Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 5397-5401 [2020-01684]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 20 / Thursday, January 30, 2020 / Notices up of experts from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center and Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Park Service, Tenera Environmental, University of California at Santa Cruz, University of California at Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of Oregon, University of Rhode Island, University of Washington, and U.S. Geological Survey. NMFS’ goal is to restore black abalone populations in the wild to the point where it is a self-sustaining species that no longer needs the protections of the ESA. The Plan gives a brief background on the natural history, status, and threats to black abalone. The Plan lays out a recovery strategy to address the threats based on the best available science, identifies site-specific actions with time lines and costs, and includes demographic and threats-based recovery criteria to gauge progress toward recovery. Demographic recovery criteria describe the characteristics of recovered, viable black abalone populations, and threats-based recovery criteria represent the conditions needed to minimize the impacts of threats and support the species’ long-term viability. The Plan is not regulatory, but presents guidance for use by agencies and interested parties to assist in the recovery of black abalone. To recover black abalone, the recommended recovery actions within the Plan aim to restore populations in southern California and Baja California that have experienced significant declines; maintain healthy populations in Central and North-Central California; promote planning, coordination, and research to address threats such as disease, contaminant spills and spill response activities, illegal take, and ocean acidification; and facilitate outreach and education with the public and law enforcement to support recovery efforts. Continued long-term monitoring of black abalone populations throughout their range will be critical to assessing the species’ status and the effectiveness of the recovery actions. We expect the Plan to inform section 7 consultations with Federal agencies under the ESA and to support other ESA decisions, such as considering research and enhancement or incidental take permits under section 10. NMFS and our partners have already begun implementation of several actions as described in the Plan. For example, many partners have been monitoring black abalone populations along the California coast for decades, since the mid-1970s at some sites. Researchers at VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:56 Jan 29, 2020 Jkt 250001 the University of Washington and the University of California at Davis have been conducting disease research since the 1990s. In addition, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife coordinates with NMFS to address enforcement issues and spill response plans. After public comment and the adoption of the Final Recovery plan, we will continue to implement actions for which we have authority, encourage other Federal and state agencies to implement recovery actions for which they have authority, and work cooperatively with them to implement those actions. The total time and cost to recovery are difficult to predict. The total time to recovery will depend on several factors. Those include: (1) Our ability to address threats such as disease and spills, which are difficult to manage with much certainty; (2) the species’ biological constraints, such as episodic recruitment events; (3) the effectiveness of the recommended actions to achieve the Recovery Criteria and any adaptations needed as we learn more through implementation; and (4) the availability of funding to carry out the recovery actions. We can predict that recovery will likely take decades and at a minimum about 20 years. To generate a minimum cost estimate, we assumed that annual costs for each activity would be similar to those estimated for the first five years of implementation. For the minimum time frame of 20 years, we estimate that recovery will cost approximately $16 million. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Dated: January 27, 2020. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–01685 Filed 1–29–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XR096] Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of receipt and request for public comment on ten permit renewal applications, one permit modification, and five new permits. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5397 Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received sixteen scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon and steelhead, 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 March 2, 2020. 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.wcr-apps@ noaa.gov (include the permit number in the subject line of the fax or email). 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: SUMMARY: Species Covered in This Notice The following listed species are covered in this notice: Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Threatened Lower Columbia River (LCR); threatened Puget Sound (PS); threatened Snake River (SnkR) spring/summer-run; threatened Snake River (SnkR) fall-run; endangered Upper Columbia River (UCR) springrun; threatened Upper Willamette River (UWR). Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened Middle Columbia River (MCR); threatened PS; threatened SnkR; threatened UCR; threatened Central California Coast (CCC); threatened California Central Valley (CCV). Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Hood Canal Summer-run (HCS). Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened LCR; threatened Oregon Coast (OC) coho; threatened Southern Oregon/ Northern California Coast (SONCC). Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Endangered SnkR. Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): Threatened southern (S). Rockfish (Sebastes spp.): Endangered Puget Sound/Georgia Basin (PS/GB) bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis); E:\FR\FM\30JAN1.SGM 30JAN1 5398 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 20 / Thursday, January 30, 2020 / Notices 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 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 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 1339–5M The Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) under the authorization of the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking to modify a permit that allows them to annually take adult and juvenile SnkR spring/summer Chinook salmon and SnkR steelhead while conducting research in a number of the tributaries to the Imnaha River (Cow, Lightning, Horse, Big Sheep, Camp, Little Sheep, Freezeout, Grouse, Crazyman, Mahogany, and Gumboot Creeks), the Grande Ronde River (Joseph Creek, Wenaha and Minam rivers), the Clearwater River (South Fork Clearwater River and Lolo Creek), and the Snake River (Lower Granite Dam adult trap). The Imnaha and Grande Ronde Rivers are in northeastern Oregon, the Clearwater is in Idaho, and the work in the Snake River would take place in Washington. The NPT has been conducting this work for more than two decades in the Pacific Northwest. The NPT is seeking to modify the permit in one way: They would like to be able to capture a number of adult steelhead at temporary weirs in the Salmon River subbasin in Idaho—primarily at a small number of locations in the lower Salmon River below the town of Riggins. The purpose of the research is to acquire information on the status (escapement abundance, genetic structure, life history traits) of juvenile and adult steelhead in the Imnaha, Grande Ronde, Clearwater, and Salmon River subbasins. The research would VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:56 Jan 29, 2020 Jkt 250001 benefit the listed species by providing information on current status that fishery managers can use to determine if recovery actions are helping increase Snake River salmonid populations. Baseline information on steelhead populations in the Imnaha, Grande Ronde, and Clearwater River subbasins would also be used to help guide future management actions. Adult and juvenile salmon and steelhead would be observed, handled, and marked. The researchers would use temporary/ portable picket and resistance board weirs and rotary screw traps to capture the fish and would then sample some of them for biological information (fin tissue and scale samples). They may also mark some of the fish with opercule punches, fin clips, dyes, and PIT, floy, and/or Tyvek disk tags. Adult steelhead carcasses would also be collected and sampled. The researchers do not intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities. 