Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 65474-65476 [E6-18866]
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65474
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 8, 2006 / Notices
priority gear type under the Strategy.
Other gear sections of these reports will
likely be made available at a future date.
State trawl gear reports include,
where available, information on trawl
deployment (e.g., how the gear is
deployed, where in the water column it
fishes, when it is fished seasonally);
target species; number of licensed
vessels/fishermen; landings or effort by
geographical area; recent history,
current status, and projected status of
the fishery; state laws and regulations
relevant to sea turtle bycatch reduction
either directly or indirectly; bycatch
monitoring programs (e.g., observer
coverage); and sea turtle bycatch.
Reports generally include information
from 1999–2004.
NMFS is interested in corrections,
clarifications, additions, or updates to
the information provided in these
reports, especially regarding the
operation or presence of the trawl
fisheries, and/or the interaction of sea
turtles with this gear type. Public review
and comment is sought to ensure that
management decisions are based upon
the best information available.
State trawl reports will be available
for review for a period of 60 days.
Individual trawl gear characterizations
can be downloaded at https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/
trawl.htm or copies may be requested
from Tanya Dobrzynski (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Dated: November 2, 2006.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6–18882 Filed 11–7–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 103106C]
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Take of Anadromous Fish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of applications for
scientific research permits and permit
modifications.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
NMFS has received ten scientific
research permit application requests
relating to Pacific salmon. The proposed
research is intended to increase
knowledge of species listed under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to
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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
December 8, 2006.
ADDRESSES: The applications are
available online at https://
www.nwr.noaa.gov/ESA-SalmonRegulations-Permits/Section–10–
Permits/Scientific-ResearchAuthorizations/Appls-for-Cmnt.cfm.
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 email 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:
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha): threatened lower
Columbia River (LCR), endangered
upper Columbia River (UCR), threatened
Snake River (SR) spring/summer-run,
threatened SR fall-run, threatened Puget
Sound (PS).
Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened
Columbia River (CR), threatened Hood
Canal (HC).
Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened
LCR, threatened middle Columbia River
(MCR), threatened Snake River (SR),
threatened UCR, proposed threatened
PS.
Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened
LCR.
Sockeye salmon (O. nerka):
threatened Ozette Lake (OL).
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 parts 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.
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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 1175—Modification 1
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest
(GPNF) is requesting a 5-year research
permit to take juvenile PS Chinook
salmon, LCR Chinook salmon, LCR coho
salmon, and LCR steelhead. It would
also take juvenile PS steelhead. The
purpose of this research is to determine
fish species presence and distribution,
record fish habitat conditions, and
inventory spawning areas on the GPNF.
The information would be used in
broad-scale analyses (e.g. watershed
analysis) and project-level planning
(e.g., timber sales and habitat restoration
projects). The research would benefit
listed salmonids by providing the GPNF
with information to improve forest
management. Permit 1175 has been in
place for almost 5 years and is due to
expire on December 31, 2006. The GPNF
would observe/harass adult and juvenile
salmonids during spawner and redd
counts, snorkel surveys, and habitat
surveys. The GPNF would also capture
(using backpack electrofishing
equipment or seines), handle, and
release juvenile salmonids. The GPNF
does not intend to kill any fish being
captured, but a small number of fish
may die as an unintentional result of the
research activities.
Permit 1313—Modification 1
Pentec Environmental (Pentec) is
requesting a 4-year research permit to
take Puget Sound Chinook salmon
associated with research to be
conducted in Port Gardner and the
Snohomish River estuary, Washington.
It would also take juvenile PS steelhead.
The purpose of the research is to
monitor juvenile salmonid use of habitat
restoration sites. The habitat restoration
work was conducted by the Port of
Everett in 2002 and monitoring has
continued (under this permit) since
then. Permit 1313 is due to expire on
December 31, 2006. The habitat
restoration projects were designed to
improve salmonid rearing and migration
habitat, and the research would benefit
the fish by helping managers learn the
effectiveness of those measures. Juvenile
salmonids would be captured (using a
floating beach seine), counted,
measured, checked for adipose fin clips,
and released. Pentec does not intend to
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 8, 2006 / Notices
kill any of the fish being captured, but
a small number may die as an
unintended result of the activities.
