Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 26413-26414 [2014-10574]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 89 / Thursday, May 8, 2014 / Notices commercial sector and charter sector and for determining harvest restrictions in the charter sector (78 FR 75843, December 12, 2013). In addition, the CSP allows leasing of commercial halibut individual fishing quota (IFQ) by eligible charter businesses holding a charter halibut permit (CHP). The IFQ pounds are leased in terms of number of fish, called guided angler fish (GAF), which are determined based on a conversion rate published by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Leased GAF can be used by charter businesses to relax harvest restrictions for their angler clients, since the fish caught under the leased GAF would not be subject to the charter sector-specific size and bag limits that may be imposed—though the noncharter sector size and bag limit restrictions (currently two fish of any size per day) would still apply to charter anglers who are not using GAF. To help inform potential future policy discussions about the CSP, NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center plans to conduct a survey that will collect information on general attitudes toward the CSP and the GAF leasing program from Area 2C and Area 3A charter boat businesses (CHP holders), and ask them to indicate their preferences for hypothetically relaxing specific features of the GAF leasing program that are employed in similar types of programs in both fisheries and non-fisheries contexts. This information could provide valuable information to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council in its evaluation of the current features of the CSP and provide information that may help it evaluate adjustments to the CSP. The survey will also provide a broad gauge of attitudes toward the program and its impacts on the charter sector and anglers. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES II. Method of Collection The method of data collection will be a survey of CHP permit holders implemented through a mail questionnaire. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved information collection). Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 700. Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 350. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:18 May 07, 2014 Jkt 232001 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: May 2, 2014. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–10546 Filed 5–7–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD285 Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Application to modify one scientific research permit. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received one scientific research permit application request relating to Pacific salmon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts. The application may be viewed online at: https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_ open_for_comment.cfm. DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on the applications must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 26413 than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on June 9, 2014. ADDRESSES: Written comments on the application 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): endangered Upper Columbia River (UCR) spring-run. Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened UCR; threatened Snake River (SR); threatened middle Columbia River (MCR). 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 16329—2M The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking to modify a five-year permit that currently allows it to take adult and juvenile fish throughout Oregon. By modifying the permit, they would add adult and juvenile UCR Chinook and steelhead, MCR steelhead, and SR steelhead to the species of fish they may take. The fish would be taken during the course of five possible projects: (1) The E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM 08MYN1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES 26414 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 89 / Thursday, May 8, 2014 / Notices National Streams and Rivers Assessment. This EPA-sponsored survey uses a random sampling design to estimate the health (in terms of water quality and other physical and biological parameters) of streams and rivers around the region and nation. The fish portion of the project looks at species assemblage as an indicator of a system’s overall ecological integrity, evaluates presence of invasive fish species, and evaluates toxic contamination of fish tissue. Field work is planned for this project in 2014 and possibly future years and may involve as many as 60 sites. (2) Oregon Toxics Monitoring Program. This program looks at a range of pollutants in water, river sediments, and fish tissues– including current use and legacy pesticides, estrogenic compounds, pharmaceutical and personal care products, metals, and industrial chemicals such as PCBs, dioxins and furans. The species targeted for this work are typically bass and pikeminnow. Survey sites are typically at the downstream portion of larger rivers and tributaries. This work may involve as many as 20 sites per year. (3) Basins Biological Assessments. The DEQ is developing a monitoring program that looks at a range of environmental health indicators (such as fish species) on a basin scale. This work would feed into that effort. (4) Mixing Zone Surveys. Mixing zones are sections of water bodies downstream of municipal and industrial effluent discharges. The DEQ occasionally monitors fish use and health within and outside mixing zones to evaluate how effectively waste treatment protocols and processes are protecting the environment. Mixing zones are typically found in larger rivers. This work may involve as many as 10 sites per year. (5) Spill impact and cleanup effectiveness evaluations. The DEQ occasionally studies water bodies that have received toxic spills. These surveys could potentially occur in any state water body and could involve as many as five sites per year. The work would benefit fish in a number of different ways–from helping evaluate watershed health to generating information on contaminant concentrations to determining if current water quality protection regulations and methods are sufficiently effective. The DEQ researchers would capture fish using a variety of methods: boat- and backpack electrofishing, hook-and-line angling, and seines. No drugs or anesthesia would be used on the captured fish. The fish would be held very briefly and, except for brief VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:18 May 07, 2014 Jkt 232001 transfers and some minimal measuring and weighing, the animals would not be handled out of water. All fish would be returned to the capture sites as quickly as possible. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed salmonids, 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: May 5, 2014. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–10574 Filed 5–7–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD265 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This EFP would allow commercial fishing vessels from the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance to possess and land barndoor skate, a prohibited species, for the purpose of collecting scientific data on barndoor skate and investigate a premium market for barndoor skate seafood products. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Comments must be received on or before May 23, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: NMFS.GAR.EFP@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments on Barndoor Skate EFP.’’ • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on Barndoor Skate EFP.’’ • Fax: (978) 281–9135. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carly Bari, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978–281–9224, carly.bari@ noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance submitted a complete application for an EFP on April 11, 2014. The EFP would authorize 14 vessels to possess and land barndoor skate, which would otherwise be prohibited in accordance with 50 CFR 648.322(e)(1). The project entitled ‘‘Research into life history characteristics, catch composition, and fishing mortality of barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis) in existing non-directed gillnet fisheries and initial analysis and development of market for barndoor skate seafood products,’’ would allow fishermen to retain barndoor skate on their Northeast multispecies and monkfish fishing trips to obtain scientific data including where and when barndoor skates are caught, collect barndoor skate length, weight, and sex data, and collect fish health condition data. In addition, vessels would have restricted authorization to land barndoor skate to evaluate if a premium market can be developed for barndoor skate seafood products (primarily wings). There has been increasing evidence in the Northeast Fisheries Science Center trawl surveys and observed discard data that barndoor skate populations have been recovering. However, the stock is not yet rebuilt. The applicant has requested the exemption to improve the understanding of the barndoor skate resource, and to investigate a premium barndoor skate market without increasing barndoor skate mortality. Data would be collected by participating vessels using gillnet gear for at least 25 trips during each quarter of the fishing year. The study area would include the late winter/early spring fishing grounds in southern New England and the summer/fall fishing grounds on Georges Bank. All trips would take place in the following statistical areas: 521, 526, 533, 534, 537, DATES: E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM 08MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26413-26414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10574]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD285


