Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List Chinook Salmon in the Upper Klamath-Trinity Rivers Basin as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act, 8410-8414 [2018-03906]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8410-8414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03906]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 223 and 224

[Docket No. 171128999-8169-01]
RIN 0648-XF872


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition 
To List Chinook Salmon in the Upper Klamath-Trinity Rivers Basin as 
Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 8411]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION: 90-Day petition finding, request for information, and 
initiation of status review.

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SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list as 
threatened or endangered the Upper Klamath-Trinity Rivers (UKTR) 
Chinook salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) (Oncorhynchus 
tshawytscha) or, alternatively, create a new ESU to describe Klamath 
Spring Chinook salmon and list the new ESU as threatened or endangered 
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The petition also requests that 
we designate critical habitat concurrently with the listing. We find 
that the petition presents substantial scientific information 
indicating the petitioned actions may be warranted. We will conduct a 
status review of the Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin to determine if 
the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that the status review 
is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial 
information pertaining to this species from any interested party.

DATES: Scientific and commercial information pertinent to the 
petitioned action must be received by April 30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
``Upper Klamath-Trinity Rivers Chinook Petition (NOAA-NMFS-2018-
0002),'' by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0002, click the ``Comment Now'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail or hand-delivery: Protected Resources Division, West 
Coast Region, NMFS, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite #1100, Portland, OR 
97232. Attn: Gary Rule.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on https://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. We will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Electronic copies of the petition and 
other materials are available on the NMFS West Coast Region website at 
www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov. Please direct other inquiries to Gary 
Rule, NMFS West Coast Region at [email protected], (503) 230-5424; or 
Maggie Miller, NMFS Office of Protected Resources at 
[email protected], (301) 427-8457.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On November 2, 2017, the Secretary of Commerce received a petition 
from the Karuk Tribe and Salmon River Restoration Council (hereafter, 
the Petitioners) to list as threatened or endangered the UKTR Chinook 
salmon ESU or, alternatively, create and list a new ESU to describe 
Klamath Spring Chinook salmon. In their petition, the Petitioners used 
various phrases as well as ``Klamath Spring Chinook'' to describe the 
area in which they are requesting that we create a new ESU for spring-
run Chinook salmon. Because their request is generally made in 
reference to the spring-run Chinook salmon component of the UKTR ESU of 
Chinook salmon, we will use the description of the currently defined 
ESU to describe the area in which the Petitioners are requesting that 
we create a new spring-run Chinook salmon ESU. We will hereinafter 
refer to that area as the UKTR Basin. We described all Klamath River 
Basin populations of Chinook salmon from the Trinity River and Klamath 
River upstream from the confluence of the Trinity River as the UKTR 
ESU, which includes both spring-run and fall-run fish (63 FR 11482; 
March 9, 1998). The Petitioners also request designation of critical 
habitat concurrently with the listing. Copies of the petition are 
available as described above (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

ESA Statutory, Regulatory, Policy Provisions, and Evaluation Framework

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.), requires, to the maximum extent practicable, that within 90 
days of receipt of a petition to list a species as threatened or 
endangered, the Secretary of Commerce make a finding on whether that 
petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information 
indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted, and to promptly 
publish such finding in the Federal Register (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(A)). 
When it is found that substantial scientific or commercial information 
in a petition indicates the petitioned action may be warranted (a 
``positive 90-day finding''), we are required to promptly commence a 
review of the status of the species concerned during which we will 
conduct a comprehensive review of the best available scientific and 
commercial information. In such cases, we conclude the review with a 
finding as to whether, in fact, the petitioned action is warranted 
within 12 months of receipt of the petition. Because the finding at the 
12-month stage is based on a more thorough review of the available 
information, as compared to the narrow scope of review at the 90-day 
stage, a ``may be warranted'' finding does not prejudge the outcome of 
the status review.
    Under the ESA, a listing determination may address a species, which 
is defined to also include subspecies and, for any vertebrate species, 
any distinct population segment (DPS) that interbreeds when mature (16 
U.S.C. 1532(16)). In 1991, we issued the Policy on Applying the 
Definition of Species Under the Endangered Species Act to Pacific 
Salmon (ESU Policy; 56 FR 58612; November 20, 1991), which explains 
that a Pacific salmon population will be considered a DPS, and hence a 
``species'' under the ESA, if it represents an ``evolutionarily 
significant unit'' of the biological species. The two criteria for 
delineating an ESU are: (1) It is substantially reproductively isolated 
from other conspecific populations, and (2) it represents an important 
component in the evolutionary legacy of the species. The ESU Policy was 
used to define the UKTR Chinook salmon ESU in 1998 (63 FR 11482; March 
9, 1998), and we use it exclusively for defining distinct population 
segments of Pacific salmon. A joint NMFS-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(USFWS) (jointly, ``the Services'') policy clarifies the Services' 
interpretation of the phrase ``distinct population segment'' for the 
purposes of listing, delisting, and reclassifying a species under the 
ESA (DPS Policy; 61 FR 4722; February 7, 1996). In announcing this 
policy, the Services indicated that the ESU Policy for Pacific salmon 
was consistent with the DPS Policy and that NMFS would continue to use 
the ESU Policy for Pacific salmon.
    A species, subspecies, DPS, or ESU is ``endangered'' if it is in 
danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its 
range, and ``threatened'' if it is likely to become endangered within 
the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its 
range (ESA sections 3(6) and 3(20), respectively, 16 U.S.C. 1532(6) and 
(20)). Pursuant to the

