Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 67794-67796 [2012-27696]
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67794
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 14, 2012 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC341
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Take of Anadromous Fish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Applications for six new
scientific research permits, one permit
modification, and one permit renewal.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
NMFS has received eight scientific
research permit application requests
relating to Pacific salmon, the southern
distinct population segment of
eulachon, and Puget Sound/Georgia
Basin rockfish. 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
December 14, 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
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
Species Covered in This Notice
The following listed species are
covered in this notice:
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha): Threatened Puget Sound
(PS); 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 PS;
threatened UWR, threatened LCR;
threatened UCR; threatened SR;
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threatened middle Columbia River
(MCR).
Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened
Hood Canal (HC) summer-run,
threatened Columbia River (CR).
Sockeye salmon (O. nerka):
Threatened Ozette Lake (OL);
endangered SR.
Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened
LCR.
Rockfish: Puget Sound/Georgia Basin
(PS/GB) bocaccio (Sebastes
paucispinis); PS/GB canary rockfish
(Sebastes pinniger), and PS/GB
yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes
ruberrimus).
Eulachon: The southern Distinct
Populations Segment (DPS) 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 10020–2R
The City of Bellingham (COB) is
seeking to renew for five years a
research permit that currently allows
them to take juvenile PS Chinook
salmon and PS steelhead. The sampling
would take place in Cemetery Creek, a
tributary of Whatcom Creek in
Bellingham, WA. The purpose of the
study is to assess the effectiveness of
habitat restoration measures
implemented as part of the Whatcom
Creek Long-term Restoration Plan by
documenting fish population trends.
This research would benefit the affected
species by informing future restoration
designs as well as providing data to
support future enhancement projects.
The COB proposes to capture fish using
a smolt trap placed in Cemetery Creek.
Fish would be identified by species and
measured, have a tissue sample taken
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Sfmt 4703
(to determine their origin), and be
released. The researchers do not
propose to kill any of the listed
salmonids being captured, but a small
number may die as an unintended result
of the activities.
Permit 16303
The University of Washington (UW) is
seeking a five-year research permit to
annually take juvenile and adult PS
Chinook salmon, HCS chum salmon, PS
steelhead, and PS/GB bocaccio. The UW
research may also cause them to take the
following species for which there are
currently no ESA take prohibitions:
Southern DPS of Pacific eulachon, PS/
GB canary rockfish, and PS/GB
yelloweye rockfish. Sampling would
take place throughout Puget Sound and
the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The purpose
of the study is to determine the timing
and magnitude of size-selective
mortality and other factors that affect
growth and survival during the early
marine growth period for salmon. This
research would benefit the affected
species by shedding light on the
relationship between salmonid marine
mortality, body size, and abundance and
thus aid management and guide
recovery efforts for various salmonid
populations. The UW proposes
capturing fish by mid-water trawl, beach
seine, and purse seine. The mid-water
trawling would be conducted by
Canadian Department of Fisheries and
Oceans (CDFO) research vessels using a
mid-water rope trawl during daylight at
various depths and velocities. The midwater trawl surveys would be
coordinated with surveys in Canadian
waters. The beach seining and purse
seining are designed generate data on
critical life stages for different stocks
and species of salmon, relate stagespecific size and growth to smolt-adult
returns ratios, and increase our
understanding of the underlying
mechanisms that affect growth at these
life stages. During the mid-water trawls,
the fish would be identified by species,
weighed, measured for length, and
checked for coded wire tags (CWTs).