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Application to modify one scientific research permit.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received one scientific 
research permit application request relating to Pacific salmon. The 
proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed 
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and 
conservation efforts. The application may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.

DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on the applications 
must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see 
ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on June 9, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the application 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): endangered Upper 
Columbia River (UCR) spring-run.
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened UCR; threatened Snake River (SR); 
threatened middle Columbia River (MCR).

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 16329--2M

    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking to 
modify a five-year permit that currently allows it to take adult and 
juvenile fish throughout Oregon. By modifying the permit, they would 
add adult and juvenile UCR Chinook and steelhead, MCR steelhead, and SR 
steelhead to the species of fish they may take. The fish would be taken 
during the course of five possible projects: (1) The

[[Page 26414]]

National Streams and Rivers Assessment. This EPA-sponsored survey uses 
a random sampling design to estimate the health (in terms of water 
quality and other physical and biological parameters) of streams and 
rivers around the region and nation. The fish portion of the project 
looks at species assemblage as an indicator of a system's overall 
ecological integrity, evaluates presence of invasive fish species, and 
evaluates toxic contamination of fish tissue. Field work is planned for 
this project in 2014 and possibly future years and may involve as many 
as 60 sites. (2) Oregon Toxics Monitoring Program. This program looks 
at a range of pollutants in water, river sediments, and fish tissues-
including current use and legacy pesticides, estrogenic compounds, 
pharmaceutical and personal care products, metals, and industrial 
chemicals such as PCBs, dioxins and furans. The species targeted for 
this work are typically bass and pikeminnow. Survey sites are typically 
at the downstream portion of larger rivers and tributaries. This work 
may involve as many as 20 sites per year. (3) Basins Biological 
Assessments. The DEQ is developing a monitoring program that looks at a 
range of environmental health indicators (such as fish species) on a 
basin scale. This work would feed into that effort. (4) Mixing Zone 
Surveys. Mixing zones are sections of water bodies downstream of 
municipal and industrial effluent discharges. The DEQ occasionally 
monitors fish use and health within and outside mixing zones to 
evaluate how effectively waste treatment protocols and processes are 
protecting the environment. Mixing zones are typically found in larger 
rivers. This work may involve as many as 10 sites per year. (5) Spill 
impact and cleanup effectiveness evaluations. The DEQ occasionally 
studies water bodies that have received toxic spills. These surveys 
could potentially occur in any state water body and could involve as 
many as five sites per year.
    The work would benefit fish in a number of different ways-from 
helping evaluate watershed health to generating information on 
contaminant concentrations to determining if current water quality 
protection regulations and methods are sufficiently effective. The DEQ 
researchers would capture fish using a variety of methods: boat- and 
backpack electrofishing, hook-and-line angling, and seines. No drugs or 
anesthesia would be used on the captured fish. The fish would be held 
very briefly and, except for brief transfers and some minimal measuring 
and weighing, the animals would not be handled out of water. All fish 
would be returned to the capture sites as quickly as possible. The 
researchers do not intend to kill any listed salmonids, 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: May 5, 2014.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-10574 Filed 5-7-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.