Permit 1372—Modification 1
The Puget Sound Energy,
Incorporated (PSE) is requesting a 5-year
research permit to take adult and
juvenile PS Chinook salmon. It would
also take juvenile PS steelhead. The
purposes of the research are to (1)
identify the numbers of redds of listed
species in the Skagit River downstream
from its confluence of the Baker River,
(2) identify the timing and distribution
of Chinook salmon spawning in the
middle Skagit River, and (3) collect
tissue samples from bull trout in the
Baker River basin. Adult PS Chinook
would be observed and harassed during
redd counts and spawning surveys. The
research would benefit PS Chinook by
providing resource managers with
information to improve management of
the Baker River Hydroelectric Project.
The Baker River bull trout study would
not target PS Chinook, but juvenile
Chinook may be captured (using
backpack electrofishing equipment),
handled, and released. The PSE does
not intend to kill any of the juvenile fish
being captured, but a small number may
die as an unintended result of the
activities.
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Permit 1386—Modification 2
The Washington State Department of
Ecology (DOE) is requesting a 5-year
research permit to take all fish species
identified in this notice while
conducting research throughout the
State of Washington. It would also take
juvenile PS steelhead. The purpose of
the research is to investigate and
monitor toxic contaminants in fish
tissues and freshwater environments in
Washington. The research is part of the
Washington State Toxics Monitoring
Program. The listed species would
benefit from the development of actions
to control, reduce, and remove toxic
contaminants from Washington State’s
waters. The DOE would capture fish
(using nets, seines, backpack
electrofishing equipment, and hook and
line), handle, and release them. The
DOE does not intend to kill any listed
fish, but a small number may die as an
unintended result of the activities.
Permit 1498—Modification 1
The Port of Bellingham (POB) is
requesting a 1-year research permit to
take juvenile PS Chinook salmon. It
would also take juvenile PS steelhead.
The purpose of the research is to
monitor PS Chinook in newly created
habitat in northern Bellingham Bay,
Washington. As mitigation for dredging
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projects, the POB created that habitat (a
subtidal sediment bench) west of
Squalicum Harbor. Under permit 1498,
the POB has monitored the mitigation
site since 2005, but the permit is due to
expire on December 31, 2006. The
subtidal sediment bench was designed
to improve Chinook salmon rearing
habitat, and the research would benefit
the species by helping managers learn
the effectiveness of these mitigation
measures. Fish would be captured
(using beach seines and enclosure nets),
anesthetized, measured, allowed to
recover from the anesthesia, and
released. The POB 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 1521—Modification 1
Wyllie-Echeverria Associates (WEA)
is requesting a 3-year research permit to
take juvenile PS Chinook salmon. It
would also take juvenile PS steelhead.
The purpose of the research is to
identify which salmonid species and
Chinook salmon stocks use intertidal
beaches and subtidal eelgrass meadows
at representative sites near San Juan,
Orcas, Shaw, Lopez, Jones, and Waldron
Islands, Washington. This research
would benefit PS Chinook by helping
managers set priorities for protecting
nearshore habitats. The WEA proposes
to capture fish with beach seines, toss
nets, and surface tow nets. Captured fish
would be identified, counted, checked
for tags or marks, measured, and
released. Fin-clip samples would be
collected for genetic analysis from an
anesthetized subsample of juvenile PS
Chinook. These anesthetized fish would
be allowed to recover from the
anesthetic before being released. The
WEA 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 1585
The Washington State Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) is requesting a
5-year research permit to take juvenile
PS Chinook and HC chum salmon. It
would also take juvenile PS steelhead.
The purpose of the research is to
determine the presence and distribution
of salmonids on DNR lands in the Puget
Sound basin. The research would
benefit listed salmonids by helping to
improve management decisions. Fish
would be captured (using backpack
electrofishing equipment), handled, and
released. The DNR does not intend to
kill any of the fish being captured, but
a small number my die as an
unintended result of the activities.