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ESA and our implementing regulations, we determine whether species are 
threatened or endangered based on any one or a combination of the 
following five ESA section 4(a)(1) factors: The present or threatened 
destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat or range; 
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; disease or predation; inadequacy of existing 
regulatory mechanisms to address identified threats; or any other 
natural or manmade factors affecting the species' existence (16 U.S.C. 
1533(a)(1), 50 CFR 424.11(c)).
    ESA-implementing regulations issued jointly by NMFS and USFWS (50 
CFR 424.14(h)(1)(i)) define substantial scientific or commercial 
information in the context of reviewing a petition to list, delist, or 
reclassify a species as credible scientific or commercial information 
in support of the petition's claims such that a reasonable person 
conducting an impartial scientific review would conclude that the 
action proposed in the petition may be warranted. Conclusions drawn in 
the petition without the support of credible scientific or commercial 
information will not be considered ``substantial information.'' In 
reaching the initial (90-day) finding on the petition, we will consider 
the information described in sections 50 CFR 424.14(c), (d), and (g) 
(if applicable).
    Our determination as to whether the petition provides substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned 
action may be warranted will depend in part on the degree to which the 
petition includes the following types of information: (1) Information 
on current population status and trends and estimates of current 
population sizes and distributions, both in captivity and the wild, if 
available; (2) identification of the factors under section 4(a)(1) of 
the ESA that may affect the species and where these factors are acting 
upon the species; (3) whether and to what extent any or all of the 
factors alone or in combination identified in section 4(a)(1) of the 
ESA may cause the species to be an endangered species or threatened 
species (i.e., the species is currently in danger of extinction or is 
likely to become so within the foreseeable future), and, if so, how 
high in magnitude and how imminent the threats to the species and its 
habitat are; (4) information on adequacy of regulatory protections and 
effectiveness of conservation activities by States as well as other 
parties, that have been initiated or that are ongoing, that may protect 
the species or its habitat; and (5) a complete, balanced representation 
of the relevant facts, including information that may contradict claims 
in the petition. See 50 CFR 424.14(d).
    If the petitioner provides supplemental information before the 
initial finding is made and states that it is part of the petition, the 
new information, along with the previously submitted information, is 
treated as a new petition that supersedes the original petition, and 
the statutory timeframes will begin when such supplemental information 
is received. See 50 CFR 424.14(g).
    We may also consider information readily available at the time the 
determination is made. We are not required to consider any supporting 
materials cited by the petitioner if the petitioner does not provide 
electronic or hard copies, to the extent permitted by U.S. copyright 
law, or appropriate excerpts or quotations from those materials (e.g., 
publications, maps, reports, letters from authorities). See 50 CFR 
424.14(c)(6).
    The ``substantial scientific or commercial information'' standard 
must be applied in light of any prior reviews or findings we have made 
on the listing status of the species that is the subject of the 
petition. Where we have already conducted a finding on, or review of, 
the listing status of that species (whether in response to a petition 
or on our own initiative), we will evaluate any petition received 
thereafter seeking to list, delist, or reclassify that species to 
determine whether a reasonable person conducting an impartial 
scientific review would conclude that the action proposed in the 
petition may be warranted despite the previous review or finding. Where 
the prior review resulted in a final agency action--such as a final 
listing determination, 90-day not-substantial finding, or 12-month not-
warranted finding--a petitioned action will generally not be considered 
to present substantial scientific and commercial information indicating 
that the action may be warranted unless the petition provides new 
information or analyses not previously considered.
    At the 90-day finding stage, we do not conduct additional research, 
and we do not solicit information from parties outside the agency to 
help us in evaluating the petition. We will accept the petitioners' 
sources and characterizations of the information presented if they 
appear to be based on accepted scientific principles, unless we have 
specific information in our files that indicates the petition's 
information is incorrect, unreliable, obsolete, or otherwise irrelevant 
to the requested action. Information that is susceptible to more than 
one interpretation or that is contradicted by other available 
information will not be dismissed at the 90-day finding stage, so long 
as it is reliable and a reasonable person conducting an impartial 
scientific review would conclude it supports the petitioners' 
assertions. In other words, conclusive information indicating the 
species may meet the ESA's requirements for listing is not required to 
make a positive 90-day finding. We will not conclude that a lack of 
specific information alone necessitates a negative 90-day finding if a 
reasonable person conducting an impartial scientific review would 
conclude that the unknown information itself suggests the species may 
be at risk of extinction presently or within the foreseeable future.
    To make a 90-day finding on a petition to list a species, we 
evaluate whether the petition presents substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating the subject species may be either 
threatened or endangered, as defined by the ESA. First, we evaluate 
whether the information presented in the petition, in light of the 
information readily available in our files, indicates that the 
petitioned entity constitutes a ``species'' eligible for listing under 
the ESA. Next, we evaluate whether the information indicates that the 
species faces an extinction risk such that listing, delisting, or 
reclassification may be warranted; this may be indicated in information 
expressly discussing the species' status and trends, or in information 
describing impacts and threats to the species. We evaluate any 
information on specific demographic factors pertinent to evaluating 
extinction risk for the species (e.g., population abundance and trends, 
productivity, spatial structure, age structure, sex ratio, diversity, 
current and historical range, habitat integrity or fragmentation), and 
the potential contribution of identified demographic risks to 
extinction risk for the species. We then evaluate the potential links 
between these demographic risks and the causative impacts and threats 
identified in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA.
    Information presented on impacts or threats should be specific to 
the species and should reasonably suggest that one or more of these 
factors may be operative threats that act or have acted on the species 
to the point that it may warrant protection under the ESA. Broad 
statements about generalized threats to the species, or identification 
of factors that could negatively impact a species, do not constitute 
substantial information indicating that listing may be warranted. We 
look for information

