Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 63294-63295 [2012-25452]

Download as PDF 63294 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 16, 2012 / Notices Type of Review: Regular submission (revision of a currently approved collection). Affected Public: Non-profit institutions; State, local, or tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 700. Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes each for a project summary, key contacts and current and pending federal support; 5 hours for an annual report; and 10 hours for a final report. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,050. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting costs. IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: October 11, 2012. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2012–25354 Filed 10–15–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–JS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC291 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; availability of joint state/tribal hatchery plan and request for comment. AGENCY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:06 Oct 15, 2012 Jkt 229001 Notice is hereby given that the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have submitted five Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans, to be considered jointly, to NMFS pursuant to the limitation on take prohibitions for actions conducted under Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule for salmon and steelhead promulgated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The plans specify the propagation of five species of salmon and steelhead in the Elwha River of Washington state. This document serves to notify the public of the availability for comment of the proposed evaluation of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) as to whether implementation of the joint plan will appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of Puget Sound Chinook salmon and Puget Sound steelhead. This notice further advises the public of the availability for review of an Environmental Assessment of the effects of the NMFS determination on the subject plans and associated harvest. DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific time on November 15, 2012. ADDRESSES: Written comments on the application should be addressed to the NMFS Salmon Management Division, 1201 NE. Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232, or faxed to 503– 872–2737. Comments may be submitted by email. The mailbox address for providing email comments is: ElwhaHatcheries.nwr@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the email comment the following identifier: Comments on Elwha River hatchery programs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allyson Purcell, at phone number: (503) 736–4736, or email: Allyson.Purcell@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ESA-Listed Species Covered in This Notice Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated Puget Sound. Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated Puget Sound. Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus): threatened Puget Sound/Washington Coast. Pacific eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): threatened southern DPS. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the WDFW have submitted to NMFS five jointly operated hatchery programs in the Elwha River basin. The plans were submitted pursuant to limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule for the listed Puget Sound Chinook salmon evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) and listed Puget Sound steelhead distinct population segment (DPS). Two of the hatchery programs release ESA-listed Chinook salmon and steelhead, and three hatchery programs release non-ESA listed coho, fall chum, and pink salmon into the Elwha River watershed. All of the programs are currently operating, and all five hatchery programs raise fish native to the Elwha River basin. As required by the ESA 4(d) rule (65 FR 42422, July 10, 2000, as updated in 70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005), the Secretary is seeking public comment on his pending determination as to whether the joint plans for hatchery programs in the Elwha River would appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of the ESA-listed Puget Sound salmon and steelhead. Under section 4(d) of the ESA, the Secretary is required to adopt such regulations as he deems necessary and advisable for the conservation of species listed as threatened. NMFS has issued a final ESA 4(d) Rule for salmon and steelhead, adopting in Limit 6 regulations necessary and advisable to harmonize statutory conservation requirements with tribal rights and the Federal trust responsibility to tribes (50 CFR 223.209). This 4(d) Rule applies the prohibitions enumerated in section 9(a)(1) of the ESA. NMFS did not find it necessary and advisable to apply the take prohibitions described in section 9(a)(1)(B) and 9(a)(1)(C) to artificial propagation activities if those activities are managed in accordance with a joint plan whose implementation has been determined by the Secretary to not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of the listed salmonids. As specified in limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule, before the Secretary makes a decision on the joint plan, the public must have an opportunity to review and comment on the pending determination. Authority Under section 4 of the ESA, the Secretary of Commerce is required to adopt such regulations as he deems necessary and advisable for the conservation of species listed as threatened. The ESA salmon and steelhead 4(d) rule (65 FR 42422, July 10, 2000, as updated in 70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005) specifies categories of activities that contribute to the conservation of listed salmonids and sets out the criteria for such activities. Limit 6 of the updated 4(d) rule (50 CFR 223.203(b)(6)) further provides that the prohibitions of paragraph (a) of the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM 16OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 16, 2012 / Notices updated 4(d) rule (50 CFR 223.203(a)) do not apply to activities associated with a joint state/tribal artificial propagation plan provided that the joint plan has been determined by NMFS to be in accordance with the salmon and steelhead 4(d) rule (65 FR 42422, July 10, 2000, as updated in 70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005). NEPA requires Federal agencies to conduct an environmental analysis of their proposed actions to determine if the actions may affect the human environment. NMFS expects to take action on a joint state/tribal plan under the 4(d) rule for salmon and steelhead. Therefore, NMFS is seeking public input on the scope of the required NEPA analysis, including the range of reasonable alternatives and associated impacts of any alternatives. Dated: October 11, 2012. Larissa Plants, Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–25452 Filed 10–15–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC274 Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Receipt of application for scientific research and enhancement. