Endangered and Threatened Species: Expiration of Nonessential Experimental Population Designation for Middle Columbia River Steelhead Upstream of Round Butte Dam, Deschutes River Basin, Oregon, 15168-15169 [2024-04311]
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15168
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 42 / Friday, March 1, 2024 / Notices
be on duty and conducting visual
observations at all times during daylight
hours (i.e., from 30 minutes prior to
sunrise through 30 minutes following
sunset). Two PSOs will be on watch
during nighttime operations;
• Pre-Operation Clearance Protocols:
Prior to initiating HRG survey activities,
BPW would implement a 30-minute preoperation clearance period. If any
marine mammals are detected within
the Exclusion Zones prior to or during
ramp-up, the HRG equipment would be
shut down (as described below);
• Shutdown Zones: If an HRG source
is active and a marine mammal is
observed within or entering a relevant
shutdown zone, an immediate
shutdown of the HRG survey equipment
would be required. Note this shutdown
requirement would be waived for
certain genera of small delphinids and
pinnipeds;
• Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures:
Separation distances for large whales
(500 m for North Atlantic right whales;
100 m for sperm whales and all other
baleen whales; 50 m for all other marine
mammals); restricted vessel speeds and
operational maneuvers; and
• Reporting: BPW will submit a
marine mammal report within 90 days
following completion of the surveys.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Comments and Responses
A notice of NMFS’ proposal to issue
a renewal IHA to BPW was published in
the Federal Register on January 31,
2024 (89 FR 6092). That notice either
described, or referenced descriptions of,
BPW’s activity, the marine mammal
species that may be affected by the
activity, the anticipated effects on
marine mammals and their habitat,
estimated amount and manner of take,
and proposed mitigation, monitoring
and reporting measures. NMFS received
no public comments.
Determinations
BPW’s activities consist of a subset of
activities analyzed in the initial IHA. In
analyzing the effects of the activities for
the initial IHA, NMFS determined that
BPW’s activities would have a negligible
impact on the affected species or stocks
and that authorized take numbers of
each species or stock were small relative
to the relevant stocks (e.g., less than
one-third the abundance of all stocks).
The mitigation measures and
monitoring and reporting requirements
as described above are identical to the
initial IHA.
NMFS has concluded that there is no
new information suggesting that our
analysis or findings should change from
those reached for the initial IHA. Based
on the information and analysis
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21:28 Feb 29, 2024
Jkt 262001
contained here and in the referenced
documents, NMFS has determined the
following: (1) the required mitigation
measures will effect the least practicable
adverse impact on marine mammal
species or stocks and their habitat; (2)
the authorized takes will have a
negligible impact on the affected marine
mammal species or stocks; (3) the
authorized takes represent small
numbers of marine mammals relative to
the affected stock abundances; (4)
BPW’s activities will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on taking
for subsistence purposes as no relevant
subsistence uses of marine mammals are
implicated by this action; and (5)
appropriate monitoring and reporting
requirements are included.
National Environmental Policy Act
This action is consistent with
categories of activities identified in
Categorical Exclusion B4 (incidental
take authorizations with no anticipated
serious injury or mortality) of the
Companion Manual for NOAA
Administrative Order 216–6A, which do
not individually or cumulatively have
the potential for significant impacts on
the quality of the human environment
and for which we have not identified
any extraordinary circumstances that
would preclude this categorical
exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS
determined that the issuance of the
initial IHA qualified for categorical
exclusion from further NEPA review.
NMFS has determined that the
application of this categorical exclusion
remains appropriate for this renewal
IHA.
Endangered Species Act
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal
agency insure that any action it
authorizes, funds, or carries out is not
likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of any endangered or
threatened species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of
designated critical habitat. To ensure
ESA compliance for the issuance of
IHAs, NMFS consults internally, in this
case with the NMFS Greater Atlantic
Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO),
whenever we propose to authorize take
for endangered or threatened species.
NMFS Office of Protected Resources
has authorized the incidental take of
four species of marine mammals which
are listed under the ESA (the North
Atlantic right, fin, sei, and sperm whale)
and has determined that these activities
fall within the scope of activities
analyzed in GARFO’s programmatic
consultation regarding geophysical
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
surveys along the U.S. Atlantic coast in
the three Atlantic Renewable Energy
Regions (completed June 29, 2021;
revised September 2021). The Renewal
IHA provides no new information about
the effects of the action, nor does it
change the extent of effects of the
action, or any other basis to require
reinitiation of consultation with NMFS
GARFO; therefore, the ESA consultation
has been satisfied for the initial IHA and
remains valid for the Renewal IHA.
Renewal
NMFS has issued a renewal IHA to
BPW for the take of marine mammals
incidental to conducting marine site
characterization surveys in coastal
waters off of New York and New Jersey
in the New York Bight, from March 1,
2024, through February 28, 2025.
Dated: February 27, 2024.
