Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 69068-69070 [E9-31005]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 69068 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 30, 2009 / Notices procedures within FTZ 79—Site 5, Tampa, Florida (FTZ Docket 1–2009, filed 1–23–2009); Whereas, the proposed shipbuilding and repair activity would be subject to the ‘‘standard shipyard restriction’’ (full customs duties paid on steel mill products); Whereas, notice inviting public comment has been given in the Federal Register (74 FR 6012, 2–4–2009); Whereas, the Board adopts the findings and recommendations of the examiner’s report, and finds that the requirements of the FTZ Act and the Board’s regulations would be satisfied, and that approval of the application would be in the public interest; Now, therefore, the Board hereby grants authority for the construction and repair of oceangoing vessels within FTZ 79 for Tampa Ship, LLC, as described in the application and Federal Register notice, subject to the Act and the Board’s regulations, including Section 400.28, and the following special conditions: 1. Any foreign steel mill product admitted to FTZ 79 for the Tampa Ship, LLC activity, including plate, angles, shapes, channels, rolled steel stock, bars, pipes and tubes, not incorporated into merchandise otherwise classified, and which is used in manufacturing, shall be subject to customs duties in accordance with applicable law, unless the Executive Secretary determines that the same item is not then being produced by a domestic steel mill. 2. Tampa Ship, LLC shall meet its obligation under 15 CFR § 400.28(a)(3) by annually advising the Board’s Executive Secretary as to significant new contracts with appropriate information concerning foreign purchases otherwise dutiable, so that the Board may consider whether any foreign dutiable items are being imported for manufacturing in the zone primarily because of FTZ procedures and whether the Board should consider requiring customs duties to be paid on such items. 3. All foreign-origin safety netting (HTSUS 5608.90) for the Tampa Ship, LLC activity must be admitted to the zone in privileged foreign status (19 CFR 146.41) or domestic (duty-paid) status (19 CFR 146.43). VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:01 Dec 29, 2009 Jkt 220001 Signed at Washington, DC, this 18th day of December 2009. Ronald K. Lorentzen Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration, Alternate Chairman, Foreign-Trade Zones Board. Andrew McGilvray, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. E9–31022 Filed 12–29–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P Dated: December 22, 2009. Ronald K. Lorentzen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E9–31024 Filed 12–29–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RIN 0648–XT53 International Trade Administration Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish Clarification of the 2009 Calculation of Expected Non-Market Economy Wages AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Clarification of the effective date of 2009 expected non-market economy wage calculation. On December 8, 2009, the Department of Commerce (‘‘Department’’) published the final calculation of the 2009 expected nonmarket economy (‘‘NME’’) wages. See 2009 Calculation of Expected NonMarket Economy Wages, 74 FR 65092 (December 9, 2009) (‘‘Final 2009 Notice’’). In the Final 2009 Notice, the Department stated that the final wage rate would be applied to all antidumping proceedings for which the Department’s final decision is due after the publication of the notice. The Department hereby clarifies that it will apply this wage rate to final determinations subsequent to the publication of the Final 2009 Notice in antidumping proceedings for which the Department has not yet reached the preliminary results. The Final 2009 Notice remains in effect in all other respects. SUMMARY: DATES: These expected NME wage rates have been finalized in the Final 2009 Notice and will be applied to all antidumping proceeding final determinations subsequent to December 8, 2009, for which the Department has not yet reached the preliminary results. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bobby Wong, International Trade Analyst, Operations Office IX, Import Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–0409. RESULTS: The final results and underlying data for the 2009 calculation have been posted on the Import Administration Web site at (https:// ia.ita.doc.gov). PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Applications for five new scientific research permits and two permit modifications. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received seven 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. The applications may be viewed online at: https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/ previewlopenlforlcomment.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 January 29, 2010. 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 nmfs.nwr.apps@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, or online at apps.nmfs.noaa.gov. 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), threatened upper Willamette River (UWR), endangered upper Columbia River (UCR), threatened E:\FR\FM\30DEN1.SGM 30DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 30, 2009 / Notices Snake River (SR) spring/summer (spr/ sum), threatened SR fall, threatened Puget Sound (PS). Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened Columbia River (CR). Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened LCR, threatened UWR, threatened middle Columbia River (MCR), threatened SR, threatened UCR, threatened PS. Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened LCR, threatened Oregon Coast (OC). Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): endangered SR. Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) Eulachon: Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) (Thaleichthys pacificus) 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 mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Permit 1379–5M The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking to modify a permit that currently allows them to take listed salmonids (UCR steelhead and Chinook; LCR steelhead and Chinook; MCR steelhead; and SR steelhead, spr/sum Chinook, fall Chinook, and sockeye) while conducting research designed to increase what we know about the status and productivity of various fish populations, collect data on migratory and exploitation (harvest) patterns, and develop baseline information on various population and habitat parameters in order to guide salmonid restoration strategies. The permit would comprise four studies: Project 1--Juvenile Upriver Bright Fall Chinook Sampling at the Hanford Reach; Project 2--Adult Chinook, Sockeye, and Coho Sampling VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:01 Dec 29, 2009 Jkt 220001 at Bonneville Dam; Project 3--Adult Sockeye Sampling at Tumwater and Wells dams; and Project 4--Acoustic trawl survey for Lake Wenatchee juvenile sockeye salmon. This modification would increase the number of fish CRITFC is allowed to handle and add Project 4. The research will benefit listed fish by helping managers set in-river and ocean harvest regimes so that they have minimal impacts on listed populations. It will also help managers prioritize projects in a way that gives maximum benefit to listed species including projects designed to help the listed fish recover. The CRITFC would obtain fish from the adult collection facilities at Bonneville, Wells, and Tumwater dams. The fish will be anesthetized, measured, examined for marks, scale-sampled, and allowed to return to the river. The researchers would also use beach- and stick seines to capture and tag juvenile fish in the Hanford reach of the Columbia River and capture fish during mid-water trawls in Lake Wenatchee. Those fish that are not immediately released upon capture would be transported to a holding facility where they will be anesthetized, examined for marks, adipose-clipped, coded wire tagged, allowed to recover, and released. The CRITFC 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 14271–2M The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking to modify their 2 year scientific research permit that currently authorizes them to take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, PS steelhead, and HC chum salmon. The modification would expand the area of the research to include the lower Columbia River and some Washington coastal areas. It would also allow them to take UCR steelhead and Chinook, SR sockeye, spr/sum Chinook, fall Chinook, and steelhead, LCR Chinook, coho and steelhead, MCR steelhead, UWR Chinook, CR chum, green sturgeon, and southern DPS eulachon. The purpose of the project is to continue developing a sampling plan to report on the status of watershed health and salmon recovery efforts at three spatial scales: Water Resource Inventory Area, Salmon Recovery Region, and statewide. The goal is to develop a quality assurance monitoring plan for statewide probability-based sampling of aquatic habitat conditions and species diversity and abundance. The information gathered by this research would benefit listed salmonids by helping resource managers evaluate the effectiveness of PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69069 habitat restoration efforts and the status and trends of aquatic species. The applicant proposes to capture fish with backpack and boat electrofishing equipment. Listed fish would be enumerated and immediately released. The applicant does not propose to kill any listed fish species, but a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities. Permit 14647 Wyllie-Echeverria Associates (WEA) is seeking to renew a research permit (permit 1521–4M) that currently authorizes the WEA to take juvenile natural and hatchery PS Chinook while conducting research designed to determine which salmonid species and which Chinook salmon stocks use the nearshore marine habitats of San Juan Archipelago, Washington. The modification would allow them to take juvenile PS steelhead as well. The research would benefit the listed fish by helping managers set priorities for protecting salmonid habitat in Washington. Also, the information gathered would be used in salmon recovery planning. The WEA proposes to capture fish using beach seines, toss nets, and surface tow nets. The fish would be handled, anesthetized, fin clipped, and released at selected sites in the nearshore marine habitats of the islands. The WEA does not propose to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities. Permit 14678 Mr. Kenneth L. Witty is seeking to annually take juvenile, threatened, MCR steelhead during the course of scientific research in the Yakima River basin in Washington. The purpose of the research is to study fish communities in the irrigation drainage networks of the lower Yakima River basin. The project will determine the extent to which threatened steelhead juveniles inhabit the irrigation networks. The research will benefit threatened MCR steelhead by giving Federal managers data on where the fish are in the Yakima River basin irrigation system thus helping them make decisions about how to run the system in a way that conserves the species. Backpack electrofishing equipment will be used to sample fish distribution and abundance. Mr. Witty does not intend to kill any listed salmonids but a few may die as an unintentional result of the research. Permit 14717 The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is requesting a one-year research permit to take juvenile LCR Chinook, E:\FR\FM\30DEN1.SGM 30DEN1 69070 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 30, 2009 / Notices coho, and chum salmon. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been conducting a comparative study of disturbed, undisturbed, and restored estuarine marshes in three tributaries of the Gray’s River, Washington. Their study has examined the vegetative and hydrological conditions but relatively little information has been collected on salmonids. The objective of the FWS is to study species distribution and abundance in these three tributaries. The goal of the FWS is to determine if there is a significant difference in species abundance and diversity among these three sites. The research would benefit the species by helping managers learn more about the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts. The FWS would use backpack electrofishing equipment to capture, handle, and release salmonids. Fish would be sedated with MS–222, weighed, measured, then allowed to recover before release. The FWS does not intend to kill any fish being captured but a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Permit 14772 The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is requesting a fiveyear research permit to take juvenile and adult OC coho salmon. The objective of the research is to determine fish abundance and distribution, as well as habitat preference in the Umpqua River. The ODFW would also study the distribution of non-native invasive species, interspecific competition, and predator-prey interactions. The information would benefit OC coho by helping to improve management plans. The ODFW would use backpack and boat electrofishing equipment to capture fish that would then be handled and swiftly released. The ODFW will avoid adult coho, but a few may be shocked. If the researchers were to encounter adult coho, they would shut off the electrical current and allow the fish to swim away and no more electrofishing would occur in that location. The ODFW does not intend to kill any of the fish being captured but a small number of juvenile coho may die as an unintended result of the activities. Permit 15119 The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is requesting a 1-year research permit to take all fish species identified in this notice while conducting research throughout the coastal waters of the State of Washington. The research is part of the EPA-funded National Coastal Condition Assessment, which investigates the occurrence and concentrations of toxic VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:01 Dec 29, 2009 Jkt 220001 contaminants in marine and estuarine fish tissue as one component of ecological health. The listed species would benefit indirectly from the development of actions to control, reduce, and remove toxic contaminants from Washington State’s waters. Ecology would capture fish (using otter trawl, hook-and-line, or beach seine), handle, and release them. Ecology does not intend to kill any listed 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 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: December 24, 2009. Therese Conant, Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–31005 Filed 12–29–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648–XT55 Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings and Hearings AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability of reports; public meetings, and hearings. SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has begun its annual preseason management process for the 2010 ocean salmon fisheries. This document announces the availability of Council documents as well as the dates and locations of Council meetings and public hearings comprising the Council(s complete schedule of events for determining the annual proposed and final modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures. The agendas for the March and April 2010 Council meetings will be published in subsequent Federal Register documents prior to the actual meetings. DATES: Written comments on the salmon management options must be received PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, April 1, 2010. ADDRESSES: Documents will be available from, and written comments should be sent to, Mr. David Ortmann, Chairman, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384, telephone: (503) 820–2280 (voice) or (503) 820– 2299 (fax). Comments can also be submitted via e-mail at PFMC.comments@noaa.gov. address, or through the internet at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments, and include the I.D. number in the subject line of the message. For specific meeting and hearing locations, see supplementary information. Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Chuck Tracy, telephone: (503) 820– 2280. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Schedule for Document Completion and Availability February 25, 2010: ‘‘Review of 2009 Ocean Salmon Fisheries’’ and ‘‘Preseason Report I-Stock Abundance Analysis for 2010 Ocean Salmon Fisheries’’ will be mailed to the public and posted on the Council website at https://www.pcouncil.org. March 23, 2010: ‘‘Preseason Report IIAnalysis of Proposed Regulatory Options for 2010 Ocean Salmon Fisheries’’ and public hearing schedule will be mailed to the public and posted on the Council website at https:// www.pcouncil.org. The report will include a description of the adopted salmon management options and a summary of their biological and economic impacts. April 23, 2010: ‘‘Preseason Report IIIAnalysis of Council-Adopted Ocean Salmon Management Measures for 2010 Ocean Salmon Fisheries’’ will be mailed to the public and posted on the Council website at https://www.pcouncil.org. May 1, 2010: Federal regulations for 2010 ocean salmon regulations will be published in the Federal Register and implemented. Meetings and Hearings January 19–22, 2010: The Salmon Technical Team (STT) will meet at the Council office in a public work session to draft ‘‘Review of 2009 Ocean Salmon Fisheries’’ and to consider any other estimation or methodology issues E:\FR\FM\30DEN1.SGM 30DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69068-69070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31005]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XT53