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indicating that not only is the particular species exposed to a factor, 
but that the species may be responding in a negative fashion; then we 
assess the potential significance of that negative response.

UKTR Chinook Salmon ESU

    We completed the first status review for UKTR Basin Chinook salmon 
in 1998 (Myers et al., 1998). Myers et al. (1998) defined the UKTR 
Chinook salmon ESU as including all spring-run and fall-run populations 
from the Trinity River and Klamath River upstream from the confluence 
of the Trinity River. Based on the information in the status review, we 
determined that the UKTR Chinook salmon ESU was not at a significant 
risk of extinction, nor was it likely to become endangered in the 
foreseeable future, and therefore did not warrant listing under the ESA 
(63 FR 11482; March 9, 1998). On January 28, 2011, the Secretary of 
Commerce received a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity 
(CBD), Oregon Wild, Environmental Protection Information Center, and 
The Larch Company, to list UKTR Chinook salmon under the ESA and 
designate critical habitat. We made a positive 90-day finding, 
conducted a status review, and made a 12-month not warranted finding on 
the petitioned actions (77 FR 19597; April 2, 2012). In reaching our 
not warranted conclusion, we confirmed our earlier finding that spring-
run and fall-run Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin constitute a single 
ESU and, consistent with our earlier finding, concluded that the 
overall extinction risk of the ESU was considered to be low over the 
subsequent 100 years.