Viable adult salmon and rockfish would
be released. Any juvenile salmon that
suffer lethal injuries would be further
sampled for CWTs, scales, fins, stomach
contents, and otoliths. During the beach
and purse seining, the fish would be
anesthetized, identified by species,
checked for CWTs, sampled for stomach
contents and scale and fin tissues, and
released. All juvenile CWT fish would
be intentionally sacrificed to determine
their origins. The researchers do not
propose to kill any other captured fish,
but a small number may die as an
unintended result of the activities.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 14, 2012 / Notices
Permit 16784
Environ International Corporation
(Environ) is requesting a one-year
scientific research permit to take
juvenile SR fall Chinook salmon, SR
spr/sum Chinook salmon, UCR Chinook
salmon, UWR Chinook salmon, LCR
Chinook salmon, CR chum salmon, LCR
coho, SR sockeye salmon, SR steelhead,
UCR steelhead, MCR steelhead, LCR
steelhead, and UWR steelhead. The
objective of the research is to study the
degree to which juvenile salmonids may
be getting stranded by ship wakes along
the lower Columbia River between river
mile 21 and 102. The researchers would
investigate the potential for stranding at
approximately 24 ‘‘high risk’’ sites. The
researchers would also evaluate whether
the strategic placement of dredged
material could reduce the risk of
stranding. The research would benefit
the listed species by helping river
managers determine the likelihood of
juvenile stranding along the lower river
and investigate potential means for
reducing it. Environ would use beach
seines to capture, handle, and release
juvenile fish. Environ may also collect
stranded fish and return them to the
river. Environ 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 16984
ICF International (ICF) is seeking a
five-year research permit to annually
take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS
steelhead. Sampling would take place in
the Snohomish River estuary. The
purpose of the study is to count listed
fish during their peak outmigrations and
thereby determine how well habitat has
been restored by the Smith Island dike
breaching. This research would benefit
the affected species by helping guide
future estuarine habitat restoration and
enhancement projects. The ICF would
use hand-held beach seines and dip nets
to capture the fish. They would be
identified by species, measured, and
released. The researchers do not
propose to kill any of the listed
salmonids being captured, but a small
number may die as an unintended result
of the activities.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Permit 17062—2M
The Northwest Fisheries Science
Center (NWFSC) is seeking to modify a
research permit that currently allows
them to annually take adult and juvenile
PS Chinook salmon, PS steelhead, and
PS/GB bocaccio. The researchers may
also take PS/GB canary rockfish and PS/
GB yelloweye rockfish—species for
which there are currently no ESA take
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Jkt 229001
prohibitions. Sampling would take
place near the northern islands in the
San Juan Island archipelago. The
purpose of the study is to determine
how much genetic variation exists
between coastal and Puget Sound
populations of canary and yelloweye
rockfish. The research would benefit
rockfish by increasing our
understanding of the connectivity (or
lack thereof) between rockfish
populations in the Puget Sound and
populations on the outer coast. The
NWFSC proposes to capture fish using
hook and line equipment at depths of
50–100 meters during slack tides. Fish
would slowly be reeled to the surface to
reduce barotrauma. All Chinook salmon
and steelhead would be immediately
released at the capture site. All captured
ESA-listed rockfish would have a small
portion of their fin tissue removed for
genetics studies and be returned to the
water via rapid submersion techniques.
If an individual of these species is
captured dead or deemed nonviable, it
would be retained for genetic analysis.
The researchers do not propose to kill
any of the listed fish being captured, but
a small number may die as an
unintended result of the activities.
Permit 17258
The Washington State Department of
Natural Resources (WDNR) is seeking a
five-year research permit to annually
take juvenile PS Chinook salmon, HCS
chum salmon, PS steelhead, and OL
sockeye salmon. Sampling would take
place in some of the streams in Clallam,
Jefferson and Grays Harbor counties of
western Washington. The purpose of the
research is to determine the presence of
any fish species in streams located on
lands managed by WDNR. This research
would benefit the affected species by
determining which streams with roadrelated passage barriers contain listed
fish and thus allow DNR to focus its
resources on road improvements that
would best help those species. The
WDNR would use backpack
electrofishing equipment to conduct the
surveys. The shocked fish would be
netted, identified by species, and
released. In most cases, the stream
survey would terminate with the
location of one fish. The researchers do
not propose to kill any of the listed
salmonids being captured, but a small
number may die as an unintended result
of the activities.
Permit 17422
Mary Harenda Environmental
Consulting (MHEC) is seeking a fiveyear research permit to annually take
juvenile PS Chinook salmon and
juvenile and adult PS steelhead.
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Sfmt 4703
67795
Sampling would take place in the
Snohomish River basin. The purpose of
the study is to determine fish presence
and relative abundance at the
Snohomish Basin Mitigation Bank
(SBMB) during spring (high flow) and
summer (low flow). This research would
benefit the affected species by
generating information to help guide
future salmonid habitat restoration
efforts at the SBMB. The MHEC
proposes to use beach seines, dip nets,
and purse seines to capture the fish. The
fish would be identified by species,
measured, and released. The researchers
do not propose to kill any of the listed
salmonids being captured, but a small
number may die as an unintended result
of the activities.