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received one scientific research and enhancement permit application request relating to anadromous species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposed research activities are intended to increase knowledge of the species and to help guide management and conservation efforts. The application and related documents may be viewed online at: https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/ preview_open_for_comment.cfm. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment by contacting NMFS by phone (916) 930– 3607 or fax (916) 930–3629. DATES: Written comments on the permit applications must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on November 15, 2012. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:06 Oct 15, 2012 Jkt 229001 Written comments on the permit application should be submitted to the Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 650 Capitol Mall, Room 5–100, Sacramento, CA 95814. Comments may also be submitted via fax to (916) 930– 3629 or by email to FRNpermits.SR@noaa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amanda Cranford, Sacramento, CA (ph.: 916–930–3706, email.: Amanda.Cranford@noaa.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: Species Covered in This Notice This notice is relevant to federally threatened California Central Valley (CCV) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), threatened Central Valley (CV) spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), and endangered Sacramento River (SR) winter-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha). Authority Issuance of permits and permit modifications, as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531–1543) (ESA), is based on a finding that such permits/modifications: (1) Are applied for in good faith; (2) would not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species which are the subject of the permits; and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Authority to take listed species is subject to conditions set forth in the permits. Permits and modifications are issued in accordance with and are subject to the ESA and NMFS regulations governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222–226). Those individuals 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). The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA. All statements and opinions contained in the permit action summaries are those of the applicant and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMFS. Application Received Permit 17428 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office is requesting a 5-year scientific research and enhancement permit to take adult spawned carcasses, smolt, and fry CCV steelhead, juvenile SR winter-run Chinook salmon, and juvenile CV spring-run Chinook salmon associated with research activities in the American PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 63295 River, downstream of the Watt Avenue Bridge, in Sacramento County, California. In the studies described below, researchers do not expect to kill any listed fish but a small number, up to 8.5 percent may die as an unintended result of the research activities. Two to four rotary screw traps (RSTs) will be deployed on the American River downstream of the Watt Avenue Bridge from 2013 through 2017. Each year, RSTs will be operated 5 to 7 days each week between January 1 and June 30. As traps are operated, data will be collected on fish abundance, trap operational status, and environmental characteristics at the trap site. Trap operations will focus on the collection of the juvenile life stage of CCV steelhead listed pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and nonlisted fall-run Chinook salmon. Other fish species will be collected on an incidental basis. If salmon that may be federally listed spring- or winter-run Chinook salmon are captured, fin clips will be taken so those samples can be used in genetic studies to determine which runs are actually present. The lengths of a representative sample of up to 100 individuals of each fish species will be measured each day. Weights from 25 salmon will be quantified each day. Captured fish will be released alive immediately downstream of the RSTs. The proposed monitoring project does not include activities designed to intentionally result in the death of listed taxa. Ten measures designed to reduce adverse effects relating to the monitoring project will be undertaken, e.g., servicing traps each day so none of the captured fish experience a hold time in excess of 24 hours. If juvenile salmonids are found dead or accidentally killed during trapping activities, they will be salvaged for future studies. Data summaries and analyses will be presented in annual reports prepared each year trapping occurs. After five years of data collection, the principal investigators will develop a report evaluating fish responses to habitat restoration activities in the watershed, and whether future management activities should be modified to enhance the abundance, production, condition, and survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead. Dated: October 11, 2012. Larissa Plants, Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–25481 Filed 10–15–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM 16OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63294-63295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25452]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC291


