Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 78242-78243 [2011-32286]

Download as PDF 78242 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Notices period for which data are available as of December 20, 2011 is the 12-month period ending on October 31, 2011. Therefore, for the one-year period beginning on December 20, 2011 and extending through December 19, 2012, the quantity of imports eligible for preferential treatment under the valueadded program is 326,752,739 square meters equivalent. Apparel articles entered in excess of these quantities will be subject to otherwise applicable tariffs. Dated: December 12, 2011. Kim Glas, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel. [FR Doc. 2011–32278 Filed 12–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XO45 Marine Mammals; File No. 14241 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Peter Tyack, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA has applied for an amendment to Permit No. 14241–02 to conduct research on marine mammals. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before January 17, 2012. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review by selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public Comment’’ from the Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species home page, https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 14241 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376; Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; phone (978) 281–9300; fax (978) 281– 9333; and Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, Florida jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:42 Dec 15, 2011 Jkt 226001 33701; phone (727) 824–5312; fax (727) 824–5309. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Carrie Hubard, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 14241–02 is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216. Permit No. 14241, issued on July 15, 2009 (74 FR 3668), authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on cetacean behavior, sound production, and responses to sound. The research methods include tagging marine mammals with an advanced digital sound recording tag that records the acoustic stimuli an animal hears and measures vocalization, behavior, and physiological parameters. Research also involves conducting sound playbacks in a carefully controlled manner and measuring animals’ responses. The principal study species are beaked whales, especially Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), and large delphinids such as long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), although other small cetacean species may also be studied. The locations for the field work are the Mediterranean Sea, waters off of the mid-Atlantic United States, and Cape Cod Bay. The permit has been amended twice since issuance. Amendment number 1 (Permit No. 14241–01) issued on July 27, 2010 (75 FR 47779): (1) Included authorization for collection of a skin and blubber biopsy sample from animals that are already authorized to be tagged; (2) added new species for existing projects involving tagging, playbacks, and behavioral observations; and (3) modified and clarified tagging and playback protocols and mitigation for when dependent calves are present. Amendment number 2 (Permit No. 14241–02), a minor amendment, issued on April 4, 2011, modified the sound source protocols and added zinc oxide marking for animals being tagged or biopsied. The permit, as amended, is valid through July 31, 2014. The permit holder has a pending amendment request (76 FR 75524) to: (1) Add one new species, Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), for field work in waters off Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia; (2) add a new project to Dtag the following species in waters off the west coast of North America: Baird’s beaked whale (Berardius bairdii), Cuvier’s beaked whale, Risso’s dolphin PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (Grampus griseus), killer whale (Orcinus orca) and Mesoplodont beaked whales (Mesoplodon spp); (3) add a new procedure for marking cetaceans with zinc oxide; (4) add satellite tagging to long-finned pilot whales in approaches to the Mediterranean; and (5) switch some of the playback takes initially located in the Mediterranean and eastern North Atlantic to the same stocks of long-finned and short-finned (G. macrorhynchus) pilot whales off Cape Hatteras, an area where research is already authorized. The amendment would not change the expiration date of the permit. The permit holder is requesting that the pending amendment also include: (1) adding waters off Florida to the project for tagging to study risks of entanglement is mid-Atlantic states, with no changes in the numbers, species, or stocks of marine mammals taken; and (2) increasing the number of Baird’s beaked whales that may be zincmarked off the west coast of North America from 40 to 80 per year (as part of item number 2 above). In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: December 13, 2011. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–32288 Filed 12–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA866 Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Application for a research permit renewal. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received a scientific research SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2011 / Notices permit application request relating to Pacific salmon and the southern distinct population segment of Pacific eulachon. 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 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 17, 2012. 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 email to nmfs.nwr.apps@noaa.gov. Rob Clapp, Portland, OR (ph.: (503) 231– 2314), Fax: (503) 230–5441, email: Robert.Clapp@noaa.gov. Permit application instructions are available from the address above, or online at https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Species Covered in This Notice The following listed species are covered in this notice: Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): threatened upper Willamette River (UWR); threatened lower Columbia River (LCR); endangered upper Columbia River (UCR); threatened Snake River (SR) spring/sum (spr/sum); threatened SR fall; Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened UWR, threatened LCR; threatened UCR; threatened SR; threatened middle Columbia River (MCR). Chum salmon (O. nerka): threatened CR. Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened LCR. Eulachon: the southern Distinct Populations Segment (SDPS) of Pacific eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus). jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:42 Dec 15, 2011 Jkt 226001 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 1461–5R The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that would allow them to take all fish species covered in this notice while conducting research at Crims Island and the Julia Butler Hanson National Wildlife Refuge in the lower Columbia River. The purpose of the research is to determine fish species composition, habitat use, and diet in the areas sampled. The data gathered would be used to guide and determine the effectiveness of habitat restoration activities in the lower Columbia River. The species would benefit from wellplanned and monitored habitat restoration activities as well as (ultimately) the restored habitat itself. Permit 1461 has been in place since 2004; the USGS is requesting that the permit be issued for an additional five years. Juvenile salmonids would be collected (using beach seines, Fyke nets, backpack electrofishing, and boat electrofishing), and variously anesthetized, measured for length and weight, sampled for stomach contents and scales, marked (using fluorescent elastomers, Pan-jet needle-less inocculators, or batchmarked with a flourochrome dye), PIT tagged, allowed to recover from the anesthesia, and released. Not all fish would undergo all these procedures, but all would be anesthetized. The USGS does not intend to kill any fish, but a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will evaluate the 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 12, 2011. Lisa Manning, Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–32286 Filed 12–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 78243 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA853 Notice of Availability for General Conservation Plans and Notice of Intent To Prepare Environmental Assessments National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Availability of General Conservation Plans; and Notice of Intent To prepare Environmental Assessments; announcement of a public scoping meeting; request for comments. AGENCY: We, NMFS, announce our intent to conduct public scoping necessary to gather information to prepare General Conservation Plans (GCPs) for the Penobscot Bay, Merrymeeting Bay, and Downeast Coastal Salmon Habitat Recovery Units (SHRUs) and Environmental Assessments (EAs) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The GCPs will provide a streamlined process by which dam owners that are not regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) can obtain an incidental take permit (ITP) by conforming to specific measures in their respective GCP that minimize and mitigate impacts to Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment (GOM DPS) of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The GCP will be implemented cooperatively by participating dam owners and NMFS. The EAs will analyze the environmental effects of the proposed issuance of ITPs under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended. We provide this notice to announce the initiation of a public scoping period, during which other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public can provide suggestions and information on the scope of issues and range of alternatives to be addressed in the GCPs and EAs. DATES: Please send written comments on or before February 14, 2012. A formal Public scoping meeting will be held on January 11, 2011. For the public meeting locations, see ‘‘Meeting’’ below. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2011–0291, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov. To submit SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78242-78243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32286]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA866


