Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 14438-14442 [2024-03986]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14438-14442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03986]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD746]


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 of application for 11 permit renewals and 6 
new permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received 17 scientific 
research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, 
steelhead, green sturgeon, rockfish, and eulachon. The proposed 
activities in all permits are 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.

[[Page 14439]]


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 28, 
2024.

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 letter, fax, or email).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Clapp, Portland, OR (phone: (541) 
231-2314, 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 (spr/sum); threatened SnkR fall-run; 
endangered Upper Columbia River (UCR) spring-run; threatened Upper 
Willamette River (UWR), threatened Central Valley spring-run (CVS); 
endangered Sacramento River (SacR) winter-run; threatened California 
Coastal (CC).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened PS; Threatened LCR; threatened 
Middle Columbia River (MCR); threatened SnkR; threatened UCR; 
threatened UWR; threatened Northern California (NC); threatened 
California Central Valley (CCV).
    Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Hood Canal Summer-run (HCS); 
threatened Columbia River (CR).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened LCR; threatened Oregon Coast 
(OC); threatened Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC).
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Endangered SnkR.
    Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): Threatened southern Distinct 
Population Segment (SDPS).
    Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris): Threatened SDPS.
    Rockfish (Sebastes spp.): Endangered Puget Sound/Georgia Basin (PS/
GB) bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis); threatened PS/GB yelloweye 
rockfish (S. ruberrimus).

Authority

    Scientific research permits and permits to enhance propagation or 
survival are issued in accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and regulations governing listed fish and 
wildlife permits (50 CFR 222-226). NMFS issues permits based on 
findings that such permits: (1) are applied for in good faith; (2) if 
granted and exercised, would not operate to the disadvantage of the 
listed species that are the subject of the permit; and (3) are 
consistent with the purposes and policy of section 2 of the ESA. The 
authority to take listed species is subject to conditions set forth in 
the permits.
    Anyone requesting a hearing on an application listed in this notice 
should set out the specific reasons why a hearing on that application 
would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such hearings are held at the 
discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS.

Applications Received

Permit 1127-7R

    The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are seeking to renew a permit that for 
nearly three decades has allowed them to annually take listed SR 
steelhead and spr/sum Chinook salmon while conducting research designed 
to (1) monitor adult and juvenile fish in key upper SnkR subbasin 
watersheds; (2) assess the utility of hatchery Chinook salmon in 
increasing natural populations in the Salmon River; and (3) evaluate 
the genetic and ecological impacts hatchery Chinook salmon may have on 
natural populations. The fish would primarily benefit from the research 
in two ways. First, the research would broadly be used to help guide 
restoration and recovery efforts throughout the SnkR basin. Second, the 
research would be used to determine how hatchery supplementation can be 
used as a tool for salmon recovery. The research would also help the 
Tribes re-establish traditional fishing opportunities and connect with 
and protect cultural, ecological, and social values and rights.
    The researchers would use screw traps, weirs, electrofishing, and 
hook-and-line angling gear to capture the listed fish. Once captured, 
the fish would undergo various sampling, tagging, and handling regimes; 
they would then be allowed to recover and released. Some tissue samples 
would be taken from adult fish carcasses, and the researchers would 
conduct some snorkeling surveys and redd counts. In all cases, trained 
crews would conduct the operations, no adult salmonids would be 
electrofished, and all activities would take place in the Salmon River 
subbasin. The researchers are not proposing to kill any of the fish 
they capture, but some may die as an unintended result of the research.