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Notice; availability of joint state/tribal hatchery plan and 
request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and 
the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have submitted five 
Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans, to be considered jointly, to 
NMFS pursuant to the limitation on take prohibitions for actions 
conducted under Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule for salmon and steelhead 
promulgated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The plans specify 
the propagation of five species of salmon and steelhead in the Elwha 
River of Washington state. This document serves to notify the public of 
the availability for comment of the proposed evaluation of the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) as to whether implementation of the 
joint plan will appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and 
recovery of Puget Sound Chinook salmon and Puget Sound steelhead.
    This notice further advises the public of the availability for 
review of an Environmental Assessment of the effects of the NMFS 
determination on the subject plans and associated harvest.

DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address or fax 
number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific time on November 
15, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the application should be addressed to 
the NMFS Salmon Management Division, 1201 NE. Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 
1100, Portland, OR 97232, or faxed to 503-872-2737. Comments may be 
submitted by email. The mailbox address for providing email comments 
is: ElwhaHatcheries.nwr@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the 
email comment the following identifier: Comments on Elwha River 
hatchery programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allyson Purcell, at phone number: 
(503) 736-4736, or email: Allyson.Purcell@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

ESA-Listed Species Covered in This Notice

    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): threatened, naturally 
produced and artificially propagated Puget Sound. Steelhead (O. 
mykiss): threatened, naturally produced and artificially propagated 
Puget Sound. Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus): threatened Puget 
Sound/Washington Coast. Pacific eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): 
threatened southern DPS.
    The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the WDFW have submitted to NMFS 
five jointly operated hatchery programs in the Elwha River basin. The 
plans were submitted pursuant to limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule for the 
listed Puget Sound Chinook salmon evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) 
and listed Puget Sound steelhead distinct population segment (DPS). Two 
of the hatchery programs release ESA-listed Chinook salmon and 
steelhead, and three hatchery programs release non-ESA listed coho, 
fall chum, and pink salmon into the Elwha River watershed. All of the 
programs are currently operating, and all five hatchery programs raise 
fish native to the Elwha River basin.
    As required by the ESA 4(d) rule (65 FR 42422, July 10, 2000, as 
updated in 70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005), the Secretary is seeking public 
comment on his pending determination as to whether the joint plans for 
hatchery programs in the Elwha River would appreciably reduce the 
likelihood of survival and recovery of the ESA-listed Puget Sound 
salmon and steelhead.
    Under section 4(d) of the ESA, the Secretary is required to adopt 
such regulations as he deems necessary and advisable for the 
conservation of species listed as threatened. NMFS has issued a final 
ESA 4(d) Rule for salmon and steelhead, adopting in Limit 6 regulations 
necessary and advisable to harmonize statutory conservation 
requirements with tribal rights and the Federal trust responsibility to 
tribes (50 CFR 223.209).
    This 4(d) Rule applies the prohibitions enumerated in section 
9(a)(1) of the ESA. NMFS did not find it necessary and advisable to 
apply the take prohibitions described in section 9(a)(1)(B) and 
9(a)(1)(C) to artificial propagation activities if those activities are 
managed in accordance with a joint plan whose implementation has been 
determined by the Secretary to not appreciably reduce the likelihood of 
survival and recovery of the listed salmonids. As specified in limit 6 
of the 4(d) Rule, before the Secretary makes a decision on the joint 
plan, the public must have an opportunity to review and comment on the 
pending determination.

Authority

    Under section 4 of the ESA, the Secretary of Commerce is required 
to adopt such regulations as he deems necessary and advisable for the 
conservation of species listed as threatened. The ESA salmon and 
steelhead 4(d) rule (65 FR 42422, July 10, 2000, as updated in 70 FR 
37160, June 28, 2005) specifies categories of activities that 
contribute to the conservation of listed salmonids and sets out the 
criteria for such activities. Limit 6 of the updated 4(d) rule (50 CFR 
223.203(b)(6)) further provides that the prohibitions of paragraph (a) 
of the

[[Page 63295]]

updated 4(d) rule (50 CFR 223.203(a)) do not apply to activities 
associated with a joint state/tribal artificial propagation plan 
provided that the joint plan has been determined by NMFS to be in 
accordance with the salmon and steelhead 4(d) rule (65 FR 42422, July 
10, 2000, as updated in 70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005).
    NEPA requires Federal agencies to conduct an environmental analysis 
of their proposed actions to determine if the actions may affect the 
human environment. NMFS expects to take action on a joint state/tribal 
plan under the 4(d) rule for salmon and steelhead. Therefore, NMFS is 
seeking public input on the scope of the required NEPA analysis, 
including the range of reasonable alternatives and associated impacts 
of any alternatives.

    Dated: October 11, 2012.
Larissa Plants,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-25452 Filed 10-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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