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Applications for five new scientific research permits and two 
permit modifications.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received seven 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. The applications may be viewed online 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 January 29, 
2010.

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 nmfs.nwr.apps@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, or 
online at apps.nmfs.noaa.gov.

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), threatened upper Willamette River (UWR), 
endangered upper Columbia River (UCR), threatened

[[Page 69069]]

Snake River (SR) spring/summer (spr/sum), threatened SR fall, 
threatened Puget Sound (PS).
    Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened Columbia River (CR).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened LCR, threatened UWR, threatened 
middle Columbia River (MCR), threatened SR, threatened UCR, threatened 
PS.
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened LCR, threatened Oregon Coast 
(OC).
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): endangered SR.
    Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris)
    Eulachon: Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) (Thaleichthys 
pacificus)

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 1379-5M

    The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking 
to modify a permit that currently allows them to take listed salmonids 
(UCR steelhead and Chinook; LCR steelhead and Chinook; MCR steelhead; 
and SR steelhead, spr/sum Chinook, fall Chinook, and sockeye) while 
conducting research designed to increase what we know about the status 
and productivity of various fish populations, collect data on migratory 
and exploitation (harvest) patterns, and develop baseline information 
on various population and habitat parameters in order to guide salmonid 
restoration strategies. The permit would comprise four studies: Project 
1--Juvenile Upriver Bright Fall Chinook Sampling at the Hanford Reach; 
Project 2--Adult Chinook, Sockeye, and Coho Sampling at Bonneville Dam; 
Project 3--Adult Sockeye Sampling at Tumwater and Wells dams; and 
Project 4--Acoustic trawl survey for Lake Wenatchee juvenile sockeye 
salmon. This modification would increase the number of fish CRITFC is 
allowed to handle and add Project 4. The research will benefit listed 
fish by helping managers set in-river and ocean harvest regimes so that 
they have minimal impacts on listed populations. It will also help 
managers prioritize projects in a way that gives maximum benefit to 
listed species including projects designed to help the listed fish 
recover. The CRITFC would obtain fish from the adult collection 
facilities at Bonneville, Wells, and Tumwater dams. The fish will be 
anesthetized, measured, examined for marks, scale-sampled, and allowed 
to return to the river. The researchers would also use beach- and stick 
seines to capture and tag juvenile fish in the Hanford reach of the 
Columbia River and capture fish during mid-water trawls in Lake 
Wenatchee. Those fish that are not immediately released upon capture 
would be transported to a holding facility where they will be 
anesthetized, examined for marks, adipose-clipped, coded wire tagged, 
allowed to recover, and released. The CRITFC 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 14271-2M

    The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking to 
modify their 2 year scientific research permit that currently 
authorizes them to take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, PS 
steelhead, and HC chum salmon. The modification would expand the area 
of the research to include the lower Columbia River and some Washington 
coastal areas. It would also allow them to take UCR steelhead and 
Chinook, SR sockeye, spr/sum Chinook, fall Chinook, and steelhead, LCR 
Chinook, coho and steelhead, MCR steelhead, UWR Chinook, CR chum, green 
sturgeon, and southern DPS eulachon. The purpose of the project is to 
continue developing a sampling plan to report on the status of 
watershed health and salmon recovery efforts at three spatial scales: 
Water Resource Inventory Area, Salmon Recovery Region, and statewide. 
The goal is to develop a quality assurance monitoring plan for 
statewide probability-based sampling of aquatic habitat conditions and 
species diversity and abundance. The information gathered by this 
research would benefit listed salmonids by helping resource managers 
evaluate the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts and the 
status and trends of aquatic species. The applicant proposes to capture 
fish with backpack and boat electrofishing equipment. Listed fish would 
be enumerated and immediately released. The applicant does not propose 
to kill any listed fish species, but a small number may die as an 
unintended result of the activities.

