Weyco maintain high quality habitat and develop recovery
plans for listed species. Permit 1330 has been in place for almost five
years and is due to expire on December 31, 2006. Weyco proposes to
capture fish using backpack electrofishing, measure, and release them.
They does not intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a
small number may die as an unintended result of the activities.
Permit 1333
The Oregon State University (OSU) Department of Fisheries and
Wildlife is requesting a 5-year research permit to take adult and
juvenile UWR Chinook and steelhead during the course of research
designed to evaluate floodplain and riparian restoration activities,
test the effectiveness of new assessment tools for conservation
planning, and improve aquatic habitat. The study would benefit listed
salmonids by helping determine what actions are needed to restore
ecological processes in salmon and steelhead habitat. Permit 1333 has
been in place for almost five years and is due to expire on December
31, 2006. The OSU proposes to capture (using boat electrofishing),
measure, examine for abnormalities, and release juvenile fish. Adult
fish may be encountered but would not be netted. The OSU does not
intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a few may die as an
unintended result of the activities.
Permit 1461
The USGS is requesting a 5-year research permit that would allow
them to take all fish species covered in this notice while conducting
research at Crims Island and the Julia Butler Hanson National Wildlife
Refuge in the lower Columbia River. The purpose of the research is to
determine fish species composition, habitat use, and salmon diet
composition in the areas sampled. The data gathered would be used to
guide and determine the effectiveness of habitat restoration activities
in the lower Columbia River. The species would benefit from well-
planned and monitored habitat restoration activities as well as
(ultimately) the restored habitat itself. Permit 1461 has been in place
since 2004; the USGS is requesting that the permit be issued for an
additional five years. Juvenile salmonids would be collected (using
beach seines, Fyke nets, backpack electrofishing, and boat
electrofishing), and variously anesthetized, measured for length and
weight, sampled for stomach contents and scales, marked (using
fluorescent elastomers, Pan-jet needle-less inocculators, or batch-
marked with a flourochrome dye), PIT-tagged, allowed to recover from
the anesthesia, and released. Not all fish would undergo all these
procedures, but all would be anesthetized. The USGS does not intend to
kill any fish, but a small number may die as an unintended result of
the activities.
This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS
will evaluate the 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: August 1, 2006.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-12751 Filed 8-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