Permit 17451
Hart Crowser, Inc. (HCI) is seeking a
five-year research permit to annually
take juvenile and adult PS Chinook
salmon and PS steelhead. Sampling
would take place in the South Fork
Sauk River watershed upstream of the
confluence with Elliot Creek. The
purpose of the study is to monitor and
analyze river, stream, and lake
conditions during and after the Federal
cleanup of the Monte Cristo Mining
Area (mined from 1889 to 1907) for the
Washington State Department of
Ecology to determine future remedial
actions. This research would benefit the
affected species by documenting aquatic
conditions and thereby guiding future
actions to improve salmonid habitat.
The HCI would use backpack
electrofishing equipment, beach seines,
hook and line, minnow traps, and gill
nets to capture the fish. The fish would
be identified by species, measured, and
released. The researchers do not
propose to kill any of the listed
salmonids being captured, 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: November 8, 2012.
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67796
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 14, 2012 / Notices
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–27696 Filed 11–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC342
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Take of Anadromous Fish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
U.S. Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of a permit
application; request for comments.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
NMFS has received an application for a
permit (Permit 15610) to conduct
research for scientific purposes from the
Oregon State University, Department of
Fisheries and Wildlife (OSU). The
requested permit would affect the
endangered Southern California (SC)
Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of
steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The
public is hereby notified of the
availability of the permit application for
review and comment before NMFS
either approves or disapproves the
application.
SUMMARY:
Written comments on the permit
application must be received at the
appropriate address or fax number (see
ADDRESSES) on or before December 14,
2012.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the
permit application should be sent to
Matt McGoogan, Protected Resources
Division, NMFS, 501 W. Ocean Blvd.,
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802.
Comments may also be sent using email
FRNpermits.1b@noaa.gov or fax
(562.980.4027). The permit application
is available for review, by appointment,
at the foregoing address and is also
available for review online at the
Authorizations and Permits for
Protected Species Web site at https://
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DATES:
Matt
McGoogan at phone number (562) 980–
4026 or email:
matthew.mcgoogan@noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Authority
Issuance of permits, as required by the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531–1543) (ESA), is based on a
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14:41 Nov 13, 2012
Jkt 229001
finding that such permits: (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 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 provide 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.
Permit Application Received
OSU has applied for a permit (Permit
15610) to study steelhead in the Ventura
River watershed in Ventura County,
California. The primary objectives of
this study are to (1) determine if
population genetic structure exists in
the steelhead and rainbow trout
subpopulations in the Ventura Basin, (2)
determine smoltification patterns of
steelhead and rainbow trout in the
Ventura Basin and influence between
the two life history forms, and (3)
determine downstream migration
patterns for steelhead and rainbow trout
and how those patterns may be
influenced by environmental
conditions. Research activities include
(1) Monitoring water temperature, (2)
capturing smolts and adult steelhead in
a migrant trap at the Robles Diversion
Dam, (3) capturing smolts and juvenile
steelhead using a seine in the Ventura
River estuary, (4) capturing smolts and
juvenile steelhead by electrofishing predetermined sample sites throughout the
Ventura River watershed, (5) recording
weight and length of smolts and
juvenile steelhead, (6) removing tissue
(gill and fin clip) samples from smolts
and juvenile steelhead, (7) analyzing fin
clips for genetic structure, (8) analyzing
gill samples for ATPase (decomposition
of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into
adenosine diphosphate and a free
phosphate ion) as an indicator of
smoltification, and (9) inserting Passive
Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags into
smolts and juvenile steelhead. Field
activities for the proposed research will
occur between December 2012 and May
2014. For the proposed study, OSU has
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
requested non-lethal capture and release
of up to 210 juvenile steelhead (30
juvenile steelhead from 7 different sites
over the course of 1 year) for the
purpose of genetic sampling (fin clip),
the capture and release of up to 684
steelhead smolts (342 smolts annually
over 2 years of sampling) and 304
juvenile steelhead (152 juvenile
steelhead annually over 2 years of
sampling) for the purpose of PIT tagging
and tissue (gill/ATPase) sampling,
capture and release of up to 10 adult
steelhead (5 adults annually over 2
years of sampling) for genetic sampling
(fin clip), and up to 40 tissue samples
(fin clip) from adult steelhead carcasses
(20 adult carcasses annually over 2
years of sampling). The unintentional
lethal take that may occur as a result of
research activities is a total of 9 juvenile
steelhead and 16 steelhead smolts.
Overall, no intentional lethal take of
steelhead is expected in association
with any aspect of these research
activities. See the permit application for
greater details on the study and related
methodology.