Permit 14647

    Wyllie-Echeverria Associates (WEA) is seeking to renew a research 
permit (permit 1521-4M) that currently authorizes the WEA to take 
juvenile natural and hatchery PS Chinook while conducting research 
designed to determine which salmonid species and which Chinook salmon 
stocks use the nearshore marine habitats of San Juan Archipelago, 
Washington. The modification would allow them to take juvenile PS 
steelhead as well. The research would benefit the listed fish by 
helping managers set priorities for protecting salmonid habitat in 
Washington. Also, the information gathered would be used in salmon 
recovery planning. The WEA proposes to capture fish using beach seines, 
toss nets, and surface tow nets. The fish would be handled, 
anesthetized, fin clipped, and released at selected sites in the 
nearshore marine habitats of the islands. The WEA does not propose to 
kill any of the fish being captured, but a small number may die as an 
unintended result of the activities.

Permit 14678

    Mr. Kenneth L. Witty is seeking to annually take juvenile, 
threatened, MCR steelhead during the course of scientific research in 
the Yakima River basin in Washington. The purpose of the research is to 
study fish communities in the irrigation drainage networks of the lower 
Yakima River basin. The project will determine the extent to which 
threatened steelhead juveniles inhabit the irrigation networks. The 
research will benefit threatened MCR steelhead by giving Federal 
managers data on where the fish are in the Yakima River basin 
irrigation system thus helping them make decisions about how to run the 
system in a way that conserves the species. Backpack electrofishing 
equipment will be used to sample fish distribution and abundance. Mr. 
Witty does not intend to kill any listed salmonids but a few may die as 
an unintentional result of the research.

Permit 14717

    The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is requesting a one-year 
research permit to take juvenile LCR Chinook,

[[Page 69070]]

coho, and chum salmon. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has 
been conducting a comparative study of disturbed, undisturbed, and 
restored estuarine marshes in three tributaries of the Gray's River, 
Washington. Their study has examined the vegetative and hydrological 
conditions but relatively little information has been collected on 
salmonids. The objective of the FWS is to study species distribution 
and abundance in these three tributaries. The goal of the FWS is to 
determine if there is a significant difference in species abundance and 
diversity among these three sites. The research would benefit the 
species by helping managers learn more about the effectiveness of 
habitat restoration efforts. The FWS would use backpack electrofishing 
equipment to capture, handle, and release salmonids. Fish would be 
sedated with MS-222, weighed, measured, then allowed to recover before 
release. The FWS does not intend to kill any fish being captured but a 
small number may die as an unintended result of the activities.

Permit 14772

    The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is requesting a 
five-year research permit to take juvenile and adult OC coho salmon. 
The objective of the research is to determine fish abundance and 
distribution, as well as habitat preference in the Umpqua River. The 
ODFW would also study the distribution of non-native invasive species, 
interspecific competition, and predator-prey interactions. The 
information would benefit OC coho by helping to improve management 
plans. The ODFW would use backpack and boat electrofishing equipment to 
capture fish that would then be handled and swiftly released. The ODFW 
will avoid adult coho, but a few may be shocked. If the researchers 
were to encounter adult coho, they would shut off the electrical 
current and allow the fish to swim away and no more electrofishing 
would occur in that location. The ODFW does not intend to kill any of 
the fish being captured but a small number of juvenile coho may die as 
an unintended result of the activities.

Permit 15119

    The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is requesting 
a 1-year research permit to take all fish species identified in this 
notice while conducting research throughout the coastal waters of the 
State of Washington. The research is part of the EPA-funded National 
Coastal Condition Assessment, which investigates the occurrence and 
concentrations of toxic contaminants in marine and estuarine fish 
tissue as one component of ecological health. The listed species would 
benefit indirectly from the development of actions to control, reduce, 
and remove toxic contaminants from Washington State's waters. Ecology 
would capture fish (using otter trawl, hook-and-line, or beach seine), 
handle, and release them. Ecology does not intend to kill any listed 
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 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: December 24, 2009.
Therese Conant,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-31005 Filed 12-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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