Evaluation of Petition and Information Readily Available in NMFS Files

    The petition contains information and arguments in support of 
listing Chinook salmon under the two alternatives requested by the 
Petitioners. Under the first listing alternative, the Petitioners 
request that we list as threatened or endangered the UKTR Chinook 
salmon ESU, in contrast to our previous finding in 2012 that listing 
this ESU was not warranted (77 FR 19597; April 2, 2012). In support of 
their request, the Petitioners present information about recent trends 
in abundance of the spring-run component of the UKTR Chinook salmon 
ESU, arguing that those trends indicate that the ESU should be listed. 
The Petitioners state that the total number of naturally spawning 
spring-run Chinook salmon since 1990 has averaged 9,983 spawners 
(range: 2,133 to 35,827); however, in recent years, the abundance of 
spring-run Chinook has declined. In fact, three out of the six worst 
years on record were in the past decade, with 4,215 spawners in 2014, 
2,638 in 2015, and 2,133 in 2016. The Petitioners note that 2017 was 
likely to be even lower and that this trend places the ESU at risk of 
extinction. In our previous not warranted finding (77 FR 19597; April 
2, 2012) we found that recent abundance estimates were low relative to 
historical abundance estimates and that this was most evident in two of 
the three spring-run populations units evaluated. Specifically, the 
Biological Review Team (BRT) that was asked to review the status of the 
UKTR Chinook salmon in 2011 noted concerns about the low numbers of 
spawners within the spring-run populations and while they concluded 
that these low numbers did not pose an immediate risk of extinction to 
the ESU, they were concerned that appropriate habitat and conditions 
that allow for the expression of the spring-run life history were 
limited (Williams et al. 2011). Given the new information presented by 
the Petitioners, which show a continued decline in spring-run spawners 
since the 2011 review, we find that a reasonable person would conclude 
that low spawner abundance may be impacting overall genetic diversity 
of the ESU to the point where the petitioned action may be warranted, 
and that further evaluation is necessary.
    The Petitioners also present information on the threats facing the 
spring-run component of the UKTR Chinook salmon ESU. The Petitioners 
argue that all five ESA section 4(a)(1) factors contribute to the need 
to list the species. However, we find that they have only provided 
support for two of the factors: Disease and the inadequacy of existing 
regulatory mechanisms. The Petitioners claim that recent observations 
indicate high rates of disease in juvenile Chinook salmon. In 2014, 81 
percent of juvenile Chinook salmon sampled were infected with the 
lethal parasite Ceratonova shasta. In 2015, this percentage rose to 90 
percent of sampled juvenile Chinook salmon. These high rates of 
infection were purportedly the result of poor water quality, low flows, 
and prolonged absence of flushing flows necessary to scour the river 
bed (Hillemeier et al. 2017). While we do not have additional 
information in our files on disease risks to Chinook salmon, we 
consider infection from C. shasta to pose a significant risk to coho 
salmon in the Klamath River basin (NMFS 2013). In the latest 5-year 
review of the threatened Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho 
Salmon ESU, we found that severe infection of juvenile coho salmon by 
C. shasta may contribute to declining adult coho salmon returns in the 
Klamath basin. Risk of mortality from infection (referred to as 
ceratomyxosis) was greatest at higher temperatures, and given the 
drought conditions that have persisted for the last four years and 
associated high water temperatures, we concluded that the risk from 
ceratomyxosis has likely been higher in the last five years than in the 
previous five years (NMFS 2016). Based on the information from the 
Petitioners, infection and associated mortality from ceratomyxosis may 
also be a significant threat to Chinook salmon in the Klamath, 
particularly given these two species' similar life histories. 
Considering the information indicating a declining abundance of spring-
run spawners, we find that a reasonable person would conclude that 
additional mortality of UKTR chinook salmon from disease indicates that 
the petitioned action may be warranted.
    The Petitioners also claim that current hatchery practices and 
harvest management are inadequate, with current exploitation rates of 
the species leading to the observed decline in the ESU. In support of 
their argument, the petitioners claim that the majority of the 
naturally spawning Chinook salmon in the Trinity basin are of hatchery 
origin. The Petitioners state that the high proportion of hatchery fish 
further supports their argument about the low number of returning 
spring-run Chinook salmon. The Petitioners also provide information on 
the inadequacy of harvest management. The Petitioners describe how 
fisheries managers have expressed the need to manage spring-run Chinook 
salmon. In 2003, the Klamath Fisheries Management Council reported to 
the Pacific Fisheries Management Council that they intended to develop 
management recommendations aimed at the conservation of spring-run 
Chinook salmon while preserving meaningful harvest opportunities for 
both ocean and river fisheries. The Petitioners claim that harvest 
management objectives were never set. We also do not have any 
information in our files to show that current regulatory mechanisms 
adequately address the threats identified above for spring-run Chinook 
salmon. Therefore, we find that a reasonable person would conclude that 
the inadequacy of existing regulatory measures to address threats of 
overutilization or disease of the UKTR Chinook salmon ESU indicate that 
the petitioned action may be warranted.
    Under the second recommended listing alternative, the Petitioners