Dated: November 8, 2012.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–27665 Filed 11–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC343
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Take of Anadromous Fish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Issuance of a scientific research
permit, and notice of availability for
final environmental assessment and
finding of no significant impact.
AGENCY:
This notice is hereby given
that NMFS has issued Permit 14868 to
Mr. Robert Clark, Assistant Regional
Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS), in accordance with the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (ESA). In addition, the Final
Environmental Assessment and Finding
of No Significant Impact associated with
this permit are available to the public.
ADDRESSES: The approved application
for the permit is available on the
Applications and Permits for Protected
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\14NON1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67794-67796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27696]
[[Page 67794]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XC341
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Applications for six new scientific research permits, one
permit modification, and one permit renewal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received eight scientific
research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, the
southern distinct population segment of eulachon, and Puget Sound/
Georgia Basin rockfish. 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 December 14,
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 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 Puget Sound
(PS); 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 PS; threatened UWR, threatened
LCR; threatened UCR; threatened SR; threatened middle Columbia River
(MCR).
Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Hood Canal (HC) summer-run,
threatened Columbia River (CR).
Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Threatened Ozette Lake (OL); endangered
SR.
Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened LCR.
Rockfish: Puget Sound/Georgia Basin (PS/GB) bocaccio (Sebastes
paucispinis); PS/GB canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger), and PS/GB
yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus).
Eulachon: The southern Distinct Populations Segment (DPS) 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 10020-2R
The City of Bellingham (COB) is seeking to renew for five years a
research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook
salmon and PS steelhead. The sampling would take place in Cemetery
Creek, a tributary of Whatcom Creek in Bellingham, WA. The purpose of
the study is to assess the effectiveness of habitat restoration
measures implemented as part of the Whatcom Creek Long-term Restoration
Plan by documenting fish population trends. This research would benefit
the affected species by informing future restoration designs as well as
providing data to support future enhancement projects. The COB proposes
to capture fish using a smolt trap placed in Cemetery Creek. Fish would
be identified by species and measured, have a tissue sample taken (to
determine their origin), and be released. The researchers do not
propose to kill any of the listed salmonids being captured, but a small
number may die as an unintended result of the activities.
Permit 16303
The University of Washington (UW) is seeking a five-year research
permit to annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, HCS chum
salmon, PS steelhead, and PS/GB bocaccio. The UW research may also
cause them to take the following species for which there are currently
no ESA take prohibitions: Southern DPS of Pacific eulachon, PS/GB
canary rockfish, and PS/GB yelloweye rockfish. Sampling would take
place throughout Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The
purpose of the study is to determine the timing and magnitude of size-
selective mortality and other factors that affect growth and survival
during the early marine growth period for salmon. This research would
benefit the affected species by shedding light on the relationship
between salmonid marine mortality, body size, and abundance and thus
aid management and guide recovery efforts for various salmonid
populations. The UW proposes capturing fish by mid-water trawl, beach
seine, and purse seine. The mid-water trawling would be conducted by
Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (CDFO) research vessels
using a mid-water rope trawl during daylight at various depths and
velocities. The mid-water trawl surveys would be coordinated with
surveys in Canadian waters. The beach seining and purse seining are
designed generate data on critical life stages for different stocks and
species of salmon, relate stage-specific size and growth to smolt-adult
returns ratios, and increase our understanding of the underlying
mechanisms that affect growth at these life stages. During the mid-
water trawls, the fish would be identified by species, weighed,
measured for length, and checked for coded wire tags (CWTs). Viable
adult salmon and rockfish would be released. Any juvenile salmon that
suffer lethal injuries would be further sampled for CWTs, scales, fins,
stomach contents, and otoliths. During the beach and purse seining, the
fish would be anesthetized, identified by species, checked for CWTs,
sampled for stomach contents and scale and fin tissues, and released.
All juvenile CWT fish would be intentionally sacrificed to determine
their origins. The researchers do not propose to kill any other
captured fish, but a small number may die as an unintended result of
the activities.
[[Page 67795]]
Permit 16784
Environ International Corporation (Environ) is requesting a one-
year scientific research permit to take juvenile SR fall Chinook
salmon, SR spr/sum Chinook salmon, UCR Chinook salmon, UWR Chinook
salmon, LCR Chinook salmon, CR chum salmon, LCR coho, SR sockeye
salmon, SR steelhead, UCR steelhead, MCR steelhead, LCR steelhead, and
UWR steelhead. The objective of the research is to study the degree to
which juvenile salmonids may be getting stranded by ship wakes along
the lower Columbia River between river mile 21 and 102. The researchers
would investigate the potential for stranding at approximately 24
``high risk'' sites. The researchers would also evaluate whether the
strategic placement of dredged material could reduce the risk of
stranding. The research would benefit the listed species by helping
river managers determine the likelihood of juvenile stranding along the
lower river and investigate potential means for reducing it. Environ
would use beach seines to capture, handle, and release juvenile fish.
