Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 69374-69376 [2013-27658]

Download as PDF TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 69374 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 19, 2013 / Notices with its recommendations for the improvement of the Award process. The agenda will include: Report from the Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Baldrige Program Business Plan Status Report, Baldrige Foundation Fundraising Update, Products and Services Update, and Recommendations for the NIST Director. The agenda may change to accommodate Board business. The final agenda will be posted on the NIST Baldrige Performance Excellence Web site at https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/ community/overseers.cfm. The meeting will be open to the public. Individuals and representatives of organizations who would like to offer comments and suggestions related to the Board’s affairs are invited to request a place on the agenda. On December 9, 2013 approximately one-half hour will be reserved in the afternoon for public comments, and speaking times will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The amount of time per speaker will be determined by the number of requests received, but is likely to be about 3 minutes each. The exact time for public comments will be included in the final agenda that will be posted on the Baldrige Web site at https:// www.nist.gov/baldrige/community/ overseers.cfm. Questions from the public will not be considered during this period. Speakers who wish to expand upon their oral statements, those who had wished to speak, but could not be accommodated on the agenda, and those who were unable to attend in person are invited to submit written statements to the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899–1020, via fax at 301–975–4967 or electronically by email to nancy.young@ nist.gov. All visitors to the National Institute of Standards and Technology site will have to pre-register to be admitted. Please submit your name, time of arrival, email address and phone number to Nancy Young no later than Monday, December 2, 2013, and she will provide you with instructions for admittance. Non-U.S. citizens must also submit their passport number, country of citizenship, title, employer/sponsor, address and telephone. Ms. Young’s email address is nancy.young@nist.gov and her phone number is (301) 975– 2361. Dated: November 14, 2013. Willie May, Associate Director for Laboratory Programs. [FR Doc. 2013–27698 Filed 11–18–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Nov 18, 2013 Jkt 232001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC973 Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Applications for four new scientific research permits, two permit modifications, and three research permit renewals. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received nine scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, sturgeon, rockfish, and 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 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 19, 2013. 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. SUMMARY: 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 California Coastal (CC); threatened Central Valley spring-run (CVS); threatened Lower Columbia River (LCR); threatened Puget Sound (PS); endangered Sacramento River winter-run (SRW); threatened Snake River (SR) fall-run; threatened SR spring/summer-run (spr/sum); endangered Upper Columbia River PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (UCR) spring-run; threatened Upper Willamette River (UWR). Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened UCR; threatened SR; threatened middle Columbia River (MCR); threatened California Central Valley (CCV); threatened Central California Coast (CCC); threatened LCR; threatened Northern California (NC); threatened PS; threatened South-Central California Coast (SCC); threatened UWR. Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Endangered SR; threatened Ozette Lake (OL). Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Columbia River (CR); threatened Hood Canal summer-run (HCS). Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Endangered CCC; threatened LCR; threatened Oregon Coast (OC); threatened Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC). Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): Threatened southern (S). Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris): Threatened southern (S). Rockfish (Sebastes spp.): Endangered Puget Sound/Georgia Basin (PS/GB) bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis); threatened PS/GB canary rockfish (S. pinniger); threatened PS/GB yelloweye rockfish (S. ruberrimus). 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 1484–6R The Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is seeking to renew permit 1484 for a period of five years. The current permit has been in place for five years with one amendment; it expires on December 31, 2013. Under the new permit, the WDNR would conduct research that would E:\FR\FM\19NON1.SGM 19NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 19, 2013 / Notices annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon, LCR Chinook salmon, LCR coho salmon, LCR steelhead, and CR chum salmon in WDNR-managed forest lands in the state of Washington. The purpose of the research is to conduct surveys to correctly identify stream types. By correctly identifying stream types, the WDNR could potentially benefit listed species by increasing the size of riparian zones and thus protecting habitat needed for healthy salmonid populations. In addition, any new data regarding listed species presence would be used to inform land management decisions and better protect species from the effects of those actions. The WDNR proposes to capture the fish (using backpack electrofishing), identify, and release them. The WDNR does not intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended consequence of the proposed activities. TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Permit 14046–2R The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (KCDNRP) is seeking to renew a five-year permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. They would sample fish in four Puget Sound subbasins (Snoqualmie, Lake Washington, Duwamish, and Puyallup) in King County, Washington. The purposes of the study are to: (1) Evaluate the effectiveness of restoration actions, (2) better understand the importance of offchannel habitats in providing habitat, and (3) assess salmonid habitat status and trends in small streams with varying degrees of land use. The research would benefit listed species by guiding future restoration projects so they might provide the greatest benefit to listed species. The KCDNRP proposes to capture fish using beach seines, fyke nets, minnow traps, and both backpackand boat-operated electrofishing. The captured fish would be anaesthetized, identified to species, allowed to recover, 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 consequence of the proposed activities. Permit 16751–2R The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking to renew a five-year permit to annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, HCS chum salmon, and PS steelhead. The USGS’s research may also cause them to take listed eulachon—a species for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. Sampling sites would be in the Cedar, Dungeness, Nooksack, Skagit, Skykomish, Snohomish, VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Nov 18, 2013 Jkt 232001 Snoqualmie, and Stillaguamish river systems of the Puget Sound. The purpose of the study is to identify and assess Pacific lamprey distribution in these watersheds. The research would benefit the listed species by providing managers with information about their distribution and numbers. The main benefactor of this research would be Pacific lamprey because the information generated by the research would be used to help guide conservation measures and land-use activities in ways that conserve lamprey and their habitat; however, because the listed species also use that habitat, any such measures would also benefit them. The USGS proposes to capture fish using backpack electrofishing and seines. Sampling would target silt-mud substrates that are preferred habitats for juvenile lamprey. The research would take place during the late summer and fall before peak lamprey emigration. Electrofishing methods would be modified to target juvenile lamprey and would thus be unlikely to affect, let alone harm, other fish species. A subsample of the captured lamprey would be measured and weighed (up to 30 per site) and up to five fish per site may be tissue sampled or sacrificed. All other fish (including all listed fish) would immediately be released at the capture site. The researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed species being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of the proposed activities. Permit 