14772–4R The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking to renew a permit that currently allows it to take juvenile and adult OC coho salmon while studying fish abundance, distribution, and habitat preference in the Umpqua River. The ODFW would also study the distribution of non-native invasive species, interspecific competition, and predator-prey interactions. The information would benefit OC coho by helping to improve management plans. The researchers would use backpack and boat electrofishing equipment to capture the fish. Stunned fish would be recovered in a soft mesh dipnet and immediately put in an aerated holding tank. The fish would then be measured, weighed, recorded by species, and swiftly returned to the water. The researchers would avoid adult coho, but a few may be encountered. In the event that an adult coho is encountered, the ODFW would shut off the electrical current and allow the fish to swim away, and no more electrofishing would occur in that location. The researchers do not intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a small number of juvenile coho may die as an unintended result of the activities. 15205–4R The KWIAHT Center for the Historical Ecology of the Salish Sea (KWIAHT) is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon. Sampling sites would occur offshore of Decatur, Lopez, and Waldron PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 island beaches in the San Juan Island archipelago in Puget Sound (San Juan County, WA). The purpose of this research is to understand long-term changes in the food web that supports Salish Sea salmon populations that annually congregate in the San Juan Islands basin. Since 2010, this study has been analyzing trends in juvenile Chinook salmon, their prey species (sand lance and Pacific herring), and their changing environment (i.e., water temperatures). This research would benefit PS Chinook salmon by continuing to keep managers informed of the changes in the salmonids’ environment and the impact those changes are having on juvenile wild Chinook salmon during their neritic life history stage. The researchers propose capturing fish using a beach seine. Once captured, the fish would be anesthetized and measured, and a tissue sample would be taken (sample scale and fin clip). The fishes’ stomach contents would then be sampled by gastric lavage. The fish would then be returned to an aerated holding bucket until they are ready for release. 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. 15230–3R West Fork Environmental, Inc. (WFE) is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead on the South Fork of the Tolt River (Snoqualmie River sub-basin; King County, WA). The purpose of the study is to better understand the seasonal use of the Tolt River and its tributaries by juvenile PS steelhead prior to their outmigration. Since 2010, this study has increased our knowledge of size- and age-based movements in the upper reaches of the South Fork Tolt River. Further research would benefit PS steelhead by including an additional PIT-tag array to provide a better understanding of populationspecific age structure, genetic structure, and movement patterns for both juveniles and returning adults. The WFE researchers propose capturing fish using backpack electrofishing and hook and line angling. The listed steelhead would be captured, anesthetized, measured, weighed, have a tissue sample taken (sample scale and fin clip), PIT tagged, and returned to an aerated holding bucket until they are ready for release. All other fish would be captured, identified to species, and released. The researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed salmonids being captured, but E:\FR\FM\30JAN1.SGM 30JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 20 / Thursday, January 30, 2020 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities. 17062–6R The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, PS steelhead, HCS chum salmon, and PS/ GB bocaccio. The NWFSC research may also cause them to take adult S eulachon and juvenile and adult PS/GB yelloweye rockfish, 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, WA. The purposes of the study are to (1) determine how much genetic variation exists between coastal and PS/GB DPS bocaccio populations; (2) investigate how characteristics (patch size and level of nearby urbanization) of rocky reef habitats, kelp forests, and eelgrass beds affect the relative quality of these habitats as nursery habitat for rockfishes in Puget Sound; and (3) examine the trophic relationships of rockfish in Puget Sound and their reliance on productivity from rocky reef habitats, kelp forests, and eelgrass beds. Since 2012, this study has been collecting genetic samples from ESA-listed rockfish to determine whether or not the PS/GB DPS rockfish designations are supported. For yelloweye and canary rockfish, enough genetic information was collected to support the PS/GB DPS designation for yelloweye rockfish but suggested that canary rockfish in Puget Sound were not a unique DPS. For bocaccio, not enough individuals were captured to support a determination. Further research would benefit these ESA-listed rockfish by collecting more biological samples to better understand DPS/species uniqueness and their habitat (i.e., rocky reef, kelp forests, and eelgrass beds) interactions. The NWFSC proposes to capture fish by using (1) hook and line equipment at depths of 20–200 meters; (2) hand nets and spear guns while conducting SCUBA diving transects; and (3) anchored minnow traps and Standard Monitoring Units for the recruitment of Reef Fishes (SMURFs). For the hook and line fishing, captured fish would be reeled slowly to the surface to reduce the impacts of barotrauma. All captured ESA-listed rockfish would be measured, weighed, sexed, tissue sampled (caudal fin clip and dorsal musculature), floy tagged, and released to the water via rapid submersion techniques to reduce barotrauma. If a rockfish individual is captured dead or deemed nonviable, it would be retained for genetic analysis. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:56 Jan 29, 2020 Jkt 250001 All other ESA-listed fish would be released after capture. For the SCUBA diving transects, juvenile rockfish would be collected in a plastic bag and brought to the surface and sacrificed for full body analysis. For minnow traps and SMURFs, the traps would be brought to the surface, emptied into a tub of water, and the fish would be identified to species, enumerated, and sacrificed for full body analysis. The researchers do not propose to kill any adult listed fish being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities. 17761–2R The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), Fisheries and Wildlife Division is seeking to renew for a five years a permit that currently allows them to take juvenile and adult CCV steelhead in the lower Mokelumne River in the San Joaquin Valley, CA. Fish would be observed (video monitoring in the fish ladder, escapement surveys, snorkel surveys, and redd surveys), captured (boat and backpack electrofishing, rotary screw traps, fish ladder trap, fyke traps, beach seines, smolt bypass trap, hook and line, trawling), handled (anesthetize, weigh, measure, and check for marks or tags), and released. A subsample may be marked, tagged, and/or sampled for stomach content or biological tissue. The purpose of the research is to collect scientific data on anadromous fish, resident fish, and fish habitat on the lower Mokelumne River as part of an ongoing process to measure the success of the flow requirements and non-flow measures set forth in the 1998 Joint Settlement Agreement (JSA) between EBMUD, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFW) as part of the 1991 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license proceeding. Data will also be used to develop and implement Hatchery and Genetics Management Plans for operation of the Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery’s fall run Chinook salmon program and Central Valley steelhead program. The researchers are not proposing to kill any of the fish they capture, but a small number of individuals may be killed as an inadvertent result of the activities. 