Permit 1410-14R

    The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is seeking to renew 
a research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile and adult 
CC, CVS, LCR, PS, SacR, SnkR fall-run, SnkR spr/sum, UCR, and UWR 
Chinook salmon; CR chum salmon; LCR, OC, and SONCC coho salmon; SnkR 
sockeye salmon; and LCR, MCR, SnkR, UCR, and UWR steelhead while 
conducting a study of the Columbia River plume and the surrounding 
ocean environment off the coasts of Oregon and Washington. The NWFSC 
research may also cause them to take SDPS eulachon, a species for which 
there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. This renewal would also 
allow the researchers to lethally sample a subset of adult salmon to 
allow for tissue and otolith collection. The purposes of the research 
are to (1) determine the abundance, distribution, growth, and condition 
of juvenile Columbia River salmonids in the river's plume and 
characterize its physical and biological features as they relate to 
salmonid survival; (2) determine the impact that predators and food 
supply have on survival among juvenile Columbia River Chinook and coho 
salmon as they migrate through the Columbia River estuary and plume; 
and (3) synthesize the early ocean ecology of juvenile Columbia River 
salmonids, test mechanisms that control salmonid growth and survival, 
and produce ecological indices that forecast salmonid survival.
    The research would benefit the affected species by (1) providing 
data to improve understanding of how the ocean and Columbia River plume 
conditions affect juvenile salmonids; (2) helping predict how changing 
ocean conditions would affect salmonid growth and survival; and (3) 
helping improve salmon management actions in relation to river, plume, 
and ocean conditions. Information on adults would also help researchers 
better understand the relationship between older salmon individuals and 
predators such as Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs). The NWFSC 
proposes to capture fish using a surface trawl, which can cause 
lethally crush and descale juvenile salmonids and eulachon. Juvenile 
salmonids would be identified to species, measured for length, and 
frozen for further analysis (i.e., weight, growth, genetics, diet 
(stomach contents), parasites, pathogens, and physiological condition). 
All juvenile salmon are lethally sampled, and a

[[Page 14440]]

subset of adult salmon will be lethally sampled for tissue analyses 
including otoliths and stomach contents. The remaining adult salmonids 
that are not lethally sampled would be held in an aerated livewell, 
identified to species, measured for length, checked for tags and marks, 
and released. Eulachon would either be returned to the capture location 
or retained for further scientific research activities at the NWFSC.

Permit 1484-8R

    The Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is seeking to 
renew for 5 years a permit that currently authorizes them to take 
juvenile CR chum salmon, LCR Chinook salmon, LCR coho salmon, and LCR 
and MCR steelhead in WDNR-managed forests in Washington State. The 
purpose of the study is to survey stream reaches above natural barriers 
to determine if fish are present. This information is needed to 
determine appropriate widths of riparian buffers to leave intact during 
timber harvest. This study would benefit listed species by documenting 
the need for increased riparian buffers, which better protect aquatic 
and riparian habitat where fish are present. In addition, data on the 
distribution of fish gained from this study would be used to inform 
land management decisions and thereby better protect listed species.
    The WDNR proposes to capture juvenile fish using single-pass 
backpack electrofishing. The researchers would turn off the electricity 
as soon as a fish is seen. Fish would be identified regardless of 
whether they are netted; if fish are netted they would be held in the 
water only long enough to identify them and then released at the site 
of capture. The WDNR does not intend to kill any of the fish being 
captured, but a small number may die as an unintended consequence of 
the proposed activities.

Permit 14046-5R

    The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (KCDNRP) 
is seeking to renew for 5 years a research permit that currently allows 
them to take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. Sampling 
sites would be in four Puget Sound (Washington) sub-basins--Snoqualmie, 
Lake Washington, Duwamish, and Puyallup--and intertidal nearshore areas 
in the Puget Sound (King County, Washington). The purposes of the study 
are to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of restoration actions through 
biological monitoring; (2) understand how juvenile salmonids use 
specific riverine habitats in order to prioritize restoration projects 
and guide project design; (3) assess salmonid habitat status and trends 
in small streams with varying degrees of land use while monitoring 
current stream conditions; and (4) assess contaminant levels in various 
freshwater fish. The research would benefit the affected species by 
determining how restoration and recovery actions are contributing to 
listed species recovery, providing information on the extent of 
juvenile salmonid rearing in off-channel areas, guiding future 
restoration projects based upon monitoring results, providing 
information on habitat use by yearling fall-run Chinook salmon, and 
contributing to our knowledge of Chinook salmon life histories.
    The KCDNRP proposes to capture fish using beach seines, fyke nets, 
gill nets, hook and line angling, minnow traps, and backpack and boat-
operated electrofishing. Most of the captured fish would be 
anaesthetized, identified to species, allowed to recover, and released. 
A subset of the Chinook salmon would also be tagged (acoustic, passive 
integrated transponder (PIT), and elastomer), dyed (Bismark Brown), 
gastric lavaged, and have scales collected. The researchers do not 
intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent 
result of the research.