16984–3M The ICF International (ICFI) is seeking to modify a five-year permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. The researchers would conduct sampling in the Snohomish River estuary. The purpose of the study is to measure restored habitat functionality in the wake of the Smith Island dike breaching. The researchers would gauge species abundance and examine juvenile salmonid age classes during peak outmigration. This research would benefit the affected species by providing data to guide future estuarine habitat restoration and enhancement projects. The ICFI proposes to capture fish using hand-held beach seines and dip nets. Fish would be identified to 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 17062–3M The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is seeking to modify a PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69375 2-year research permit to annually take adult and juvenile HCS chum, PS Chinook salmon, and PS steelhead, and adult PS/GB bocaccio. The researchers may also take adult PS/GB canary rockfish and PS/GB yelloweye rockfish—species for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. Sampling would take place throughout the Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Hood Canal. The purpose of the study is to determine how much genetic variation exists between coastal and Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS populations of bocaccio, canary rockfish, 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 along rocky bottom habitat. Fish would slowly be reeled to the surface to reduce barotrauma. All salmon and steelhead would be immediately released at the capture site. All captured ESA-listed rockfish would be measured, sexed, have a tissue sample taken, floy tagged, and 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 18038 The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) is seeking a fiveyear research permit to annually take all individuals from all the salmonid species listed at the beginning of this notice along with S green sturgeon. They may also take S eulachon—a species for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. All take for salmon and steelhead would be subadult and adults, and all take for green sturgeon and eulachon would be adult. The surveys would range from the northern California to the Washington coast in coastal waters shallower than 1,000 meters. The purpose of the study is to collaborate with gear researchers and fishermen to develop devices and or methods for reducing bycatch in West Coast groundfish trawl fisheries. The research would benefit listed fish by determining the best ways to reduce bycatch. The PSMFC proposes capturing fish using mid-water and bottom trawls. Fish would be identified to species, have a tissue or scale sample taken, and be released. The researchers do not E:\FR\FM\19NON1.SGM 19NON1 69376 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 19, 2013 / Notices propose to kill any of the listed species being captured, but given the nature of the capture methods, some individuals would likely be killed. TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Permit 18194 The Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) is seeking a five-year permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and juvenile and adult PS steelhead. The sampling would take place in selected stream channels and floodplain areas throughout the Stillaguamish River watershed in Washington State. The purpose of the study is to classify by water type approximately 25 miles of stream channel in selected sub-basins and floodplain areas of the Stillaguamish River with the intent of verifying and updating Washington Department of Natural Resources, Snohomish County, and United States Forest Service stream classifications and hydrological layers. This research would benefit the affected species by improving regulatory protection of sensitive aquatic habitats for ESA listed Chinook and steelhead, improving our knowledge of Chinook habitat use (and thereby informing various recovery strategies), and identifying significant habitat restoration opportunities. The WFC proposes to capture fish using beach seines, fyke nets, and minnow traps. Fish would be anesthetized, identified to species, measured to size class, have a tissue sample taken, 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 18331 The WFC is seeking a five-year permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead in selected stream channels and floodplain areas throughout the Kitsap and Snoqualmie sub-basins in Washington State. The purpose of the study is to classify existing channels by water type and thereby validate and update Washington Department of Natural Resources, and affected county and city, stream classifications and hydrological layers. This research would benefit the affected species by filling data gaps regarding fish passage impediments (tidegates, culverts, etc.) and providing fish species composition and distribution— information needed to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration projects. The WFC proposes to capture fish using backpack electrofishing. Fish would be identified to species, have a tissue sample taken (only steelhead in the Kitsap sub-basin), and released. Once fish presence is established, either VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Nov 18, 2013 Jkt 232001 through visual observation or electrofishing, electrofishing would be discontinued. Surveyors would proceed upstream until a change in habitat parameters is encountered, where electrofishing would be continued. 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. Dated: November 14, 2013. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Permit 18405 The Oregon State University (OSU) is seeking a two-year permit to annually take juvenile LCR, PS, and UCR Chinook salmon; CR chum salmon; LCR coho salmon; and LCR, MCR, PS, SRB, and UCR steelhead. The OSU research may also cause them to take adult S eulachon—a species for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. The sampling would take place in multiple locations in the Puget Sound (Stillaguamish, Skykomish, Duwamish, and Nisqually watersheds), Washington coast (Sol Duc, Queets, Quinault, Chehalis, and Willapa watersheds), and Columbia River basin (Cowlitz, Klickitat, Yakima, Wenatchee, Spokane, and Palouse watersheds). The purpose of the study is to determine the taxonomic status of Pacific Northwest coastal populations of Speckled Dace based on genetic and morphological data. The genetic sequence data would be used to better understand the historical biogeography of coastal Speckled Dace, improve the understanding of how coastal streams contribute to local species diversity and endemism, and to compare coastal to inland Speckled Dace populations. The research would benefit the listed species by providing information on their distribution, but the main benefactor of this research would be speckled dace by providing taxonomical and distributional data for that species. The OSU proposes to capture fish using small seine nets, dip nets, and minnow traps. All non-target species and listed salmon and steelhead would immediately be released after capture. 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. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2013–27658 Filed 11–18–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [Docket No. 130926840–3840–01] RIN 0648–XC898 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List 19 Species and 3 Subpopulations of Sharks as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition finding, request for information. AGENCY: We (NMFS) announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list 19 species and 3 subpopulations of sharks as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted for 9 species: Centrophorus harrissoni, Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus, Mustelus fasciatus, Mustelus schmitti, Squatina aculeata, Squatina argentina, Squatina guggenheim, Squatina oculata, and Squatina squatina. Therefore, we will conduct a status review of the nine species to determine if the petitioned action is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining to these petitioned species from any interested party. We find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted for 10 species and 3 subpopulations: Carcharhinus borneensis, Carcharhinus hemiodon, Carcharias taurus (Southwest Atlantic subpopulation), Cetorhinus maximus (North Pacific subpopulation), Cetorhinus maximus (Northeast Atlantic subpopulation), Haploblepharus kistnasamyi, Hemitriakis leucoperiptera, Holohalaelurus favus, Holohalaelurus punctatus, Lamiopsis temmincki, Squatina formosa, Squatina punctata, and Triakis acutipinna. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19NON1.SGM 19NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69374-69376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27658]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC973