Kimberly Damon-Randall,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–04391 Filed 2–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XD762]
Endangered and Threatened Species:
Expiration of Nonessential
Experimental Population Designation
for Middle Columbia River Steelhead
Upstream of Round Butte Dam,
Deschutes River Basin, Oregon
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
NMFS hereby gives notice
that the nonessential experimental
population (NEP) designation and
accompanying protective measures for
Middle Columbia River (MCR) steelhead
occurring in all accessible reaches
upstream of Round Butte Dam on the
Deschutes River, Oregon, shall expire at
midnight (00:00 hours; Pacific Standard
Time) on January 15, 2025. Upon
expiration, all steelhead that occur
upstream of Round Butte Dam will be
designated as threatened under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). This
notice does not extend the upstream
limit of existing critical habitat for MCR
steelhead in the Deschutes River, nor
does it designate new critical habitat.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Scott Carlon, Portland, Oregon, (971)
322–7436, email: scott.carlon@noaa.gov.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\01MRN1.SGM
01MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 42 / Friday, March 1, 2024 / Notices
On March
25, 1999, we listed the MCR steelhead
distinct population segment (DPS) as
threatened under the ESA (64 FR
14517). The MCR steelhead DPS range
covers approximately 35,000 square
miles (90,650 square kilometers (km)) of
the Columbia plateau in eastern Oregon
and eastern Washington. The Deschutes
River in central Oregon is one of six
major river basins supporting steelhead
in this distinct population segment.
Since about 1968, the Pelton Round
Butte Hydroelectric Project (Pelton
Round Butte Project) on the Deschutes
River entirely blocked MCR steelhead
from accessing nearly 200 miles (322
km) of historical spawning and rearing
habitat. In 2005, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission issued a new
50-year license for the Pelton Round
Butte Project. The new license required
fish passage and the ensuing
reintroduction of anadromous fish to
historic habitat upstream of the Pelton
Round Butte Project.
The specific stock chosen to initiate
steelhead reintroduction was from the
Round Butte Hatchery, a stock that was
not included in the original 1999 ESA
listing. After the new license was issued
in June 2005 and reintroduction
planning was largely completed, we
included the Round Butte Hatchery
steelhead stock as part of the threatened
group of steelhead (71 FR 834, January
5, 2007), thus the reintroduction
introduced ESA take liabilities to land
and water users upstream of the Pelton
Round Butte Project. We subsequently
issued a final rule for the NEP
designation that had an expiration date
12 years from the effective date of the
final rule (78 FR 2893, January 15,
2013). More information about this
designation, including the additional
protective measures can be found in the
Federal Register notice for that final
rule.
The purpose of the NEP designation
was to temporarily lift certain take
liabilities and consultation requirements
to allow time for local landowners and
municipalities to develop well-informed
conservation measures to support the
reintroduction effort in the Upper
Deschutes River basin. Subsequent to
the NEP designation, eight irrigation
districts and one municipality
completed a large habitat conservation
plan containing measures that address
potential impacts to anadromous fish
species including MCR steelhead. The
habitat conservation plan addresses
nearly all the waters that support MCR
steelhead, and we recently issued an
incidental take permit to the eight
irrigation districts and municipality
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:28 Feb 29, 2024
Jkt 262001
under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA (88
FR 3392, January 19, 2023).
Dated: February 26, 2024.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–04311 Filed 2–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
SEVERELY DISABLED
Procurement List; Proposed Deletions
Committee for Purchase From
People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled.
ACTION: Proposed deletions from the
Procurement List.
AGENCY:
The Committee is proposing
to delete product(s) and service(s) from
the Procurement List that were
furnished by nonprofit agencies
employing persons who are blind or
have other severe disabilities.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before: March 31, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase
From People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled, 355 E Street SW, Suite 325,
Washington, DC 20024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information or to submit
comments contact: Michael R.
Jurkowski, Telephone: (703) 785–6404,
or email CMTEFedReg@AbilityOne.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice is published pursuant to 41
U.S.C. 8503(a)(2) and 41 CFR 51–2.3. Its
purpose is to provide interested persons
an opportunity to submit comments on
the proposed actions.