18696–4R The Idaho Power company is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to annually capture juvenile and adult SnkR fall-run and SnkR spring/summer run Chinook salmon, SnkR sockeye and SnkR steelhead. The researchers are targeting PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5399 juvenile white sturgeon in Lower Granite Reservoir, Idaho. The researchers currently use small-mesh gill nets and d-ring nets to capture white sturgeon. They also employ a benthic (near-bottom) trawl in Lower Granite Reservoir and do some gill-netting upstream from that reservoir. The gill net fishing would continue to take place at times (October and November) and in areas (the bottom of the reservoir and river) that have purposefully been chosen to have the least possible impact on listed fish. When the nets are pulled to the surface, listed species would immediately be released (including by cutting the net, if necessary) and allowed to return to the reservoir. The d-ring fishing would take place in June and July, but the same restrictions (immediately releasing listed fish, etc.) would still apply. The purpose of the research is to document sturgeon survival in early life stages in the mainstem Snake River. The research targets a species that is not listed, but the research would benefit listed salmonids by generating information about the habitat conditions near and in Lower Granite Reservoir and by helping managers develop conservation plans for the species that inhabit those areas. The researchers are not proposing to kill any of the fish they capture, but a small number of individuals may be killed as an inadvertent result of the activities. 18852–2R The USFWS Mid-Columbia River Fishery Resource Office is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to annually capture juvenile and adult UCR springrun Chinook salmon and steelhead, and juvenile MCR steelhead. Sampling would take place throughout the Yakima, Wenatchee, Entiat, Methow and Okanogan river basins in WA. The researchers currently use backpack electrofishing, hand/dip nets, and hook and line to capture fish. The purpose of this project is to (1) determine the distribution and status of Pacific lamprey, bull trout, and other native fish species and (2) implement and assess recovery actions associated with passage at existing structures and at lamprey passage engineered structures. During this research, non-target species, including Chinook salmon and steelhead will be released with minimal handling. In some study areas, Chinook salmon and steelhead may be anesthetized and identified to species, measured, and scanned for PIT tags. The research targets Pacific lamprey and bull trout, but the research would benefit listed salmonids by providing presence/ absence data and helping inform habitat E:\FR\FM\30JAN1.SGM 30JAN1 5400 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 20 / Thursday, January 30, 2020 / Notices restoration actions. The researchers are not proposing to kill any of the fish they capture, but a small number of individuals may be killed as an inadvertent result of the activities. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 18906–2R The Northwest Straits Foundation (NSF) is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. The researchers may also take adult S eulachon, for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. Sampling would take place at up to 30 sites in the eastern Puget Sound from Saratoga Passage (in the south) to Fidalgo Bay (to the north) (Island and Skagit counties, WA). The purpose of the study is to monitor ecosystem response to restoration efforts (pre- and post-) and determine their effectiveness at reestablishing habitat as a natural functioning ecosystem. The research would benefit the listed species by determining the effectiveness of these restoration efforts and applying them to future efforts which directly benefits listed salmon by increasing habitat. The NSF proposes capturing fish using a beach seine. Fish would be captured, identified to species, measured, and released. 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. 19013–2R Long Live the Kings (LLTK) is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile HCS chum salmon, PS Chinook salmon, and PS steelhead in the Hamma Hamma River (Mason County, WA). The purpose of the study is to assess the long-term effects and effectiveness of PS steelhead supplementation when utilizing low-impact, innovative wild steelhead supplementation techniques in streams throughout the Hood Canal region. Further research would benefit the listed species by determining what legacy effects the PS steelhead hatchery program have had on natural steelhead populations (abundance, genetic diversity, life history diversity). The researchers propose capturing fish using a rotary screw trap. PS steelhead would be captured, anesthetized, weighed, measured, have a tissue sample taken (sample scale and fin clip), and returned to an aerated holding bucket until they are ready for release. All other fish will be captured, identified to species, and released downstream of the trap. The researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed salmonids being captured, but VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:56 Jan 29, 2020 Jkt 250001 a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities. 19386–2R The Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (WEIS) is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead in the Lower Duwamish River waterway (King County, WA). Under a Consent Decree settled through U.S. District Court (Western District of Washington), The Boeing Company agreed to construct two habitat restoration projects near Boeing Plant 2 in the Lower Duwamish Waterway to restore and create offchannel and riparian habitats in an area where they have been largely eliminated due to channelization and industrialization. The purpose of this study is to determine if fish, including ESA listed juvenile salmonids, are using the newly created/restored habitat. This is a planned ten-year study, and this renewal would cover the last five years of the study. This research would benefit the affected species by informing future restoration designs as well as providing data to support future enhancement projects. The researchers propose to capture fish using fyke nets during the spring salmonid outmigration (March through June). Fish would be anaesthetized, identified to species, measured for length, allowed to recover, and released. 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. 23567 Stillwater Sciences is seeking a fiveyear research permit to take juvenile CCC steelhead in Rector Creek extending 1.7 miles downstream from Rector Dam in Napa County, CA. Sampling would be for a period of 1 week during both the Spring (March– June) and again during Fall (September– October) in 2020, followed by repeat surveys in 2021–2024. The purpose of this study is to assess instream flow needs in Rector Creek. The license to operate Rector Dam does not include specific instream flow release requirements; however, California Fish and Game Code Section 5937 requires the owner or operator of any dam to allow sufficient flow to pass through or over the dam to keep fish downstream of the dam in good condition. Data will be collected to assess species composition, distribution, abundance, age-class distribution, and individual fish condition (size, growth rate, and presence of disease, parasites, or PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 lesions) to evaluate the condition of fish in Rector Creek downstream of Rector Dam. Results of this study will be used to refine the conditions of the Rector Creek release schedule to improve habitat conditions for fish species downstream. Fish survey methods used will include direct observation using multi-pass snorkeling methods, beach seining, dip-netting, and single-pass backpack electrofishing. These methods will follow standard guidelines to reduce injury to steelhead and other native fish species. 