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Applications for four new scientific research permits, two 
permit modifications, and three research permit renewals.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received nine scientific 
research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, 
sturgeon, rockfish, and 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 
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 19, 
2013.

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 California 
Coastal (CC); threatened Central Valley spring-run (CVS); threatened 
Lower Columbia River (LCR); threatened Puget Sound (PS); endangered 
Sacramento River winter-run (SRW); threatened Snake River (SR) fall-
run; threatened SR spring/summer-run (spr/sum); endangered Upper 
Columbia River (UCR) spring-run; threatened Upper Willamette River 
(UWR).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened UCR; threatened SR; threatened 
middle Columbia River (MCR); threatened California Central Valley 
(CCV); threatened Central California Coast (CCC); threatened LCR; 
threatened Northern California (NC); threatened PS; threatened South-
Central California Coast (SCC); threatened UWR.
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Endangered SR; threatened Ozette Lake 
(OL).
    Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Columbia River (CR); threatened 
Hood Canal summer-run (HCS).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Endangered CCC; threatened LCR; 
threatened Oregon Coast (OC); threatened Southern Oregon/Northern 
California Coast (SONCC).
    Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): Threatened southern (S).
    Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris): Threatened southern (S).
    Rockfish (Sebastes spp.): Endangered Puget Sound/Georgia Basin (PS/
GB) bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis); threatened PS/GB canary rockfish 
(S. pinniger); threatened PS/GB yelloweye rockfish (S. ruberrimus).

