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]

Download as PDF 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 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 PO 00000 Frm 00053 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]


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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

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