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. 23600 The University of Washington (UW) is seeking a three-year research permit to annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, PS steelhead, HCS chum salmon, and PS/GB bocaccio throughout the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, WA. The UW research may also cause them to take adult PS/GB yelloweye rockfish, for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. The purpose of the study is to investigate the ecology and movement of broadnose sevengill shark (Notorhynchus cepedianus) and bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) and to assess their potential to serve as sentinels for deep ocean ecosystems. This research would benefit the affected species by providing a better understanding of the marine ecosystem of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. The UW proposes to capture fish using longline fishing gear. Targeted shark species would be tagged (satellite and acoustic), sampled (blood, fin clip, and muscle tissue biopsy), measured, and released. ESA-listed rockfish would be tissue sampled (fin clip), floy tagged, and released to the water via rapid submersion techniques to reduce barotrauma. If a rockfish individual is captured dead or deemed nonviable, it would be retained for genetic analysis. ESA-listed salmonids would either be immediately released or held an aerated livewell until they are ready for release. 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. 23633 The USFWS is seeking a five-year permit to capture juveniles from several species of native lamprey in Abernathy Creek, WA. The researchers would use backpack electrofishing units to capture the lamprey. Because the researchers are E:\FR\FM\30JAN1.SGM 30JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 20 / Thursday, January 30, 2020 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES targeting lamprey, the electrofishing units would be operated at very low setting—settings that generally have very little effect on salmonids. Nonetheless, if the researchers do encounter any juvenile LCR coho, those fish would be dip-netted, quickly enumerated, and returned to the creek downstream of the electrofishing team without further handling. Though the listed fish are not the target of the research, they would nonetheless benefit from the information to be gained. The researchers are collecting data on an important indicator of habitat health, and they are doing it in an area that has been designated as an ‘‘intensively monitored watershed’’— which means that managers will easily be able to use any information the researchers gather help recover listed salmonids elsewhere in the lower Columbia River. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but a small number some may die as an inadvertent result of the proposed activities. 23637 The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking a five-year permit to tag—with acoustic tags—adult MCR steelhead at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River and monitor their subsequent migration patterns and routes. The fish would be taken and tagged as they pass through the Bonneville Dam adult fish facility. Captured adult steelhead would be anesthetized, held in an oxygenated, river-temperature tank, and implanted with an acoustic transmitter once they are fully anesthetized and deemed ready. Following their recovery from anesthesia, tagged adult steelhead would be released immediately upstream of the adult fish trap and allowed to proceed up the fish ladder to cross Bonneville Dam. The fish would then be tracked by acoustic receiver arrays in upstream reservoirs and dams and at a location near the confluence of the Columbia and John Day Rivers. The research is intended to generate information about adult MCR steelhead migration and, in particular, it is intended to help managers address the question of why so many steelhead that originate in the John Day River tend to swim past that river and continue up the Columbia River when they return as adults. Currently, approximately 60% of the returning steelhead overshoot the John Day River when they return as adults. If managers can figure out why that is the case and develop measures to reduce that percentage (i.e., help the fish find their way back to their spawning grounds), it could potentially greatly increase their survival and, therefore, VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:56 Jan 29, 2020 Jkt 250001 vastly improve spawning success and overall steelhead numbers in the John Day River. The researchers do not intend to kill any of the fish being tagged, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the capturing and tagging activities. 23629 The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking a five-year permit to annually take juvenile and adult UWR Chinook salmon, and adult and juvenile SONCC coho in the Willamette (Coast Fork and Middle Fork), North and South Santiam, McKenzie and Upper Rogue rivers in OR. The purpose of this study is to evaluate contaminants, particularly mercury in reservoirs/lakes and the relationships between contaminants in sediment and biota, water quality, and fish tissue mercury concentrations. Researchers will capture fish with back pack and boat electrofishing, hook and line, gill nets, beach seines and minnow traps. Captured listed fish will be quickly handled and released. A subset of other fish will be anesthetized, tissue sampled, allowed to recover and released. This research will benefit listed species by providing information to assess factors that influence contaminant exposure and allow researchers to evaluate contaminant exposure, bioaccumulation, and effects in aquatic ecosystems. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but a small number some may die as an inadvertent result of the proposed 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: January 27, 2020. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–01684 Filed 1–29–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review Commodity Futures Trading Commission. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ACTION: 5401 Notice. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected costs and burden. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 2, 2020. ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the information collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, may be submitted directly to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in OMB within 30 days of this notice’s publication by either of the following methods. Please identify the comments by ‘‘OMB Control No. 3038– 0025.’’ • By email addressed to: OIRAsubmissions@omb.eop.gov or • By mail addressed to: the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention Desk Officer for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503. A copy of all comments submitted to OIRA should be sent to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) by either of the following methods. The copies should refer to ‘‘OMB Control No. 3038–0025.’’ • By mail addressed to: Christopher Kirkpatrick, Secretary of the Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20581; • By Hand Delivery/Courier to the same address; or • Through the Commission’s website at https://comments.cftc.gov. Please follow the instructions for submitting comments through the website. A copy of the supporting statement for the collection of information discussed herein may be obtained by visiting https://RegInfo.gov. All comments must be submitted in English, or if not, accompanied by an English translation. Comments will be posted as received to https:// www.cftc.gov. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. If you wish the Commission to consider information that you believe is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, a petition for confidential treatment of the exempt information may be submitted according SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30JAN1.SGM 30JAN1