Permit 15207-5R

    The Amnis Opes Institute (AOI) is seeking to renew for 5 years a 
research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile and adult 
LCR, PS, SnkR fall-run, SnkR spr/sum, UCR, and UWR Chinook salmon; CR 
and HCS chum salmon; LCR, OC, and SONCC coho salmon; SnkR sockeye 
salmon; and LCR, MCR, PS, SnkR, UCR, and UWR steelhead throughout 
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington States. The purpose of the study is to 
develop baseline data of the physical and chemical habitat for rivers 
and streams throughout the United States. Research transects would be 
randomly determined and would take place on alternating sides of the 
sampled rivers and streams for a distance of 40 times the mean wetted 
channel width. The researchers would stop every five channel widths to 
process the fish. This research would benefit the affected species by 
characterizing the biological condition of rivers and thereby provide 
data that supports Clean Water Act implementation.
    The AOI researchers propose to capture fish using raft-mounted and 
backpack electrofishing equipment; stunned fish would be placed in a 
livewell with a soft mesh dip-net. Fish would be identified to species, 
measured to length, searched for abnormalities, and returned to the 
water when recovered. ESA-listed species would be processed and 
released first. If adult salmonids are observed, electrofishing 
activities would immediately cease and the researchers would move to 
another location before resuming electrofishing activities. The 
researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as 
an inadvertent result of the research.

16344-3R

    The Oregon State University is seeking to renew for 5 years a 
research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile listed 
hatchery SONCC coho in the Upper Klamath River. The purposes of this 
research are to (1) determine the effects of infection by the myxozoan 
parasite Ceratonova shasta on coho salmon; and (2) estimate disease 
effects for each study year on the wild coho population. The work would 
benefit fish by providing information on endemic C. shasta levels in 
the Klamath River and thereby help managers monitor and mitigate the 
parasite's effects on listed species.
    Juvenile coho salmon from Iron Gate, Fall Creek and/or Trinity 
River hatcheries would be transported to selected locations on the 
Klamath River and monitored for disease after the exposure to C. 
shasta. Following exposure, all fish would be transported to the Oregon 
State University J. L. Fryer Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory where 
time to morbidity, overall morbidity and infection prevalence would be 
ascertained through microscopic and molecular analysis of intestinal 
tissues. Because all of the fish will be exposed to the parasite C. 
shasta, they cannot be released after the experiments. In addition, 
infection prevalence data are needed which requires euthanizing all 
fish surviving the exposures, since surviving fish may still be 
infected with the parasite.

Permit 18260-3R

    The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation (CTWS) is 
seeking to renew for 5 years a permit that currently authorizes them to 
take juvenile and adult LCR Chinook salmon, LCR coho salmon, and LCR 
and MCR steelhead. The purpose of the study is to describe abundance, 
habitat associations, spawning, distribution, migration patterns, 
harvest rates, and limiting factors for Pacific lamprey in Fifteen Mile 
Creek and Hood River and their tributaries (Oregon). The research would 
provide important basic ecological information about Pacific lamprey, 
which is not ESA-listed, but which is an important indicator species

[[Page 14441]]

for characterizing watershed health. Although researchers are targeting 
juvenile and adult Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) for 
capture, other species may be taken during sampling activities. The 
research would benefit listed species by improving understanding of 
watershed condition and helping managers prioritize habitat restoration 
projects in the Fifteen Mile Creek and Hood River basins. The work 
would also help the CTWS people re-connect with, increase, and manage a 
traditional food source.
    The CTWS proposes to collect fish from March through October using 
backpack electrofishing and hand, dip, fyke, and hoop nets. During 
electrofishing surveys, the researchers would use ``lamprey settings'' 
(i.e., very low voltage). The researchers would set hoop (0.8 meter (m) 
diameter with 1.9 centimeter (cm) mesh) and fyke (2.5 m high by 2.75 m 
wide with 1.9 cm mesh size) nets facing downstream in low velocity 
areas. They will modify the fyke net to deter adult steelhead from 
entering the hoop net by tying twine across the first throat of the net 
to create an effective mesh size across the opening of 7.5 cm. This 
modification has effectively deterred steelhead from entering fyke nets 
set in previous fieldwork. The researchers propose to measure and PIT- 
or radio-tag adult lamprey before releasing them. The researchers would 
immediately release any salmonids that are captured or briefly hold 
them in buckets of water before releasing them if they require time to 
recover from being captured. If salmonids are observed during 
electrofishing, the researchers would immediately turn off the 
electricity and allow fish to swim away. The CTWS does not propose to 
kill any listed salmonids, but a small number may die as an unintended 
result of the research activities.

