Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 23844-23845 [E9-11943]

Download as PDF dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES 23844 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 97 / Thursday, May 21, 2009 / Notices survey, 4 minutes; saltwater angler fishing diary, 30 minutes. Needs and Uses: This requested revision will address the National Research Council’s (NRC) concerns regarding potential telephone coverage error by testing the effectiveness of mail screening surveys for contacting anglers and collecting recreational fishing data. Like current telephone surveys, mail surveys will target licensed anglers (state license databases), as well as random households within coastal states (United States Post Office (USPS), Delivery Sequence File (DSF)). It is expected that mail survey frames will provide more complete coverage of angling populations than telephone survey frames because anglers are required to provide an address and/or present a valid driver’s license when purchasing a saltwater fishing license, and the DSF can provide a complete frame of residential addresses within the United States. The proposed mail survey will run concurrently with ongoing telephone surveys for benchmarking purposes, as well as to allow direct comparisons between the two methodologies. The NRC also identified potential problems with on-site surveys, which collect catch information at the conclusion of recreational fishing trips. Generally, these surveys are conducted by trained interviewers at publicly accessible fishing sites such as public piers, beaches, marinas and boat ramps. Because the coverage of onsite surveys is limited to public-access sites, estimates of total catch rely on assumptions about the behavior and success of anglers who access the water from private-access sites such as private residences, community beaches, marinas and docks, and private yacht clubs. To address these additional concerns, respondents to the effort survey/ screener questionnaire will be sent a survey packet for the angler diary survey. Combining the two objectives into a single data collection effort will help minimize respondent burden. The collection of these data is necessary to fulfill statutory requirements of section 303 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1853 et seq.) as amended (MSA) and to comply with Executive Order 12962 on Recreational Fisheries. Section 303(a) of the MSA specifies data and analyses to be included in Fishery Management Plans (FMP), as well as pertinent data that shall be submitted to the Secretary of Commerce under the plan. Affected Public: Individuals or households. VerDate Nov<24>2008 13:08 May 20, 2009 Jkt 217001 Frequency: On occasion. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, (202) 395–3897. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, FAX number (202) 395–7285, or David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov. Dated: May 18, 2009. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E9–11901 Filed 5–20–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XP38 Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Application for one scientific research permit modification. Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received one scientific research permit application request 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. The application may be viewed on the NMFS website at https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/ preview_open_for_comment.cfm. SUMMARY: 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 June 22, 2009. 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– PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 Snake River (SR) spring/summer, threatened SR fall. Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened 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 1134 – 5M The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking to modify Permit 1134, under which they have been conducting research for more than ten years. The original permit was in place for five years (63 FR 30199) with one amendment (67 FR 43909); it expired on December 31, 2002. The next permit was also in place for five years expiring on December 31, 2007; it was renewed in 2008. The CRITFC is now asking to modify the permit to increase listed species take particularly for SR fall Chinook salmon. The permit would continue covering five study projects that, among them, would annually take adult and juvenile threatened SR fall Chinook salmon; adult and juvenile threatened SR spring/summer Chinook salmon; and adult and juvenile threatened SR steelhead in the Snake River basin. There have been some changes in the research over the last ten E:\FR\FM\21MYN1.SGM 21MYN1 dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 97 / Thursday, May 21, 2009 / Notices years, nonetheless, the projects proposed are largely continuations of ongoing research. They are: Project 1 – Adult Spring/Summer and Fall Chinook Salmon and Summer Steelhead Ground and Aerial Spawning Ground Surveys; Project 2 – Cryopreservation of Spring/ Summer Chinook Salmon and Summer Steelhead Gametes; Project3 – Adult Chinook Salmon Abundance Monitoring Using Video Weirs, Acoustic Imaging, and PIT tag Detectors in the South Fork Salmon River; Project 4 – Snorkel, Seine, Fyke Net, Minnow Trap, and Electrofishing Surveys and Collection of Juvenile Chinook Salmon and Steelhead; and Project 5 – Juvenile Anadromous Salmonid Emigration Studies Using Rotary Screw Traps. Under these tasks, listed adult and juvenile salmon would be variously (a) observed/harassed during fish population and production monitoring surveys; (b) captured (using seines, trawls, traps, hook-and-line angling equipment, and electrofishing equipment) and anesthetized; (c) sampled for biological information and tissue samples, (d) PIT-tagged or tagged with other identifiers, (e) and released. The CRITFC does not intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small percentage may die as a result of the research activities. The research has many purposes and would benefit listed salmon and steelhead in different ways. However, in general, the studies are part of ongoing efforts to monitor the status of listed species in the Snake River basin and to use those data to inform decisions about land and fisheries management actions and to help prioritize and plan recovery measures for the listed species. Under the proposal, the studies would continue to benefit listed species by generating population abundance estimates, allowing comparisons to be made between naturally reproducing populations and those being supplemented with hatchery fish, and helping preserve listed salmon and steelhead genetic diversity. 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 decision 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. VerDate Nov<24>2008 13:08 May 20, 2009 Jkt 217001 Dated: May 15, 2009. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–11943 Filed 5–20–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XP19 Incidental Taking of Marine Mammals; Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to the Explosive Removal of Offshore Structures in the Gulf of Mexico AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of letters of authorization. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued one-year Letters of Authorization (LOA) to take marine mammals incidental to the explosive removal of offshore oil and gas structures (EROS) in the Gulf of Mexico. DATES: These authorizations are effective from May 13, 2009 through May 12, 2010. ADDRESSES: The applications and LOAs are available for review by writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation, and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3235 or by telephoning the contact listed here (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or online at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm. Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Goldstein or Ken Hollingshead, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 301–713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the NMFS to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by United States citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region, if certain findings are made by NMFS PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 23845 and regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term ‘‘taking’’ means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to attempt to harass, hunt capture, or kill marine mammals. Authorization for incidental taking, in the form of annual LOAs, may be granted by NMFS for periods up to five years if NMFS finds, after notification and opportunity for public comment, that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) of marine mammals, and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant). In addition, NMFS must prescribe regulations that include permissible methods of taking and other means effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species and its habitat (i.e., mitigation), and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating rounds, and areas of similar significance. The regulations also must include requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. Regulations governing the taking incidental to EROS were published on June 19, 2008 (73 FR 34889), and remain in effect through July 19, 2013. For detailed information on this action, please refer to that Federal Register notice. The species that applicants may take in small numbers during EROS activities are bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), Clymene dolphins (Stenella clymene), striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), melonheaded whales (Peponocephala electra), pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Pursuant to these regulations, NMFS has issued LOAs to McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC, Maritech Resources, Inc., and Dynamic Offshore Resources NS, LLC. Issuance of the LOAs are based on a finding made in the preamble to the final rule that the total taking by these activities (with monitoring, mitigation, and reporting measures) will result in no more than a negligible impact on the affected species or stock(s) of marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on subsistence uses. NMFS also finds that the applicant will meet the requirements contained in the implementing regulations and LOA, including monitoring, mitigation, and reporting requirements. E:\FR\FM\21MYN1.SGM 21MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 97 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23844-23845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11943]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XP38