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[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5397-5401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01684]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XR096]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt and request for public comment on ten permit 
renewal applications, one permit modification, and five new permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received sixteen 
scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific 
salmon and steelhead, 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 March 2, 2020.

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 [email protected] (include the permit number 
in the subject line of the fax or email).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Clapp, Portland, OR (ph.: 503-231-
2314), Fax: 503-230-5441, email: [email protected]). 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 Lower 
Columbia River (LCR); threatened Puget Sound (PS); threatened Snake 
River (SnkR) spring/summer-run; threatened Snake River (SnkR) fall-run; 
endangered Upper Columbia River (UCR) spring-run; threatened Upper 
Willamette River (UWR).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened Middle Columbia River (MCR); 
threatened PS; threatened SnkR; threatened UCR; threatened Central 
California Coast (CCC); threatened California Central Valley (CCV).
    Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Hood Canal Summer-run (HCS).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened LCR; threatened Oregon Coast 
(OC) coho; threatened Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast 
(SONCC).
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Endangered SnkR.
    Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): Threatened southern (S).
    Rockfish (Sebastes spp.): Endangered Puget Sound/Georgia Basin (PS/
GB) bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis);

[[Page 5398]]

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 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

1339-5M

    The Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) under the authorization of the Columbia 
River Intertribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is seeking to modify a 
permit that allows them to annually take adult and juvenile SnkR 
spring/summer Chinook salmon and SnkR steelhead while conducting 
research in a number of the tributaries to the Imnaha River (Cow, 
Lightning, Horse, Big Sheep, Camp, Little Sheep, Freezeout, Grouse, 
Crazyman, Mahogany, and Gumboot Creeks), the Grande Ronde River (Joseph 
Creek, Wenaha and Minam rivers), the Clearwater River (South Fork 
Clearwater River and Lolo Creek), and the Snake River (Lower Granite 
Dam adult trap). The Imnaha and Grande Ronde Rivers are in northeastern 
Oregon, the Clearwater is in Idaho, and the work in the Snake River 
would take place in Washington. The NPT has been conducting this work 
for more than two decades in the Pacific Northwest. The NPT is seeking 
to modify the permit in one way: They would like to be able to capture 
a number of adult steelhead at temporary weirs in the Salmon River 
subbasin in Idaho--primarily at a small number of locations in the 
lower Salmon River below the town of Riggins. The purpose of the 
research is to acquire information on the status (escapement abundance, 
genetic structure, life history traits) of juvenile and adult steelhead 
in the Imnaha, Grande Ronde, Clearwater, and Salmon River subbasins. 
The research would benefit the listed species by providing information 
on current status that fishery managers can use to determine if 
recovery actions are helping increase Snake River salmonid populations. 
Baseline information on steelhead populations in the Imnaha, Grande 
Ronde, and Clearwater River subbasins would also be used to help guide 
future management actions. Adult and juvenile salmon and steelhead 
would be observed, handled, and marked. The researchers would use 
temporary/portable picket and resistance board weirs and rotary screw 
traps to capture the fish and would then sample some of them for 
biological information (fin tissue and scale samples). They may also 
mark some of the fish with opercule punches, fin clips, dyes, and PIT, 
floy, and/or Tyvek disk tags. Adult steelhead carcasses would also be 
collected and sampled. The researchers do not intend to kill any of the 
fish being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result 
of the activities.

14772-4R

    The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking to 
renew a permit that currently allows it to take juvenile and adult OC 
coho salmon while studying fish abundance, distribution, and habitat 
preference in the Umpqua River. The ODFW would also study the 
distribution of non-native invasive species, interspecific competition, 
and predator-prey interactions. The information would benefit OC coho 
by helping to improve management plans. The researchers would use 
backpack and boat electrofishing equipment to capture the fish. Stunned 
fish would be recovered in a soft mesh dipnet and immediately put in an 
aerated holding tank. The fish would then be measured, weighed, 
recorded by species, and swiftly returned to the water. The researchers 
would avoid adult coho, but a few may be encountered. In the event that 
an adult coho is encountered, the ODFW would shut off the electrical 
current and allow the fish to swim away, and no more electrofishing 
would occur in that location. The researchers do not intend to kill any 
of the fish being captured, but a small number of juvenile coho may die 
as an unintended result of the activities.

