Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 8571-8572 [2020-02995]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 31 / Friday, February 14, 2020 / Notices SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA039] Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of one Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit to enhance the propagation and survival of threatened species. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued one direct take permit (#14741) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, to the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) for the Carmel River Steelhead Rescue and Rearing Enhancement Program (Program) for a five year period (with the opportunity for a five year renewal). On June 4, 2018, NMFS provided notice of our receipt of this permit application and Rescue and Rearing Management Plan (RRMP) in the Federal Register. The RRMP specifies operational methods for South-Central California Coast (S–CCC) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) rescue, rearing, and translocation activities associated with the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (Facility). The Facility is located on the Carmel River on the Central California Coast. DATES: Permit 14741, issued on September 30, 2019, has an expiration date of September 30, 2024, with the opportunity for a five year renewal. The issued permits are subject to certain conditions set forth therein. Subsequent to issuance, the necessary countersignatures by the applicants were received. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the decision documents or any of the other associated materials should be directed to NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, California Coast Office, USGS Pacific Coast & Marine Science Center, 2885 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. The decision documents for Permit 14741 are also available online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/ notice-issuance-permit-implementationcarmel-river-steelhead-rescue-andrearing-enhancement. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Seghesio at 707–578–8515, Erin.Seghesio@noaa.gov or Mandy Ingham at 831–460–7580, Mandy.Ingham@noaa.gov. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:03 Feb 13, 2020 Jkt 250001 Species Covered in this Notice This notice is relevant to the following listed species: South-Central California Coast (S–CCC) Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Distinct Population Segment (DPS), which is listed as threatened. Authority Enhancement permits are issued in accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and regulations governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222–227). 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. Permit 14741 The District has been issued a permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA for a period of five years that allows the take of juvenile and adult steelhead from the threatened S–CCC DPS pursuant to the RRMP. The RRMP was developed with technical assistance from NMFS. The Program’s objective is to assist with the restoration, conservation, and maintenance of the steelhead population in the Carmel River Watershed as mitigation for environmental impacts caused by diversion of surface and subsurface streamflow in the lower 38.6 kilometers (24 miles) of the mainstem Carmel River. The Program which was initiated in 1997, was necessary to ensure compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) from the environmental impacts of California American Water Company’s water withdrawals. The RRMP will be implemented as an enhancement program, and actions taken pursuant to the permit are designed to enhance survival of S–CCC steelhead that are subject to annual lowflow river dryback. The RRMP incorporates three main components: (1) Rescue and relocation activities; (2) captive rearing activities, and (3) subsequent post-release monitoring. There is no captive spawning of steelhead reared at the facility. Activities that constitute take of S– CCC steelhead and are permitted include rearing, handling and transport, and tagging. The RRMP includes measures to minimize the likelihood of genetic or ecologic effects to naturally PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8571 produced S–CCC steelhead resulting from operations at the Facility and translocation activities. Post-release monitoring activities conducted by the District will collect necessary data to document the achievement of performance indicators specified in the RRMP. For a more detailed discussion of these activities, please see the associated documents at https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/noticeissuance-permit-implementationcarmel-river-steelhead-rescue-andrearing-enhancement. NEPA Determination NOAA’s Policy and Procedures for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Related Authorities (NOAA Administrative Order 216–6A and Companion Manual for NAO 216–6A) establishes that all NOAA major Federal actions be reviewed with respect to environmental consequences on the human environment. NOAA Administrative Order 216–6A and Companion Manual for NAO 216–6A were used to examine the issuance of Permit 14741 for its potential to impact the quality of the human environment. NMFS concluded that the issuance of Permit 14741 would not have a significant adverse effect, individually or cumulatively, on the human environment and does not involve any extraordinary circumstances listed in the Companion Manual for NAO 216– 6A. Further, it was determined that the Program may appropriately be categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare either an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, in accordance with the Companion Manual for NAO 216–6A. Specifically, this project fits under the categorical exclusion described in the Companion Manual for NAO 216–6A, B1, issuance of permits or permit modifications under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA for take, import, or export of endangered species for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the affected species, or in accordance with the requirements of an ESA section 4(d) regulation for threatened species. Public Comments On June 4, 2018, NMFS provided notice of our receipt of the ESA Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit application and RRMP in the Federal Register (83 FR 25648), which also initiated a 30-day public comment period. NMFS reviewed all comments, conducted extensive literature reviews, consulted with fish culturists, and analyzed stocking data to address comments. E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM 14FEN1 8572 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 31 / Friday, February 14, 2020 / Notices NMFS devised a suite of recommendations for the District to consider implementing to improve the Program. The Program modifications were added as an addendum to the RRMP. Dated: February 10, 2020. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–02995 Filed 2–13–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA042] Fisheries of the Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 65 Assessment Webinar I for Highly Migratory Species Atlantic Blacktip Shark. AGENCY: The SEDAR 65 assessment of the Atlantic stock of Blacktip Shark will consist of a series of workshops and webinars: Data Workshop; Assessment Webinars; and a Review workshop. DATES: The SEDAR 65 Assessment Webinar I has been scheduled for March 26, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., EST. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held via webinar. The webinar is open to members of the public. Registration is available online at: https:// attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 8955867858539392267. SEDAR address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. Charleston, SC 29405; www.sedarweb.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Howington, SEDAR Coordinator, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; phone: (843) 571–4366; email: Kathleen.Howington@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions, have implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, a multi-step method for khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:56 Feb 13, 2020 Jkt 250001 determining the status of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a threestep process including: (1) Data Workshop; (2) Assessment Process utilizing webinars; and (3) Review Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a data report which compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses. The product of the Assessment Process is a stock assessment report which describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The assessment is independently peer reviewed at the Review Workshop. The product of the Review Workshop is a Summary documenting panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data. Participants for SEDAR Workshops are appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, and Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Participants include: Data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including fishermen, environmentalists, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); international experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies. The items of discussion at the Assessment webinar I are as follows: • Introduce and discuss uncertainty analyses (alternative states of nature) and develop reference case model run(s) which are robust to the major uncertainties identified. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations This meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council office (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 10, 2020. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–02968 Filed 2–13–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XR093] Marine Mammals; File No. 23203 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston, Clear Lake (Responsible Party: George Guillen), 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Box 540, Houston, TX 77508–1002, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). SUMMARY: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before March 16, 2020. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review by selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species (APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 23203 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the subject line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific DATES: E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM 14FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8571-8572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02995]