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Application for one scientific research permit modification.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received one scientific 
research permit application request 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. The application may be viewed on the NMFS website 
at https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.

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 June 22, 2009.

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:
    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): threatened Snake River 
(SR) spring/summer, threatened SR fall.
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened 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 1134 - 5M

    The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking 
to modify Permit 1134, under which they have been conducting research 
for more than ten years. The original permit was in place for five 
years (63 FR 30199) with one amendment (67 FR 43909); it expired on 
December 31, 2002. The next permit was also in place for five years 
expiring on December 31, 2007; it was renewed in 2008. The CRITFC is 
now asking to modify the permit to increase listed species take 
particularly for SR fall Chinook salmon. The permit would continue 
covering five study projects that, among them, would annually take 
adult and juvenile threatened SR fall Chinook salmon; adult and 
juvenile threatened SR spring/summer Chinook salmon; and adult and 
juvenile threatened SR steelhead in the Snake River basin. There have 
been some changes in the research over the last ten

[[Page 23845]]

years, nonetheless, the projects proposed are largely continuations of 
ongoing research. They are: Project 1 - Adult Spring/Summer and Fall 
Chinook Salmon and Summer Steelhead Ground and Aerial Spawning Ground 
Surveys; Project 2 - Cryopreservation of Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon 
and Summer Steelhead Gametes; Project3 - Adult Chinook Salmon Abundance 
Monitoring Using Video Weirs, Acoustic Imaging, and PIT tag Detectors 
in the South Fork Salmon River; Project 4 - Snorkel, Seine, Fyke Net, 
Minnow Trap, and Electrofishing Surveys and Collection of Juvenile 
Chinook Salmon and Steelhead; and Project 5 - Juvenile Anadromous 
Salmonid Emigration Studies Using Rotary Screw Traps. Under these 
tasks, listed adult and juvenile salmon would be variously (a) 
observed/harassed during fish population and production monitoring 
surveys; (b) captured (using seines, trawls, traps, hook-and-line 
angling equipment, and electrofishing equipment) and anesthetized; (c) 
sampled for biological information and tissue samples, (d) PIT-tagged 
or tagged with other identifiers, (e) and released. The CRITFC does not 
intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small percentage 
may die as a result of the research activities.
    The research has many purposes and would benefit listed salmon and 
steelhead in different ways. However, in general, the studies are part 
of ongoing efforts to monitor the status of listed species in the Snake 
River basin and to use those data to inform decisions about land and 
fisheries management actions and to help prioritize and plan recovery 
measures for the listed species. Under the proposal, the studies would 
continue to benefit listed species by generating population abundance 
estimates, allowing comparisons to be made between naturally 
reproducing populations and those being supplemented with hatchery 
fish, and helping preserve listed salmon and steelhead genetic 
diversity.
    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 
decision 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: May 15, 2009.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-11943 Filed 5-20-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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