15205-4R

    The KWIAHT Center for the Historical Ecology of the Salish Sea 
(KWIAHT) is seeking to renew for five years a research permit that 
currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon. Sampling 
sites would occur offshore of Decatur, Lopez, and Waldron island 
beaches in the San Juan Island archipelago in Puget Sound (San Juan 
County, WA). The purpose of this research is to understand long-term 
changes in the food web that supports Salish Sea salmon populations 
that annually congregate in the San Juan Islands basin. Since 2010, 
this study has been analyzing trends in juvenile Chinook salmon, their 
prey species (sand lance and Pacific herring), and their changing 
environment (i.e., water temperatures). This research would benefit PS 
Chinook salmon by continuing to keep managers informed of the changes 
in the salmonids' environment and the impact those changes are having 
on juvenile wild Chinook salmon during their neritic life history 
stage. The researchers propose capturing fish using a beach seine. Once 
captured, the fish would be anesthetized and measured, and a tissue 
sample would be taken (sample scale and fin clip). The fishes' stomach 
contents would then be sampled by gastric lavage. The fish would then 
be returned to an aerated holding bucket until they are ready for 
release. 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.

15230-3R

    West Fork Environmental, Inc. (WFE) is seeking to renew for five 
years a research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS 
Chinook salmon and PS steelhead on the South Fork of the Tolt River 
(Snoqualmie River sub-basin; King County, WA). The purpose of the study 
is to better understand the seasonal use of the Tolt River and its 
tributaries by juvenile PS steelhead prior to their outmigration. Since 
2010, this study has increased our knowledge of size- and age-based 
movements in the upper reaches of the South Fork Tolt River. Further 
research would benefit PS steelhead by including an additional PIT-tag 
array to provide a better understanding of population-specific age 
structure, genetic structure, and movement patterns for both juveniles 
and returning adults. The WFE researchers propose capturing fish using 
backpack electrofishing and hook and line angling. The listed steelhead 
would be captured, anesthetized, measured, weighed, have a tissue 
sample taken (sample scale and fin clip), PIT tagged, and returned to 
an aerated holding bucket until they are ready for release. All other 
fish would be captured, identified to species, and released. The 
researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed salmonids being 
captured, but

[[Page 5399]]

a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities.

17062-6R

    The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is seeking to renew 
for five years a research permit that currently allows them to take 
juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, PS steelhead, HCS chum salmon, 
and PS/GB bocaccio. The NWFSC research may also cause them to take 
adult S eulachon and juvenile and adult PS/GB yelloweye rockfish, 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, WA. The purposes of the study are to (1) determine how much 
genetic variation exists between coastal and PS/GB DPS bocaccio 
populations; (2) investigate how characteristics (patch size and level 
of nearby urbanization) of rocky reef habitats, kelp forests, and 
eelgrass beds affect the relative quality of these habitats as nursery 
habitat for rockfishes in Puget Sound; and (3) examine the trophic 
relationships of rockfish in Puget Sound and their reliance on 
productivity from rocky reef habitats, kelp forests, and eelgrass beds. 
Since 2012, this study has been collecting genetic samples from ESA-
listed rockfish to determine whether or not the PS/GB DPS rockfish 
designations are supported. For yelloweye and canary rockfish, enough 
genetic information was collected to support the PS/GB DPS designation 
for yelloweye rockfish but suggested that canary rockfish in Puget 
Sound were not a unique DPS. For bocaccio, not enough individuals were 
captured to support a determination. Further research would benefit 
these ESA-listed rockfish by collecting more biological samples to 
better understand DPS/species uniqueness and their habitat (i.e., rocky 
reef, kelp forests, and eelgrass beds) interactions. The NWFSC proposes 
to capture fish by using (1) hook and line equipment at depths of 20-
200 meters; (2) hand nets and spear guns while conducting SCUBA diving 
transects; and (3) anchored minnow traps and Standard Monitoring Units 
for the recruitment of Reef Fishes (SMURFs). For the hook and line 
fishing, captured fish would be reeled slowly to the surface to reduce 
the impacts of barotrauma. All captured ESA-listed rockfish would be 
measured, weighed, sexed, tissue sampled (caudal fin clip and dorsal 
musculature), floy tagged, and released to the water via rapid 
submersion techniques to reduce barotrauma. If a rockfish individual is 
captured dead or deemed nonviable, it would be retained for genetic 
analysis. All other ESA-listed fish would be released after capture. 
For the SCUBA diving transects, juvenile rockfish would be collected in 
a plastic bag and brought to the surface and sacrificed for full body 
analysis. For minnow traps and SMURFs, the traps would be brought to 
the surface, emptied into a tub of water, and the fish would be 
identified to species, enumerated, and sacrificed for full body 
analysis. The researchers do not propose to kill any adult listed fish 
being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of 
the activities.

17761-2R

    The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), Fisheries and 
Wildlife Division is seeking to renew for a five years a permit that 
currently allows them to take juvenile and adult CCV steelhead in the 
lower Mokelumne River in the San Joaquin Valley, CA. Fish would be 
observed (video monitoring in the fish ladder, escapement surveys, 
snorkel surveys, and redd surveys), captured (boat and backpack 
electrofishing, rotary screw traps, fish ladder trap, fyke traps, beach 
seines, smolt bypass trap, hook and line, trawling), handled 
(anesthetize, weigh, measure, and check for marks or tags), and 
released. A subsample may be marked, tagged, and/or sampled for stomach 
content or biological tissue. The purpose of the research is to collect 
scientific data on anadromous fish, resident fish, and fish habitat on 
the lower Mokelumne River as part of an ongoing process to measure the 
success of the flow requirements and non-flow measures set forth in the 
1998 Joint Settlement Agreement (JSA) between EBMUD, the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the California Department of Fish and 
Game (CDFW) as part of the 1991 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(FERC) license proceeding. Data will also be used to develop and 
implement Hatchery and Genetics Management Plans for operation of the 
Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery's fall run Chinook salmon program and 
Central Valley steelhead program. The researchers are not proposing to 
kill any of the fish they capture, but a small number of individuals 
may be killed as an inadvertent result of the activities.