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present new genetic evidence to suggest the spring-run Chinook salmon 
populations in the UKTR Basin may qualify as a separate ESU from the 
fall-run populations and request this new ESU to be listed based on the 
threats identified above. Based on biological, genetic, and ecological 
information compiled and reviewed as part of the status review for 
Chinook salmon (Myers et al., 1998), we included all spring-run and 
fall-run Chinook salmon populations in the Klamath River Basin upstream 
from the confluence of the Klamath and Trinity rivers in the UKTR 
Chinook salmon ESU (63 FR 11482; March 9, 1998). In our 2012 not 
warranted decision (77 FR 19597; April 2, 2012), we reconfirmed the 
configuration of the UKTR Chinook salmon ESU. In both cases, we found 
that spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon populations in the UKTR 
Basin were genetically very similar and not reproductively isolated 
from each other. The Petitioners contend the findings from a recently 
published article on the evolutionary basis of premature migration in 
Pacific salmon (Prince et al. 2017) indicate that spring-run Chinook 
salmon in the UKTR Basin should be considered a separate ESU, and 
therefore eligible to be listed as threatened or endangered. Prince et 
al. (2017) suggest that their results indicate that premature migration 
(e.g. spring-run Chinook salmon) arose from a single evolutionary event 
within the species and, if lost, are not likely to re-evolve in time 
frames relevant to conservation planning. Therefore, the Petitioners 
contend that the new genetic information indicates that spring-run 
Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin satisfy the criteria for a species to 
be considered an ESU because: (1) They are substantially reproductively 
isolated, and (2) they represent an important component in the 
evolutionary legacy of the species. We have reviewed the new genetic 
information and find that a reasonable person may conclude that spring-
run Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin would qualify as an ESU pursuant 
to our ESU Policy.

Petition Finding

    After reviewing the information contained in the petition, as well 
as information readily available in our files, we conclude the petition 
presents substantial scientific information indicating the petitioned 
actions to list as threatened or endangered the UKTR Chinook salmon ESU 
or, alternatively, to create a new ESU to describe spring-run Chinook 
salmon in the UKTR Basin and list the new ESU as threatened or 
endangered may be warranted. Therefore, in accordance with section 
4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA and NMFS' implementing regulations (50 CFR 
424.14(h)(2)), we will commence a status review of the UKTR Chinook 
salmon ESU. During our status review, we will first consider the 
request to designate a new ESU to describe spring-run Chinook salmon in 
the UKTR Basin in light of our ESU Policy (56 FR 58612; November 20, 
1991). If we determine that the spring-run component qualifies as a 
separate ESU, then we will evaluate its status to determine whether it 
is in danger of extinction or likely to become so within the 
foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its 
range. Otherwise, we will evaluate the status of the existing UKTR 
Chinook salmon ESU to determine if it warrants listing. As required by 
section 4(b)(3)(B) of the ESA, we will publish a finding as to whether 
listing an ESU as endangered or threatened is warranted.

Information Solicited

    To ensure that our status review is informed by the best available 
scientific and commercial information, we are opening a 60-day public 
comment period to solicit information on Chinook salmon in the UKTR 
Basin. We also solicited information on Chinook salmon in the UKTR 
Basin with our 90-day finding on the previous petition (76 FR 20302; 
April 12, 2011). Therefore, please do not re-submit information 
submitted in response to that previous finding. We request information 
from the public, concerned governmental agencies, Native American 
tribes, the scientific community, agricultural and forestry groups, 
conservation groups, fishing groups, industry, or any other interested 
parties concerning the current and/or historical status of Chinook 
salmon in the UKTR Basin. Specifically, we request information 
regarding: (1) Species abundance; (2) species productivity; (3) species 
distribution or population spatial structure; (4) patterns of 
phenotypic, genotypic, and life history diversity; (5) habitat 
conditions and associated limiting factors and threats; (6) ongoing or 
planned efforts to protect and restore the species and their habitats; 
(7) information on the adequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, 
whether protections are being implemented, and whether they are proving 
effective in conserving the species; (8) data concerning the status and 
trends of identified limiting factors or threats; (9) information on 
targeted harvest (commercial and recreational) and bycatch of the 
species; (10) other new information, data, or corrections including, 
but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes; and (11) 
information concerning the impacts of environmental variability and 
climate change on survival, recruitment, distribution, and/or 
extinction risk.
    We are also requesting information on areas that may qualify as 
critical habitat for Chinook salmon in the UKTR Basin. Please identify: 
Physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species that may require special management considerations; areas 
occupied by the species containing those physical and biological 
features; and unoccupied areas essential for conservation of the 
species (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(A); 50 CFR 424.12).
    We request that all information be accompanied by: (1) Supporting 
documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of 
pertinent publications; and (2) the submitter's name, address, and any 
association, institution, or business that the person represents.

References Cited

    The complete citations for the references used in this document can 
be obtained by contacting NMFS (See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) or 
on our web page at: www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov.

    Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: February 21, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-03906 Filed 2-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P