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65475
Permit 1586
The Northwest Fisheries Science
Center, Fish Ecology Division (FED) is
requesting a 5-year research permit to
take juvenile PS Chinook and HC chum
salmon. It would also take juvenile PS
steelhead. The purpose of the research
is to characterize how wild, juvenile PS
Chinook salmon use nearshore habitats
in Whidbey Basin, Admiralty Inlet, the
Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the San Juan
Islands. Additional goals are to define
what life history strategies are present in
these areas, and identify their residence
time, distribution, timing of movements,
diet, health, age, and origin. This
research would benefit the listed species
by helping managers develop protection
and restoration strategies and monitor
the effects of recovery actions. Fish
would be captured (using beach seines,
townets, purse seines, and lampera
nets), temporarily held (in live-wells,
mesh pens, aerated buckets, or in the
bag of the net before processing),
separated into salmonids and nonsalmonids, anesthetized, measured,
weighed, checked for tags or marks, finclipped, allowed to recover from
anesthesia, and released. A subsample
of juvenile PS Chinook would be tagged
with acoustic transmitters. A small
portion of the captured juvenile PS
Chinook would be killed for whole body
analysis, but the great majority are not
intended to be sacrificed.
Permit 1587
The U.S. Geological Survey, Western
Fisheries Research Center (USGS) is
requesting a 5-year research permit to
take juvenile PS Chinook salmon. It
would also take juvenile PS steelhead.
The USGS proposes to conduct two
studies: (1) U.S. Geological Survey
Integrated Science Plan to Support
Restoration of Puget Sound Deltas, The
Skagit Delta Whidbey Basin Study; and
(2) Effects of Urbanization of Nearshore
Ecosystems in Puget Sound,
Washington, Pilot Study in an Urban
Embayment. The USGS would conduct
study 2 in the nearshore marine
waterways and inlets of east Kitsap
County. The purpose of the research is
to investigate the effects of urbanization
on nearshore ecosystems. The research
would benefit listed salmonids by
serving as a basis for nearshore marine
and estuarine habitat restoration and
preservation plans. Non-salmonids are
the target species in both studies, but PS
Chinook may be unintentionally
captured. The USGS would capture
(using beach seines, dip nets, or cast
nets, and angling), handle, and release
PS Chinook salmon. The USGS does not
intend to kill any of the PS Chinook
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65476
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 8, 2006 / Notices
being captured, but a small number may
die as an unintended result of the
activities.
Permit 1588
The U.S. Geological Survey, Western
Fisheries Research Center (USGS) is
requesting a 2-year research permit to
take juvenile PS Chinook salmon in the
Lake Washington basin and the south
and central Puget Sound, Washington. It
would also take juvenile PS steelhead.
The purpose of the research is to
develop and use otolith microstructure
analysis to characterize the importance
of lake and estuarine rearing habitats for
Chinook salmon. The research would
benefit PS Chinook by helping managers
prioritize habitat protection and
restoration. The USGS would capture
(using dip nets and beach seines) and
intentionally kill naturally produced
juvenile PS Chinook in the Lake
Washington basin. The USGS will also
obtain and intentionally kill juvenile
listed hatchery fish from multiple
hatchery facilities in the south and
central Puget Sound.
This notice is provided pursuant to
section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will
evaluate the applications, associated
documents, and comments submitted to
determine whether the applications
meet 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: November 2, 2006.
Marta Nammack,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6–18866 Filed 11–7–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration
Digital to Analog Converter Box
Coupon Public Meetings
National Telecommunications
and Information Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce
ACTION: Notice of Meetings
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) announces that
it will be holding individual meetings
with interested parties on November
14–15, 2006 in connection with its
digital-to-analog converter box coupon
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15:11 Nov 07, 2006
Jkt 211001
program described in the July 25, 2006
‘‘Request for Comment and Notice of
Proposed Rules to Implement and
Administer a Coupon Program for
Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes’’
(NPRM). All interested parties are
invited to schedule an individual
meeting.
Dated: November 3, 2006.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications
and Information Administration.