18696-4R

    The Idaho Power company is seeking to renew for five years a 
research permit that currently allows them to annually capture juvenile 
and adult SnkR fall-run and SnkR spring/summer run Chinook salmon, SnkR 
sockeye and SnkR steelhead. The researchers are targeting juvenile 
white sturgeon in Lower Granite Reservoir, Idaho. The researchers 
currently use small-mesh gill nets and d-ring nets to capture white 
sturgeon. They also employ a benthic (near-bottom) trawl in Lower 
Granite Reservoir and do some gill-netting upstream from that 
reservoir. The gill net fishing would continue to take place at times 
(October and November) and in areas (the bottom of the reservoir and 
river) that have purposefully been chosen to have the least possible 
impact on listed fish. When the nets are pulled to the surface, listed 
species would immediately be released (including by cutting the net, if 
necessary) and allowed to return to the reservoir. The d-ring fishing 
would take place in June and July, but the same restrictions 
(immediately releasing listed fish, etc.) would still apply. The 
purpose of the research is to document sturgeon survival in early life 
stages in the mainstem Snake River. The research targets a species that 
is not listed, but the research would benefit listed salmonids by 
generating information about the habitat conditions near and in Lower 
Granite Reservoir and by helping managers develop conservation plans 
for the species that inhabit those areas. The researchers are not 
proposing to kill any of the fish they capture, but a small number of 
individuals may be killed as an inadvertent result of the activities.

18852-2R

    The USFWS Mid-Columbia River Fishery Resource Office is seeking to 
renew for five years a research permit that currently allows them to 
annually capture juvenile and adult UCR spring-run Chinook salmon and 
steelhead, and juvenile MCR steelhead. Sampling would take place 
throughout the Yakima, Wenatchee, Entiat, Methow and Okanogan river 
basins in WA. The researchers currently use backpack electrofishing, 
hand/dip nets, and hook and line to capture fish. The purpose of this 
project is to (1) determine the distribution and status of Pacific 
lamprey, bull trout, and other native fish species and (2) implement 
and assess recovery actions associated with passage at existing 
structures and at lamprey passage engineered structures. During this 
research, non-target species, including Chinook salmon and steelhead 
will be released with minimal handling. In some study areas, Chinook 
salmon and steelhead may be anesthetized and identified to species, 
measured, and scanned for PIT tags. The research targets Pacific 
lamprey and bull trout, but the research would benefit listed salmonids 
by providing presence/absence data and helping inform habitat

[[Page 5400]]

restoration actions. The researchers are not proposing to kill any of 
the fish they capture, but a small number of individuals may be killed 
as an inadvertent result of the activities.

18906-2R

    The Northwest Straits Foundation (NSF) is seeking to renew for five 
years a research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS 
Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. The researchers may also take adult S 
eulachon, for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. 
Sampling would take place at up to 30 sites in the eastern Puget Sound 
from Saratoga Passage (in the south) to Fidalgo Bay (to the north) 
(Island and Skagit counties, WA). The purpose of the study is to 
monitor ecosystem response to restoration efforts (pre- and post-) and 
determine their effectiveness at reestablishing habitat as a natural 
functioning ecosystem. The research would benefit the listed species by 
determining the effectiveness of these restoration efforts and applying 
them to future efforts which directly benefits listed salmon by 
increasing habitat. The NSF proposes capturing fish using a beach 
seine. Fish would be captured, identified to species, measured, and 
released. 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.

19013-2R

    Long Live the Kings (LLTK) is seeking to renew for five years a 
research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile HCS chum 
salmon, PS Chinook salmon, and PS steelhead in the Hamma Hamma River 
(Mason County, WA). The purpose of the study is to assess the long-term 
effects and effectiveness of PS steelhead supplementation when 
utilizing low-impact, innovative wild steelhead supplementation 
techniques in streams throughout the Hood Canal region. Further 
research would benefit the listed species by determining what legacy 
effects the PS steelhead hatchery program have had on natural steelhead 
populations (abundance, genetic diversity, life history diversity). The 
researchers propose capturing fish using a rotary screw trap. PS 
steelhead would be captured, anesthetized, weighed, measured, have a 
tissue sample taken (sample scale and fin clip), and returned to an 
aerated holding bucket until they are ready for release. All other fish 
will be captured, identified to species, and released downstream of the 
trap. 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.

19386-2R

    The Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (WEIS) is 
seeking to renew for five years a research permit that currently allows 
them to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead in the Lower 
Duwamish River waterway (King County, WA). Under a Consent Decree 
settled through U.S. District Court (Western District of Washington), 
The Boeing Company agreed to construct two habitat restoration projects 
near Boeing Plant 2 in the Lower Duwamish Waterway to restore and 
create off-channel and riparian habitats in an area where they have 
been largely eliminated due to channelization and industrialization. 
The purpose of this study is to determine if fish, including ESA listed 
juvenile salmonids, are using the newly created/restored habitat. This 
is a planned ten-year study, and this renewal would cover the last five 
years of the study. This research would benefit the affected species by 
informing future restoration designs as well as providing data to 
support future enhancement projects. The researchers propose to capture 
fish using fyke nets during the spring salmonid outmigration (March 
through June). Fish would be anaesthetized, identified to species, 
measured for length, allowed to recover, and released. 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.