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Application for a research permit renewal.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received a scientific 
research

[[Page 78243]]

permit application request relating to Pacific salmon and the southern 
distinct population segment of Pacific eulachon. 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 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 17, 
2012.

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 email to nmfs.nwr.apps@noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Clapp, Portland, OR (ph.: (503) 
231-2314), Fax: (503) 230-5441, email: Robert.Clapp@noaa.gov. Permit 
application instructions are available from the address above, or 
online at https://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 upper 
Willamette River (UWR); threatened lower Columbia River (LCR); 
endangered upper Columbia River (UCR); threatened Snake River (SR) 
spring/sum (spr/sum); threatened SR fall;
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened UWR, threatened LCR; 
threatened UCR; threatened SR; threatened middle Columbia River 
(MCR).
    Chum salmon (O. nerka): threatened CR.
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened LCR.
    Eulachon: the southern Distinct Populations Segment (SDPS) of 
Pacific eulachon (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 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 1461-5R

    The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking to renew for 
five years a research permit that would allow them to take all fish 
species covered in this notice while conducting research at Crims 
Island and the Julia Butler Hanson National Wildlife Refuge in the 
lower Columbia River. The purpose of the research is to determine fish 
species composition, habitat use, and diet in the areas sampled. The 
data gathered would be used to guide and determine the effectiveness of 
habitat restoration activities in the lower Columbia River. The species 
would benefit from well-planned and monitored habitat restoration 
activities as well as (ultimately) the restored habitat itself. Permit 
1461 has been in place since 2004; the USGS is requesting that the 
permit be issued for an additional five years. Juvenile salmonids would 
be collected (using beach seines, Fyke nets, backpack electrofishing, 
and boat electrofishing), and variously anesthetized, measured for 
length and weight, sampled for stomach contents and scales, marked 
(using fluorescent elastomers, Pan-jet needle-less inocculators, or 
batchmarked with a flourochrome dye), PIT tagged, allowed to recover 
from the anesthesia, and released. Not all fish would undergo all these 
procedures, but all would be anesthetized. The USGS does not intend to 
kill any fish, but a small number may die as an unintended result of 
the activities.
    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS 
will evaluate the 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 12, 2011.
Lisa Manning,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32286 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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