Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding for a Petition To List the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale as an Endangered Species, 44614-44615 [E6-12754]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 151 / Monday, August 7, 2006 / Notices
VII. In accordance with Section
766.23(c), Khan and Pakland may file an
appeal with the Administrative Law
Judge.
VIII. A copy of this Order shall be
delivered to Karni and the Related
Persons. This Order shall be published
in the Federal Register.
Dated: August 1, 2006.
Eileen M. Albanese,
Director, Office of Exporter Services.
[FR Doc. 06–6716 Filed 8–4–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DT–M
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 071306I ]
Endangered Species; Permit Nos.
1579, 1555, and 1545
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; Issuance of permits.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
the following groups have been issued
scientific research or enhancement
permits to take shortnose sturgeon
(Acipenser brevirostrum):
Alden Research Laboratory, Inc.
(Edward P. Taft, Responsible Party), 30
Shrewsbury Street, Holden, MA 01520
(Permit No. 1579);
David J. Stier, Springfield Science
Museum, 220 State Street, Springfield,
MA 01103 (Permit No. 1555); and
North Carolina Zoological Park (John
D. Groves, Principal Investigator), 4401
Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205
(Permit No. 1545).
ADDRESSES: The permit and related
documents are available for review
upon written request or by appointment
in the following offices:
All documents: Permits, Conservation
and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 EastWest Highway, Room 13705, Silver
Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713–
2289; fax (301)427–2521;
For Permit Nos. 1579 and 1555:
Northeast Region, NMFS, One
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930–2298; phone (978)281–9328; fax
(978)281–9394; and
For Permit No. 1545: Southeast
Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone
(727)824–5312; fax (727)824–5309.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate
Swails or Jennifer Skidmore at
(301)713–2289.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:19 Aug 04, 2006
Jkt 208001
The
requested permits have 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. 1579: On May 26, 2006,
notice was published in the Federal
Register (71 FR 30385) that a request for
a scientific research permit to take
shortnose sturgeon had been submitted
by Alden Research Laboratory, Inc.
Alden will perform research on
entrainment and impingement rates for
selected bar rack and bypass
configurations in attempt to identify
design criteria for a downstream passage
facility at the Hadley Falls Hydroelectric
Project on the Connecticut River. The
applicant will use captive-bred sturgeon
and all testing will take place in the
Alden Lab testing flume. During the first
year of the permit up to 70 sturgeon will
be transported from hatcheries,
measured, handled, Passive Integrated
Transponder tagged, and participate in
the flume testing. During the remaining
four years up to 200 sturgeon will
participate in the study annually. At the
end of the five-year study the sturgeon
will be sacrificed.
Permit Nos. 1555 and 1545: On
November 4, 2005 and November 10,
2005, notice was published in the
Federal Register (70 FR 67141 and 70
FR 68398) that requests for
enhancement permits to take shortnose
sturgeon had been submitted by David
Steir and the North Carolina Zoological
Park (John D. Groves, Principal
Investigator), respectively. Mr. Steir will
obtain and use five captive-bred, nonreleaseable juvenile shortnose sturgeon
from the Silvio O. Conte Anadramous
Fish Research Center in Turners Falls,
MA. The North Carolina Zoological Park
will use ten captive-bred, nonreleaseable shortnose sturgeon from the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Warm
Springs National Fish Hatchery for the
purposes of educational display. The
proposed projects to display endangered
cultured shortnose sturgeon respond
directly to a recommendation from the
NMFS recovery plan outline for this
species. These sturgeon displays will be
used to increase public awareness of the
shortnose sturgeon and its status. The
proposed projects will educate the
public on shortnose sturgeon life history
and the reasons for the species decline.
The permits are issued for 5 years.
Issuance of these permits, as required
by the ESA, was based on a finding that
these permits (1) Were applied for in
good faith, (2) will not operate to the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Fmt 4703
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disadvantage of such endangered or
threatened species, and (3) are
consistent with the purposes and
policies set forth in section 2 of the
ESA.
Dated: August 1, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6–12755 Filed 8–4–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[Docket No. 060725202–6202✖ I.D. No.
072006D]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife;
90–Day Finding for a Petition To List
the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale as an
Endangered Species
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration,
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of 90–day petition
finding.
AGENCY:
We (NMFS) announce a 90–
day finding on a petition to list the Cook
Inlet beluga whale as an endangered
species under the Endangered Species
Act (ESA). We find that the petition
presents substantial scientific or
commercial information indicating that
the petitioned action may be warranted.
DATES: The finding announced in this
document was made on August 7, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the
petition should be addressed to NMFS,
Protected Resources Division, 709 West
9th Street, Box 21668, Juneau, AK
99802–1668. The petition may also be
viewed on our Web site at https://
www.fakr.noaa.gov/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad
Smith, NMFS, 222 West 7th Avenue,
Anchorage, AK 99517, telephone (907)
271–5006, fax (907) 271–3030; Kaja
Brix, NMFS, (907)586–7235, fax (907)
586–7012; or Marta Nammack, NMFS,
(301)713ndash;1401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April
20, 2006, we received a petition from
Trustees For Alaska to list the Cook
Inlet beluga whale as endangered under
the ESA. Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA
requires, to the maximum extent
practicable, that within 90 days of
receipt of a petition to designate a
species as threatened or endangered, the
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) make
a finding on whether that petition
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM
07AUN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
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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17:19 Aug 04, 2006
Jkt 208001
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
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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:
E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM
07AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 151 (Monday, August 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44614-44615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12754]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 060725202-6202[ndash:01] I.D. No. 072006D]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding for a Petition
To List the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale as an Endangered Species
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition finding.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We (NMFS) announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the
Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition presents substantial
scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned
action may be warranted.
DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on August 7,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the petition should be addressed to
NMFS, Protected Resources Division, 709 West 9th Street, Box 21668,
Juneau, AK 99802-1668. The petition may also be viewed on our Web site
at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Smith, NMFS, 222 West 7th Avenue,
Anchorage, AK 99517, telephone (907) 271-5006, fax (907) 271-3030; Kaja
Brix, NMFS, (907)586-7235, fax (907) 586-7012; or Marta Nammack, NMFS,
(301)713ndash;1401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 20, 2006, we received a petition
from Trustees For Alaska to list the Cook Inlet beluga whale as
endangered under the ESA. Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA requires, to
the maximum extent practicable, that within 90 days of receipt of a
petition to designate a species as threatened or endangered, the
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) make a finding on whether that
petition
[[Page 44615]]
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 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 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