SUMMARY:
Deletions
The following product(s) and
service(s) are proposed for deletion from
the Procurement List:
Product(s)
NSN(s)—Product Name(s):
5350–00–187–6272—Cloth, Abrasive,
Aluminum-oxide, 100 Grit, Jean Back,
Grey, 50 Yard, 1″, BX/10
5350–00–187–6283—Cloth, Abrasive,
Aluminum-oxide, 100 Grit, Jean Back,
Grey, 50 Yard, 11⁄2″, BX/10
5350–00–187–6281—Cloth, Abrasive,
Aluminum-oxide, 150 Grit, Jean Back,
Grey, 50 Yard, 11⁄2″, BX/10
5350–00–229–3080—Cloth, Abrasive,
Aluminum-oxide, 240 Grit, Jean Back,
Grey, 50 Yard, 3″, BX/10
5350–00–229–3094—Cloth, Abrasive,
Aluminum-oxide, 150 Grit, Jean Back,
Grey, 50 Yard, 3″
Authorized Source of Supply: Louisiana
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
15169
Association for the Blind, Shreveport,
LA
Contracting Activity: GSA/FSS GREATER
SOUTHWEST ACQUISITI, FORT
WORTH, TX
NSN(s)—Product Name(s):
8410–01–456–5800—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 18JR
8410–01–456–5766—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 22WT
8410–01–456–5769—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 24JP
8410–01–456–5780—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 18JP
8410–01–456–5771—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 24JR
8410–01–456–5774—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 24P
8410–01–456–5784—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 24WR
8410–01–456–5786—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 24WT
8410–01–456–5790—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 26JP
8410–01–456–5794—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 26JR
8410–01–456–5803—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 18WT
8410–01–456–5806—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 20JP
8410–01–456–5808—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 20JR
8410–01–456–5809—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 20P
8410–01–456–5812—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 20WT
8410–01–456–5814—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 22JP
8410–01–456–5815—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 22JR
8410–01–456–5817—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 22P
8410–01–456–5820—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 22R
8410–01–456–6281—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 26MP
8410–01–456–6286—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 26R
8410–01–456–6290—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 26MT
8410–01–456–6292—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 26WR
8410–01–456–6295—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 26WT
8410–01–456–6302—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 22MT
8410–00–0SL–K608—Slacks, Dress, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, Special Measurement
8410–01–373–4404—Slacks,
Commissioned and Enlisted, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 4P
8410–01–373–4405—Slacks,
Commissioned and Enlisted, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 6MP
8410–01–373–4406—Slacks,
Commissioned and Enlisted, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 6WP
8410–01–373–4407—Slacks,
Commissioned and Enlisted, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 6WR
8410–01–373–4408—Slacks,
Commissioned and Enlisted, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 8P
8410–01–373–4409—Slacks,
Commissioned and Enlisted, Navy,
Women’s, Blue, 8MT
E:\FR\FM\01MRN1.SGM
01MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 42 (Friday, March 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15168-15169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04311]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD762]
Endangered and Threatened Species: Expiration of Nonessential
Experimental Population Designation for Middle Columbia River Steelhead
Upstream of Round Butte Dam, Deschutes River Basin, Oregon
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS hereby gives notice that the nonessential experimental
population (NEP) designation and accompanying protective measures for
Middle Columbia River (MCR) steelhead occurring in all accessible
reaches upstream of Round Butte Dam on the Deschutes River, Oregon,
shall expire at midnight (00:00 hours; Pacific Standard Time) on
January 15, 2025. Upon expiration, all steelhead that occur upstream of
Round Butte Dam will be designated as threatened under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). This notice does not extend the upstream limit of
existing critical habitat for MCR steelhead in the Deschutes River, nor
does it designate new critical habitat.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Carlon, Portland, Oregon, (971)
322-7436, email: [email protected].
[[Page 15169]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 25, 1999, we listed the MCR
steelhead distinct population segment (DPS) as threatened under the ESA
(64 FR 14517). The MCR steelhead DPS range covers approximately 35,000
square miles (90,650 square kilometers (km)) of the Columbia plateau in
eastern Oregon and eastern Washington. The Deschutes River in central
Oregon is one of six major river basins supporting steelhead in this
distinct population segment. Since about 1968, the Pelton Round Butte
Hydroelectric Project (Pelton Round Butte Project) on the Deschutes
River entirely blocked MCR steelhead from accessing nearly 200 miles
(322 km) of historical spawning and rearing habitat. In 2005, the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new 50-year license for
the Pelton Round Butte Project. The new license required fish passage
and the ensuing reintroduction of anadromous fish to historic habitat
upstream of the Pelton Round Butte Project.
The specific stock chosen to initiate steelhead reintroduction was
from the Round Butte Hatchery, a stock that was not included in the
original 1999 ESA listing. After the new license was issued in June
2005 and reintroduction planning was largely completed, we included the
Round Butte Hatchery steelhead stock as part of the threatened group of
steelhead (71 FR 834, January 5, 2007), thus the reintroduction
introduced ESA take liabilities to land and water users upstream of the
Pelton Round Butte Project. We subsequently issued a final rule for the
NEP designation that had an expiration date 12 years from the effective
date of the final rule (78 FR 2893, January 15, 2013). More information
about this designation, including the additional protective measures
can be found in the Federal Register notice for that final rule.
The purpose of the NEP designation was to temporarily lift certain
take liabilities and consultation requirements to allow time for local
landowners and municipalities to develop well-informed conservation
measures to support the reintroduction effort in the Upper Deschutes
River basin. Subsequent to the NEP designation, eight irrigation
districts and one municipality completed a large habitat conservation
plan containing measures that address potential impacts to anadromous
fish species including MCR steelhead. The habitat conservation plan
addresses nearly all the waters that support MCR steelhead, and we
recently issued an incidental take permit to the eight irrigation
districts and municipality under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA (88 FR
3392, January 19, 2023).
Dated: February 26, 2024.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-04311 Filed 2-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P