Permit 18331-3R

    The Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) is seeking to renew for 5 years a 
research permit that currently allows them to take juvenile PS Chinook 
salmon and PS steelhead in selected stream channels and floodplain 
areas throughout the Kitsap and Snoqualmie sub-basins of Washington 
State. The purpose of the study is to classify existing channels by 
water type and thereby validate and update county, city, and WDNR 
stream classifications and hydrological maps. This research would 
benefit the affected species by filling data gaps regarding fish 
passage impediments (tidegates, culverts, etc.) and providing fish 
species composition and distribution--information needed to identify, 
prioritize, and implement restoration projects.
    The WFC proposes to capture fish using backpack electrofishing. 
Fish would be identified to species, tissue sampled (caudal fin clip--
steelhead only), and released. Once fish presence is established, 
either through visual observation or electrofishing, electrofishing 
would be discontinued. Surveyors would then proceed upstream until a 
change in habitat parameters is encountered and electrofishing would 
recommence. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but 
some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

Permit 22003-2R

    The KCDNRP is seeking to renew a 5-year research permit that 
currently allows them to annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook 
salmon, PS steelhead, and PS/GB bocaccio and adult SDPS green sturgeon 
in the marine waters and shorelines of King County (Washington State). 
The KCDNRP research may also cause them to take juvenile and adult SDPS 
eulachon and PS/GB yelloweye rockfish--species for which there are 
currently no ESA take prohibitions. The purpose of the study is to 
capture English sole, brown rockfish (Sebastes auriculatus), copper 
rockfish (Sebastes caurinus), quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger), 
and various forage fish to monitor tissue levels of toxic chemical 
contaminants. This research would benefit the affected species by (1) 
providing information on the types and concentrations of chemicals in 
fish; (2) helping managers understand the impact chemical exposures 
have on marine fish health; (3) filling data gaps to help managers make 
informed management decisions; and (4) informing a long-term program to 
evaluate changes in chemical body burdens in fish over time as 
environmental improvements are made (stormwater discharges reduced, 
contaminated sediments remediated, etc.).
    The KCDNRP proposes to capture fish using bottom trawls, beach 
seines, cast nets, and hook and line (sabiki rigs). Captured ESA-listed 
fish would be identified to species and released. Listed rockfish would 
be released via rapid submergence to their capture depth to reduce 
adverse effects from barotrauma. Targeted species (and incidental 
mortalities) would be sacrificed, stored on ice, and analyzed for 
contaminants. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, 
but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

Permit 22319-3R

    Herrera Environmental Consultants (HEC) is seeking to renew a 5-
year research permit that currently allows them to annually take 
juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead while conducting a study in 
streams near Redmond, Washington. The purpose of the research is to 
conduct a paired watershed study monitoring stream health by collecting 
benthic macroinvertebrates in urban and nearby relatively pristine 
streams. Due to the collection methods, there is a possibility of 
capturing juvenile salmonids. The research would benefit listed fish by 
determining the effectiveness of stormwater management in urban streams 
which can lead directly to water quality and habitat improvement.
    The HEC proposes to use a D-frame kick net to capture the fish. Any 
fish captured would be identified to species and released. The 
researchers do not intend to kill any of the fish being captured, but a 
small number may die as an unintended consequence of the proposed 
activities.

Permit 22865-2R

    The United States Forest Service (USFS) is seeking to renew a 
permit that currently allows them to annually take juvenile UCR Chinook 
salmon, UCR steelhead, and MCR steelhead during research activities 
taking place at various points in the Yakima, Methow, Entiat, and 
Wenatchee River drainages in Washington State. The purpose of the 
research is to determine fish distribution in those subbasins. The 
research would benefit the fish by giving land managers information 
they need to design forest management activities (e.g., timber sales, 
grazing plans, road building) in a manner that would help them have the 
smallest possible effect on listed species.
    Under the renewed permit, the USFS would use using minnow traps, 
hook-and-line angling, and electrofishing equipment to capture the 
fish. The fish would then be identified and immediately released 
whenever possible. The USFS does not intend to kill any of the listed 
fish being captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result 
of the research activities.

Permit 26300

    The Fishery Foundation of California is seeking a new permit that 
would authorize them to take juvenile CVS Chinook salmon, CCV 
steelhead, and juvenile SDPS green sturgeon. The purpose of this study 
is to document the presence of native fish species in

[[Page 14442]]

Snodgrass Slough, the Cosumnes River and Laguna Creek in Sacramento 
County, CA prior to a large floodplain restoration project. The study 
would benefit affected species by providing data on species presence, 
seasonal water conditions and migratory windows that will inform the 
restoration project.
    Juveniles would be collected via beach seine and fyke net. Juvenile 
fish would be captured, handled, and released. The researchers are not 
proposing to kill any of the listed fish being captured, but a small 
number of fish may be killed as an inadvertent result of these 
activities.