[[Page 8571]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA039]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of one Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit to enhance 
the propagation and survival of threatened species.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued one direct take 
permit (#14741) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, 
as amended, to the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District 
(District) for the Carmel River Steelhead Rescue and Rearing 
Enhancement Program (Program) for a five year period (with the 
opportunity for a five year renewal). On June 4, 2018, NMFS provided 
notice of our receipt of this permit application and Rescue and Rearing 
Management Plan (RRMP) in the Federal Register. The RRMP specifies 
operational methods for South-Central California Coast (S-CCC) 
steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) rescue, rearing, and translocation 
activities associated with the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility 
(Facility). The Facility is located on the Carmel River on the Central 
California Coast.

DATES: Permit 14741, issued on September 30, 2019, has an expiration 
date of September 30, 2024, with the opportunity for a five year 
renewal. The issued permits are subject to certain conditions set forth 
therein. Subsequent to issuance, the necessary countersignatures by the 
applicants were received.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the decision documents or any of the 
other associated materials should be directed to NOAA's National Marine 
Fisheries Service, California Coast Office, USGS Pacific Coast & Marine 
Science Center, 2885 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. The decision 
documents for Permit 14741 are also available online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/notice-issuance-permit-implementation-carmel-river-steelhead-rescue-and-rearing-enhancement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Seghesio at 707-578-8515, 
[email protected] or Mandy Ingham at 831-460-7580, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Species Covered in this Notice

    This notice is relevant to the following listed species: South-
Central California Coast (S-CCC) Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) 
Distinct Population Segment (DPS), which is listed as threatened.

Authority

    Enhancement permits are issued in accordance with section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and regulations 
governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222-227). 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.

Permit 14741

    The District has been issued a permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of 
the ESA for a period of five years that allows the take of juvenile and 
adult steelhead from the threatened S-CCC DPS pursuant to the RRMP. The 
RRMP was developed with technical assistance from NMFS. The Program's 
objective is to assist with the restoration, conservation, and 
maintenance of the steelhead population in the Carmel River Watershed 
as mitigation for environmental impacts caused by diversion of surface 
and subsurface streamflow in the lower 38.6 kilometers (24 miles) of 
the mainstem Carmel River. The Program which was initiated in 1997, was 
necessary to ensure compliance with California Environmental Quality 
Act (CEQA) from the environmental impacts of California American Water 
Company's water withdrawals.
    The RRMP will be implemented as an enhancement program, and actions 
taken pursuant to the permit are designed to enhance survival of S-CCC 
steelhead that are subject to annual low-flow river dryback. The RRMP 
incorporates three main components: (1) Rescue and relocation 
activities; (2) captive rearing activities, and (3) subsequent post-
release monitoring. There is no captive spawning of steelhead reared at 
the facility.
    Activities that constitute take of S-CCC steelhead and are 
permitted include rearing, handling and transport, and tagging. The 
RRMP includes measures to minimize the likelihood of genetic or 
ecologic effects to naturally produced S-CCC steelhead resulting from 
operations at the Facility and translocation activities. Post-release 
monitoring activities conducted by the District will collect necessary 
data to document the achievement of performance indicators specified in 
the RRMP. For a more detailed discussion of these activities, please 
see the associated documents at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/notice-issuance-permit-implementation-carmel-river-steelhead-rescue-and-rearing-enhancement.

NEPA Determination

    NOAA's Policy and Procedures for Compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Related Authorities (NOAA 
Administrative Order 216-6A and Companion Manual for NAO 216-6A) 
establishes that all NOAA major Federal actions be reviewed with 
respect to environmental consequences on the human environment. NOAA 
Administrative Order 216-6A and Companion Manual for NAO 216-6A were 
used to examine the issuance of Permit 14741 for its potential to 
impact the quality of the human environment. NMFS concluded that the 
issuance of Permit 14741 would not have a significant adverse effect, 
individually or cumulatively, on the human environment and does not 
involve any extraordinary circumstances listed in the Companion Manual 
for NAO 216-6A. Further, it was determined that the Program may 
appropriately be categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare 
either an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, 
in accordance with the Companion Manual for NAO 216-6A. Specifically, 
this project fits under the categorical exclusion described in the 
Companion Manual for NAO 216-6A, B1, issuance of permits or permit 
modifications under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA for take, import, or 
export of endangered species for scientific purposes or to enhance the 
propagation or survival of the affected species, or in accordance with 
the requirements of an ESA section 4(d) regulation for threatened 
species.

Public Comments

    On June 4, 2018, NMFS provided notice of our receipt of the ESA 
Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit application and RRMP in the Federal Register 
(83 FR 25648), which also initiated a 30-day public comment period. 
NMFS reviewed all comments, conducted extensive literature reviews, 
consulted with fish culturists, and analyzed stocking data to address 
comments.

[[Page 8572]]

NMFS devised a suite of recommendations for the District to consider 
implementing to improve the Program. The Program modifications were 
added as an addendum to the RRMP.

    Dated: February 10, 2020.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-02995 Filed 2-13-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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