[FR Doc. E6–18828 Filed 11–7–06; 8:45 am]
The meetings will be held on
November 14 and 15, 2006 from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
COMMISSION
DATES:
Meetings will be held at the
U.S. Department of Commerce, National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration, 1401 Constitution
Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC. Room
numbers will be provided to interested
parties when the meeting is scheduled.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Persons interested in scheduling a
meeting should contact Sandra Stewart
at (202) 482–2246.
NTIA is
scheduling meetings to afford interested
parties the opportunity to clarify
comments submitted in response to the
NPRM published by NTIA on July 25,
2006 (71 FR 42,067) regarding the
implementation of a digital-to-analog
converter box coupon program.
Discussions will be limited to those
subjects raised in the NPRM and no
discussions are permitted with respect
to the Request for Information published
by NTIA on July 31, 2006, or other
procurement related issues. These
meetings will be considered ex parte
presentations, and the substance of
these meetings will be placed on the
public record. At least two days after the
meetings, parties should submit a
memorandum to NTIA which
summarizes the substance of the
meetings. Any written presentations
will be placed on the public record.
Individual meetings with interested
parties will be scheduled from 9:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. on November 14 and 15 and
are expected to last no longer than thirty
minutes each. The meetings will be held
at the Department of Commerce,
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration, 1401
Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC, 20230. Parties
interested in scheduling meetings with
NTIA must contact Sandra Stewart at
(202) 482–2246 no later than November
10, 2006.
The meetings will be physically
accessible to people with disabilities.
Individuals requiring special services,
such as sign language interpretation or
other ancillary aids are asked to indicate
this to Sandra Stewart at least two (2)
days prior to the meeting.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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BILLING CODE 3510–60–S
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request—Follow-Up
Activities for Product-Related Injuries
Consumer Product Safety
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: On August 4, 2006, the
Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC or Commission) published a
notice in accordance with provisions of
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) (PRA), to
announce the agency’s intention to seek
approval for a collection of information
obtained from persons who have been
involved in or have witnessed incidents
associated with consumer products. 71
FR 44262. The Commission announces
that it has submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) a
request for an extension of the existing
approval of collections of information
conducted during follow-up activities
for product-related injuries.
The Commission received two
comments. One commentor requests
that the Commission post reports of
problems found with products and act
on the information obtained. This
comment does not weigh against
extension of the current authorization.
Another commentor, the Association of
Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA),
supports the proposed extension and
requests the Commission staff to
continue to use personal interviews as
well as technological data collection to
obtain pertinent information regarding
product-related incidents. ATLA also
requests that the Commission staff
investigate a wider variety of productrelated incidents. Given the large
number of incidents reported involving
consumer products annually, including
NEISS data on hospital emergency room
treated injuries, over 350,000 records
per year, the Commission’s resources
and strategic goals guide the number of
follow-up investigations that are
conducted annually. Although
Commission staff does not conduct
follow-up investigations in every
instance, staff does conduct an
estimated 807 face-to-face interviews,
excluding investigations conducted by
the Office of Compliance and Field
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65474-65476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18866]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 103106C]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of applications for scientific research permits and
permit modifications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received ten scientific
research permit application 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 applications
must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see
ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on December 8,
2006.
ADDRESSES: The applications are available online at https://
www.nwr.noaa.gov/ESA-Salmon-Regulations-Permits/Section-10-Permits/
Scientific-Research-Authorizations/Appls-for-Cmnt.cfm. 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:
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): threatened lower
Columbia River (LCR), endangered upper Columbia River (UCR), threatened
Snake River (SR) spring/summer-run, threatened SR fall-run, threatened
Puget Sound (PS).
Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened Columbia River (CR), threatened
Hood Canal (HC).
Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened LCR, threatened middle Columbia
River (MCR), threatened Snake River (SR), threatened UCR, proposed
threatened PS.
Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened LCR.
Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): threatened Ozette Lake (OL).