23567

    Stillwater Sciences is seeking a five-year research permit to take 
juvenile CCC steelhead in Rector Creek extending 1.7 miles downstream 
from Rector Dam in Napa County, CA. Sampling would be for a period of 1 
week during both the Spring (March-June) and again during Fall 
(September-October) in 2020, followed by repeat surveys in 2021-2024. 
The purpose of this study is to assess instream flow needs in Rector 
Creek. The license to operate Rector Dam does not include specific 
instream flow release requirements; however, California Fish and Game 
Code Section 5937 requires the owner or operator of any dam to allow 
sufficient flow to pass through or over the dam to keep fish downstream 
of the dam in good condition. Data will be collected to assess species 
composition, distribution, abundance, age-class distribution, and 
individual fish condition (size, growth rate, and presence of disease, 
parasites, or lesions) to evaluate the condition of fish in Rector 
Creek downstream of Rector Dam. Results of this study will be used to 
refine the conditions of the Rector Creek release schedule to improve 
habitat conditions for fish species downstream. Fish survey methods 
used will include direct observation using multi-pass snorkeling 
methods, beach seining, dip-netting, and single-pass backpack 
electrofishing. These methods will follow standard guidelines to reduce 
injury to steelhead and other native fish species. 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.

23600

    The University of Washington (UW) is seeking a three-year research 
permit to annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, PS 
steelhead, HCS chum salmon, and PS/GB bocaccio throughout the Puget 
Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, WA. The UW research may also 
cause them to take adult PS/GB yelloweye rockfish, for which there are 
currently no ESA take prohibitions. The purpose of the study is to 
investigate the ecology and movement of broadnose sevengill shark 
(Notorhynchus cepedianus) and bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus 
griseus) and to assess their potential to serve as sentinels for deep 
ocean ecosystems. This research would benefit the affected species by 
providing a better understanding of the marine ecosystem of Puget Sound 
and the Pacific Ocean. The UW proposes to capture fish using longline 
fishing gear. Targeted shark species would be tagged (satellite and 
acoustic), sampled (blood, fin clip, and muscle tissue biopsy), 
measured, and released. ESA-listed rockfish would be tissue sampled 
(fin clip), floy tagged, and released to the water via rapid submersion 
techniques to reduce barotrauma. If a rockfish individual is captured 
dead or deemed nonviable, it would be retained for genetic analysis. 
ESA-listed salmonids would either be immediately released or held an 
aerated livewell until they are ready for release. 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.

23633

    The USFWS is seeking a five-year permit to capture juveniles from 
several species of native lamprey in Abernathy Creek, WA. The 
researchers would use backpack electrofishing units to capture the 
lamprey. Because the researchers are

[[Page 5401]]

targeting lamprey, the electrofishing units would be operated at very 
low setting--settings that generally have very little effect on 
salmonids. Nonetheless, if the researchers do encounter any juvenile 
LCR coho, those fish would be dip-netted, quickly enumerated, and 
returned to the creek downstream of the electrofishing team without 
further handling. Though the listed fish are not the target of the 
research, they would nonetheless benefit from the information to be 
gained. The researchers are collecting data on an important indicator 
of habitat health, and they are doing it in an area that has been 
designated as an ``intensively monitored watershed''--which means that 
managers will easily be able to use any information the researchers 
gather help recover listed salmonids elsewhere in the lower Columbia 
River. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but a 
small number some may die as an inadvertent result of the proposed 
activities.

23637

    The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking a 
five-year permit to tag--with acoustic tags--adult MCR steelhead at 
Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River and monitor their subsequent 
migration patterns and routes. The fish would be taken and tagged as 
they pass through the Bonneville Dam adult fish facility. Captured 
adult steelhead would be anesthetized, held in an oxygenated, river-
temperature tank, and implanted with an acoustic transmitter once they 
are fully anesthetized and deemed ready. Following their recovery from 
anesthesia, tagged adult steelhead would be released immediately 
upstream of the adult fish trap and allowed to proceed up the fish 
ladder to cross Bonneville Dam. The fish would then be tracked by 
acoustic receiver arrays in upstream reservoirs and dams and at a 
location near the confluence of the Columbia and John Day Rivers.
    The research is intended to generate information about adult MCR 
steelhead migration and, in particular, it is intended to help managers 
address the question of why so many steelhead that originate in the 
John Day River tend to swim past that river and continue up the 
Columbia River when they return as adults. Currently, approximately 60% 
of the returning steelhead overshoot the John Day River when they 
return as adults. If managers can figure out why that is the case and 
develop measures to reduce that percentage (i.e., help the fish find 
their way back to their spawning grounds), it could potentially greatly 
increase their survival and, therefore, vastly improve spawning success 
and overall steelhead numbers in the John Day River. The researchers do 
not intend to kill any of the fish being tagged, but some may die as an 
inadvertent result of the capturing and tagging activities.

23629

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking a five-year permit to 
annually take juvenile and adult UWR Chinook salmon, and adult and 
juvenile SONCC coho in the Willamette (Coast Fork and Middle Fork), 
North and South Santiam, McKenzie and Upper Rogue rivers in OR. The 
purpose of this study is to evaluate contaminants, particularly mercury 
in reservoirs/lakes and the relationships between contaminants in 
sediment and biota, water quality, and fish tissue mercury 
concentrations. Researchers will capture fish with back pack and boat 
electrofishing, hook and line, gill nets, beach seines and minnow 
traps. Captured listed fish will be quickly handled and released. A 
subset of other fish will be anesthetized, tissue sampled, allowed to 
recover and released. This research will benefit listed species by 
providing information to assess factors that influence contaminant 
exposure and allow researchers to evaluate contaminant exposure, 
bioaccumulation, and effects in aquatic ecosystems. The researchers do 
not intend to kill any listed fish, but a small number some may die as 
an inadvertent result of the proposed 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: January 27, 2020.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-01684 Filed 1-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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