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 1484-6R

    The Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is seeking to 
renew permit 1484 for a period of five years. The current permit has 
been in place for five years with one amendment; it expires on December 
31, 2013. Under the new permit, the WDNR would conduct research that 
would

[[Page 69375]]

annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon, LCR Chinook salmon, LCR coho 
salmon, LCR steelhead, and CR chum salmon in WDNR-managed forest lands 
in the state of Washington. The purpose of the research is to conduct 
surveys to correctly identify stream types. By correctly identifying 
stream types, the WDNR could potentially benefit listed species by 
increasing the size of riparian zones and thus protecting habitat 
needed for healthy salmonid populations. In addition, any new data 
regarding listed species presence would be used to inform land 
management decisions and better protect species from the effects of 
those actions. The WDNR proposes to capture the fish (using backpack 
electrofishing), identify, and release them. The WDNR does not intend 
to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small number may die as 
an unintended consequence of the proposed activities.

Permit 14046-2R

    The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (KCDNRP) 
is seeking to renew a five-year permit to annually take juvenile PS 
Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. They would sample fish in four Puget 
Sound sub-basins (Snoqualmie, Lake Washington, Duwamish, and Puyallup) 
in King County, Washington. The purposes of the study are to: (1) 
Evaluate the effectiveness of restoration actions, (2) better 
understand the importance of off-channel habitats in providing habitat, 
and (3) assess salmonid habitat status and trends in small streams with 
varying degrees of land use. The research would benefit listed species 
by guiding future restoration projects so they might provide the 
greatest benefit to listed species. The KCDNRP proposes to capture fish 
using beach seines, fyke nets, minnow traps, and both backpack- and 
boat-operated electrofishing. The captured fish would be anaesthetized, 
identified to species, allowed to recover, 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 consequence of 
the proposed activities.

Permit 16751-2R

    The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking to renew a 
five-year permit to annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, 
HCS chum salmon, and PS steelhead. The USGS's research may also cause 
them to take listed eulachon--a species for which there are currently 
no ESA take prohibitions. Sampling sites would be in the Cedar, 
Dungeness, Nooksack, Skagit, Skykomish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, and 
Stillaguamish river systems of the Puget Sound. The purpose of the 
study is to identify and assess Pacific lamprey distribution in these 
watersheds. The research would benefit the listed species by providing 
managers with information about their distribution and numbers. The 
main benefactor of this research would be Pacific lamprey because the 
information generated by the research would be used to help guide 
conservation measures and land-use activities in ways that conserve 
lamprey and their habitat; however, because the listed species also use 
that habitat, any such measures would also benefit them. The USGS 
proposes to capture fish using backpack electrofishing and seines. 
Sampling would target silt-mud substrates that are preferred habitats 
for juvenile lamprey. The research would take place during the late 
summer and fall before peak lamprey emigration. Electrofishing methods 
would be modified to target juvenile lamprey and would thus be unlikely 
to affect, let alone harm, other fish species. A subsample of the 
captured lamprey would be measured and weighed (up to 30 per site) and 
up to five fish per site may be tissue sampled or sacrificed. All other 
fish (including all listed fish) would immediately be released at the 
capture site. The researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed 
species being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended 
result of the proposed activities.

Permit 16984-3M

    The ICF International (ICFI) is seeking to modify a five-year 
permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon 
and PS steelhead. The researchers would conduct sampling in the 
Snohomish River estuary. The purpose of the study is to measure 
restored habitat functionality in the wake of the Smith Island dike 
breaching. The researchers would gauge species abundance and examine 
juvenile salmonid age classes during peak outmigration. This research 
would benefit the affected species by providing data to guide future 
estuarine habitat restoration and enhancement projects. The ICFI 
proposes to capture fish using hand-held beach seines and dip nets. 
Fish would be identified to 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 17062-3M

    The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is seeking to modify 
a 2-year research permit to annually take adult and juvenile HCS chum, 
PS Chinook salmon, and PS steelhead, and adult PS/GB bocaccio. The 
researchers may also take adult PS/GB canary rockfish and PS/GB 
yelloweye rockfish--species for which there are currently no ESA take 
prohibitions. Sampling would take place throughout the Puget Sound, the 
Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Hood Canal. The purpose of the study is to 
determine how much genetic variation exists between coastal and Puget 
Sound/Georgia Basin DPS populations of bocaccio, canary rockfish, 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 along rocky bottom habitat. Fish would 
slowly be reeled to the surface to reduce barotrauma. All salmon and 
steelhead would be immediately released at the capture site. All 
captured ESA-listed rockfish would be measured, sexed, have a tissue 
sample taken, floy tagged, and 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 18038