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 parts 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 1175--Modification 1
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest (GPNF) is requesting a 5-year
research permit to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon, LCR Chinook salmon,
LCR coho salmon, and LCR steelhead. It would also take juvenile PS
steelhead. The purpose of this research is to determine fish species
presence and distribution, record fish habitat conditions, and
inventory spawning areas on the GPNF. The information would be used in
broad-scale analyses (e.g. watershed analysis) and project-level
planning (e.g., timber sales and habitat restoration projects). The
research would benefit listed salmonids by providing the GPNF with
information to improve forest management. Permit 1175 has been in place
for almost 5 years and is due to expire on December 31, 2006. The GPNF
would observe/harass adult and juvenile salmonids during spawner and
redd counts, snorkel surveys, and habitat surveys. The GPNF would also
capture (using backpack electrofishing equipment or seines), handle,
and release juvenile salmonids. The GPNF does not intend to kill any
fish being captured, but a small number of fish may die as an
unintentional result of the research activities.
Permit 1313--Modification 1
Pentec Environmental (Pentec) is requesting a 4-year research
permit to take Puget Sound Chinook salmon associated with research to
be conducted in Port Gardner and the Snohomish River estuary,
Washington. It would also take juvenile PS steelhead. The purpose of
the research is to monitor juvenile salmonid use of habitat restoration
sites. The habitat restoration work was conducted by the Port of
Everett in 2002 and monitoring has continued (under this permit) since
then. Permit 1313 is due to expire on December 31, 2006. The habitat
restoration projects were designed to improve salmonid rearing and
migration habitat, and the research would benefit the fish by helping
managers learn the effectiveness of those measures. Juvenile salmonids
would be captured (using a floating beach seine), counted, measured,
checked for adipose fin clips, and released. Pentec does not intend to
[[Page 65475]]
kill any of the fish being captured, but a small number may die as an
unintended result of the activities.
Permit 1372--Modification 1
The Puget Sound Energy, Incorporated (PSE) is requesting a 5-year
research permit to take adult and juvenile PS Chinook salmon. It would
also take juvenile PS steelhead. The purposes of the research are to
(1) identify the numbers of redds of listed species in the Skagit River
downstream from its confluence of the Baker River, (2) identify the
timing and distribution of Chinook salmon spawning in the middle Skagit
River, and (3) collect tissue samples from bull trout in the Baker
River basin. Adult PS Chinook would be observed and harassed during
redd counts and spawning surveys. The research would benefit PS Chinook
by providing resource managers with information to improve management
of the Baker River Hydroelectric Project. The Baker River bull trout
study would not target PS Chinook, but juvenile Chinook may be captured
(using backpack electrofishing equipment), handled, and released. The
PSE does not intend to kill any of the juvenile fish being captured,
but a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities.
Permit 1386--Modification 2
The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) is requesting a 5-
year research permit to take all fish species identified in this notice
while conducting research throughout the State of Washington. It would
also take juvenile PS steelhead. The purpose of the research is to
investigate and monitor toxic contaminants in fish tissues and
freshwater environments in Washington. The research is part of the
Washington State Toxics Monitoring Program. The listed species would
benefit from the development of actions to control, reduce, and remove
toxic contaminants from Washington State's waters. The DOE would
capture fish (using nets, seines, backpack electrofishing equipment,
and hook and line), handle, and release them. The DOE does not intend
to kill any listed fish, but a small number may die as an unintended
result of the activities.
Permit 1498--Modification 1
The Port of Bellingham (POB) is requesting a 1-year research permit
to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon. It would also take juvenile PS
steelhead. The purpose of the research is to monitor PS Chinook in
newly created habitat in northern Bellingham Bay, Washington. As
mitigation for dredging projects, the POB created that habitat (a
subtidal sediment bench) west of Squalicum Harbor. Under permit 1498,
the POB has monitored the mitigation site since 2005, but the permit is
due to expire on December 31, 2006. The subtidal sediment bench was
designed to improve Chinook salmon rearing habitat, and the research
would benefit the species by helping managers learn the effectiveness
of these mitigation measures. Fish would be captured (using beach
seines and enclosure nets), anesthetized, measured, allowed to recover
from the anesthesia, and released. The POB 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 1521--Modification 1
Wyllie-Echeverria Associates (WEA) is requesting a 3-year research
permit to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon. It would also take juvenile
PS steelhead. The purpose of the research is to identify which salmonid
species and Chinook salmon stocks use intertidal beaches and subtidal
eelgrass meadows at representative sites near San Juan, Orcas, Shaw,
Lopez, Jones, and Waldron Islands, Washington. This research would
benefit PS Chinook by helping managers set priorities for protecting
nearshore habitats. The WEA proposes to capture fish with beach seines,
toss nets, and surface tow nets. Captured fish would be identified,
counted, checked for tags or marks, measured, and released. Fin-clip
samples would be collected for genetic analysis from an anesthetized
subsample of juvenile PS Chinook. These anesthetized fish would be
allowed to recover from the anesthetic before being released. The WEA
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 1585
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is
requesting a 5-year research permit to take juvenile PS Chinook and HC
chum salmon. It would also take juvenile PS steelhead. The purpose of
the research is to determine the presence and distribution of salmonids
on DNR lands in the Puget Sound basin. The research would benefit
listed salmonids by helping to improve management decisions. Fish would
be captured (using backpack electrofishing equipment), handled, and
released. The DNR does not intend to kill any of the fish being
captured, but a small number my die as an unintended result of the
activities.