Environ may also collect stranded fish and return them to the river.
Environ 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 16984
ICF International (ICF) is seeking a five-year research permit to
annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. Sampling
would take place in the Snohomish River estuary. The purpose of the
study is to count listed fish during their peak outmigrations and
thereby determine how well habitat has been restored by the Smith
Island dike breaching. This research would benefit the affected species
by helping guide future estuarine habitat restoration and enhancement
projects. The ICF would use hand-held beach seines and dip nets to
capture the fish. They would be identified by species, measured, and
released. The researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed
salmonids being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended
result of the activities.
Permit 17062--2M
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is seeking to modify
a research permit that currently allows them to annually take adult and
juvenile PS Chinook salmon, PS steelhead, and PS/GB bocaccio. The
researchers may also take PS/GB canary rockfish and PS/GB yelloweye
rockfish--species for which there are currently no ESA take
prohibitions. Sampling would take place near the northern islands in
the San Juan Island archipelago. The purpose of the study is to
determine how much genetic variation exists between coastal and Puget
Sound populations of canary and yelloweye rockfish. The research would
benefit rockfish by increasing our understanding of the connectivity
(or lack thereof) between rockfish populations in the Puget Sound and
populations on the outer coast. The NWFSC proposes to capture fish
using hook and line equipment at depths of 50-100 meters during slack
tides. Fish would slowly be reeled to the surface to reduce barotrauma.
All Chinook salmon and steelhead would be immediately released at the
capture site. All captured ESA-listed rockfish would have a small
portion of their fin tissue removed for genetics studies and be
returned to the water via rapid submersion techniques. If an individual
of these species is captured dead or deemed nonviable, it would be
retained for genetic analysis. The researchers do not propose to kill
any of the listed fish being captured, but a small number may die as an
unintended result of the activities.
Permit 17258
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is
seeking a five-year research permit to annually take juvenile PS
Chinook salmon, HCS chum salmon, PS steelhead, and OL sockeye salmon.
Sampling would take place in some of the streams in Clallam, Jefferson
and Grays Harbor counties of western Washington. The purpose of the
research is to determine the presence of any fish species in streams
located on lands managed by WDNR. This research would benefit the
affected species by determining which streams with road-related passage
barriers contain listed fish and thus allow DNR to focus its resources
on road improvements that would best help those species. The WDNR would
use backpack electrofishing equipment to conduct the surveys. The
shocked fish would be netted, identified by species, and released. In
most cases, the stream survey would terminate with the location of one
fish. The researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed
salmonids being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended
result of the activities.
Permit 17422
Mary Harenda Environmental Consulting (MHEC) is seeking a five-year
research permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and
juvenile and adult PS steelhead. Sampling would take place in the
Snohomish River basin. The purpose of the study is to determine fish
presence and relative abundance at the Snohomish Basin Mitigation Bank
(SBMB) during spring (high flow) and summer (low flow). This research
would benefit the affected species by generating information to help
guide future salmonid habitat restoration efforts at the SBMB. The MHEC
proposes to use beach seines, dip nets, and purse seines to capture the
fish. The fish would be identified by species, measured, and released.
The researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed salmonids
being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of
the activities.
Permit 17451
Hart Crowser, Inc. (HCI) is seeking a five-year research permit to
annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead.
Sampling would take place in the South Fork Sauk River watershed
upstream of the confluence with Elliot Creek. The purpose of the study
is to monitor and analyze river, stream, and lake conditions during and
after the Federal cleanup of the Monte Cristo Mining Area (mined from
1889 to 1907) for the Washington State Department of Ecology to
determine future remedial actions. This research would benefit the
affected species by documenting aquatic conditions and thereby guiding
future actions to improve salmonid habitat. The HCI would use backpack
electrofishing equipment, beach seines, hook and line, minnow traps,
and gill nets to capture the fish. The fish would be identified by
species, measured, and released. The researchers do not propose to kill
any of the listed salmonids being captured, 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: November 8, 2012.
[[Page 67796]]
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27696 Filed 11-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