Permit 27337

    The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (LEKT) is seeking a 5-year permit 
that would allow them to take juvenile HCS chum and PS Chinook and PS 
steelhead during the course of research designed to determine fish and 
shellfish presence and use in a 28-acre estuarine lagoon at the base of 
Ediz Hook in Port Angeles, WA. The study would benefit affected species 
by providing data on species presence, and that information, along with 
detailed habitat and water quality data, would be used to inform future 
restoration actions in the area. Those restoration actions, in turn, 
would help the LEKT people once again conduct traditional fishing and 
shellfishing activities in the lagoon.
    The fish would be captured primarily by beach seining, but some may 
be captured in fukui and minnow traps. Once captured, the fish would 
simply be handled and released. The researchers are not proposing to 
kill any of the listed fish being captured, but a small number of fish 
may be killed as an inadvertent result of the proposed activities.

Permit 27619

    The Scott River Water Trust is seeking a new permit that would 
authorize them to take juvenile and adult SONCC coho salmon in the 
Scott River, CA. The purpose of this study is to assess fish passage at 
Youngs Dam to determine how and when juvenile and adult salmon utilize 
the fish ladder at Youngs Dam. The project seeks to determine an ideal 
flow target through the fish ladder in an effort to improve fish 
passage at the dam as well as the fish ladder. The study would benefit 
SONCC coho by providing data to identify and inform recommendations to 
improve volitional fish passage through Youngs Dam.
    Juveniles would be collected via beach seines and observed during 
snorkel surveys. Juvenile coho would be captured, handled, and 
released. A subsample of captured juveniles would be anesthetized, 
tissue sampled and PIT-tagged prior to release. Adult coho would be 
observed at weirs, fish ladders, dam and during snorkel surveys. The 
researchers are not proposing to kill any of the listed fish being 
captured, but a small number of fish may be killed as an inadvertent 
result of these activities.

Permit 27869

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking a 5-year 
permit that would allow them to take juvenile HCS chum and PS Chinook 
and PS steelhead during the course of research designed to determine 
what effect the hatchery barriers have on the distribution of migratory 
sculpin (with considerations for how these barriers may also be 
affecting the distributions of strictly fluvial sculpin species). The 
research would benefit listed species by producing data on how hatchery 
weirs affect salmonid migrations in the areas being studied. That data 
could then be used to modify weir operations for the benefit of the 
migrating fish.
    The fish would be largely be collected by electrofishing, but 
seining or dipnetting may also be employed. All listed fish would be 
immediately released without further handling. Sampling would cease and 
the activity would be moved if adult Chinook, chum, or steelhead (or 
their redds) are encountered at any time during a survey. The 
researchers are not proposing to kill any of the listed fish being 
captured, but a small number of fish may be killed as an inadvertent 
result of these activities.

Permit 27874

    The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking a 
new permit that would authorize them to take juvenile and adult SDPS 
green sturgeon in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, CA. The 
purpose of this study is to develop an indices of white sturgeon 
abundance for use in species management. Though non-listed white 
sturgeon are the target species, green sturgeon might be encountered.
    Juvenile and adult SDPS green sturgeon would be collected via long 
line and hook and line sampling and observed via camera and sonar. 
Juvenile and adult fish would be captured, handled, tagged, and 
released. The researchers are not proposing to kill any of the listed 
fish being captured, but a small number of fish may be killed as an 
inadvertent result of these activities.

Permit 28047

    The USFWS is seeking a 5-year permit that would allow them to take 
juvenile LCR, UWR, PS, and CC Chinook; CR and HCS chum; LCR, PS, UWR, 
and NC steelhead; and LCR, OC, and SONCC coho. The fish would be taken 
during efforts to determine the uppermost ranges of several species of 
fish in more than 20 subbasins in Western Oregon and Washington and 
Northern California. The research would produce a large amount of 
presence/absence data on listed fish and thus help managers plan and 
carry out land management actions across a broad portion of three 
states.
    The researchers would use backpack electrofishing units to capture 
the fish. Once captured, all listed salmonids would simply be 
identified and immediately released. In all cases, the researchers 
would be operating near what is already considered to be the upper 
limit of trout distribution, so they are unlikely to encounter many 
listed fish in any case. Regardless, the researchers are not proposing 
to kill any of the listed fish being captured, but a small number of 
fish may be killed as an inadvertent result of these 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: February 21, 2024.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-03986 Filed 2-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P