Permit 1586
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Fish Ecology Division (FED)
is requesting a 5-year research permit to take juvenile PS Chinook and
HC chum salmon. It would also take juvenile PS steelhead. The purpose
of the research is to characterize how wild, juvenile PS Chinook salmon
use nearshore habitats in Whidbey Basin, Admiralty Inlet, the Strait of
Juan de Fuca, and the San Juan Islands. Additional goals are to define
what life history strategies are present in these areas, and identify
their residence time, distribution, timing of movements, diet, health,
age, and origin. This research would benefit the listed species by
helping managers develop protection and restoration strategies and
monitor the effects of recovery actions. Fish would be captured (using
beach seines, townets, purse seines, and lampera nets), temporarily
held (in live-wells, mesh pens, aerated buckets, or in the bag of the
net before processing), separated into salmonids and non-salmonids,
anesthetized, measured, weighed, checked for tags or marks, fin-
clipped, allowed to recover from anesthesia, and released. A subsample
of juvenile PS Chinook would be tagged with acoustic transmitters. A
small portion of the captured juvenile PS Chinook would be killed for
whole body analysis, but the great majority are not intended to be
sacrificed.
Permit 1587
The U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center
(USGS) is requesting a 5-year research permit to take juvenile PS
Chinook salmon. It would also take juvenile PS steelhead. The USGS
proposes to conduct two studies: (1) U.S. Geological Survey Integrated
Science Plan to Support Restoration of Puget Sound Deltas, The Skagit
Delta Whidbey Basin Study; and (2) Effects of Urbanization of Nearshore
Ecosystems in Puget Sound, Washington, Pilot Study in an Urban
Embayment. The USGS would conduct study 2 in the nearshore marine
waterways and inlets of east Kitsap County. The purpose of the research
is to investigate the effects of urbanization on nearshore ecosystems.
The research would benefit listed salmonids by serving as a basis for
nearshore marine and estuarine habitat restoration and preservation
plans. Non-salmonids are the target species in both studies, but PS
Chinook may be unintentionally captured. The USGS would capture (using
beach seines, dip nets, or cast nets, and angling), handle, and release
PS Chinook salmon. The USGS does not intend to kill any of the PS
Chinook
[[Page 65476]]
being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of
the activities.
Permit 1588
The U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center
(USGS) is requesting a 2-year research permit to take juvenile PS
Chinook salmon in the Lake Washington basin and the south and central
Puget Sound, Washington. It would also take juvenile PS steelhead. The
purpose of the research is to develop and use otolith microstructure
analysis to characterize the importance of lake and estuarine rearing
habitats for Chinook salmon. The research would benefit PS Chinook by
helping managers prioritize habitat protection and restoration. The
USGS would capture (using dip nets and beach seines) and intentionally
kill naturally produced juvenile PS Chinook in the Lake Washington
basin. The USGS will also obtain and intentionally kill juvenile listed
hatchery fish from multiple hatchery facilities in the south and
central Puget Sound.
This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS
will evaluate the applications, associated documents, and comments
submitted to determine whether the applications meet 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: November 2, 2006.
Marta Nammack,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18866 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