    The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) is seeking a 
five-year research permit to annually take all individuals from all the 
salmonid species listed at the beginning of this notice along with S 
green sturgeon. They may also take S eulachon--a species for which 
there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. All take for salmon and 
steelhead would be subadult and adults, and all take for green sturgeon 
and eulachon would be adult. The surveys would range from the northern 
California to the Washington coast in coastal waters shallower than 
1,000 meters. The purpose of the study is to collaborate with gear 
researchers and fishermen to develop devices and or methods for 
reducing bycatch in West Coast groundfish trawl fisheries. The research 
would benefit listed fish by determining the best ways to reduce 
bycatch. The PSMFC proposes capturing fish using mid-water and bottom 
trawls. Fish would be identified to species, have a tissue or scale 
sample taken, and be released. The researchers do not

[[Page 69376]]

propose to kill any of the listed species being captured, but given the 
nature of the capture methods, some individuals would likely be killed.

Permit 18194

    The Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) is seeking a five-year permit to 
annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and juvenile and adult PS 
steelhead. The sampling would take place in selected stream channels 
and floodplain areas throughout the Stillaguamish River watershed in 
Washington State. The purpose of the study is to classify by water type 
approximately 25 miles of stream channel in selected sub-basins and 
floodplain areas of the Stillaguamish River with the intent of 
verifying and updating Washington Department of Natural Resources, 
Snohomish County, and United States Forest Service stream 
classifications and hydrological layers. This research would benefit 
the affected species by improving regulatory protection of sensitive 
aquatic habitats for ESA listed Chinook and steelhead, improving our 
knowledge of Chinook habitat use (and thereby informing various 
recovery strategies), and identifying significant habitat restoration 
opportunities. The WFC proposes to capture fish using beach seines, 
fyke nets, and minnow traps. Fish would be anesthetized, identified to 
species, measured to size class, have a tissue sample taken, 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 18331

    The WFC is seeking a five-year permit to annually take juvenile PS 
Chinook salmon and PS steelhead in selected stream channels and 
floodplain areas throughout the Kitsap and Snoqualmie sub-basins in 
Washington State. The purpose of the study is to classify existing 
channels by water type and thereby validate and update Washington 
Department of Natural Resources, and affected county and city, stream 
classifications and hydrological layers. This research would benefit 
the affected species by filling data gaps regarding fish passage 
impediments (tidegates, culverts, etc.) and providing fish species 
composition and distribution--information needed to identify, 
prioritize, and implement restoration projects. The WFC proposes to 
capture fish using backpack electrofishing. Fish would be identified to 
species, have a tissue sample taken (only steelhead in the Kitsap sub-
basin), and released. Once fish presence is established, either through 
visual observation or electrofishing, electrofishing would be 
discontinued. Surveyors would proceed upstream until a change in 
habitat parameters is encountered, where electrofishing would be 
continued. 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 18405

    The Oregon State University (OSU) is seeking a two-year permit to 
annually take juvenile LCR, PS, and UCR Chinook salmon; CR chum salmon; 
LCR coho salmon; and LCR, MCR, PS, SRB, and UCR steelhead. The OSU 
research may also cause them to take adult S eulachon--a species for 
which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. The sampling would 
take place in multiple locations in the Puget Sound (Stillaguamish, 
Skykomish, Duwamish, and Nisqually watersheds), Washington coast (Sol 
Duc, Queets, Quinault, Chehalis, and Willapa watersheds), and Columbia 
River basin (Cowlitz, Klickitat, Yakima, Wenatchee, Spokane, and 
Palouse watersheds). The purpose of the study is to determine the 
taxonomic status of Pacific Northwest coastal populations of Speckled 
Dace based on genetic and morphological data. The genetic sequence data 
would be used to better understand the historical biogeography of 
coastal Speckled Dace, improve the understanding of how coastal streams 
contribute to local species diversity and endemism, and to compare 
coastal to inland Speckled Dace populations. The research would benefit 
the listed species by providing information on their distribution, but 
the main benefactor of this research would be speckled dace by 
providing taxonomical and distributional data for that species. The OSU 
proposes to capture fish using small seine nets, dip nets, and minnow 
traps. All non-target species and listed salmon and steelhead would 
immediately be released after capture. 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 14, 2013.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-27658 Filed 11-18-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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