Notice2023-00915
Endangered Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Primary source
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Published
January 19, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that NMFS received an application from the Wiyot Tribe in Loleta, California for modification and renewal of an U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10(a)(1)(A) scientific and enhancement permit (Permit 22270-2R). The purpose of the permit is to enhance the survival of threatened Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch); threatened California Coast (CC) ESU Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha); and threatened Northern California (NC) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead (O. mykiss) by segregating and removing predatory non-native Sacramento River pikeminnow using a variety of techniques. The University of California at Berkeley and Stillwater Sciences are co-investigators on the permit and will assist with implementation of the permit activities. The public is hereby notified that the application for Permit 22270-2R is available for review and comment before NMFS either approves or disapproves the application.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3390-3392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00915]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC675]
Endangered Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt; for modification and renewal of an existing
scientific research and enhancement permit.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS received an application from
the Wiyot Tribe in Loleta, California for modification and renewal of
an U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10(a)(1)(A) scientific and
enhancement permit (Permit 22270-2R). The purpose of the permit is to
enhance the survival of threatened Southern Oregon/Northern California
Coast (SONCC) Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) of coho salmon
(Oncorhynchus kisutch); threatened California Coast (CC) ESU Chinook
salmon (O. tshawytscha); and threatened Northern California (NC)
Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead (O. mykiss) by
segregating and removing predatory non-native Sacramento River
pikeminnow using a variety of techniques. The University of California
at Berkeley and Stillwater Sciences are co-investigators on the permit
and will assist with implementation of the permit activities. The
public is hereby notified that the application for Permit 22270-2R is
available for review and comment before NMFS either approves or
disapproves the application.
DATES: Written comments on the permit application must be received at
the appropriate email address (see ADDRESSES) on or before February 21,
2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the permit application should be
submitted to Matt Goldsworthy via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2865495c5c066f47444c5b5f475a5c40516846474949064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c984a8bdbde78ea6a5adbabea6bbbda1b089a7a6a8a8e7aea6bf">[email protected]</span></a>
with ``Permit 22270-2R'' referenced in the subject line. The permit
application and Weir Operations Plan is available for review online at
the Authorizations and Permits for Protected Species website: <a href="https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm">https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Goldsworthy (phone: 707-357-1338
or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#efa28e9b9bc1a880838b9c98809d9b8796af81808e8ec1888099"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8a5899c9cc6af87848c9b9f879a9c8091a886878989c68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Species Covered in This Notice
Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) Evolutionary
Significant Unit (ESU) of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch);
California Coast (CC) ESU of Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha); and
Northern California (NC) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead
(O. mykiss).
Authority
Scientific research and 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 222-
227). NMFS issues permits based on findings that such permits: (1) are
applied for in good faith; (2) would not operate to the disadvantage of
the listed species which are the subject of the permits; and (3) are
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in Section 2 of the
ESA. Authority to take listed species is subject to conditions set
forth in the permits.
This notice is provided pursuant to Section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS
will evaluate the application, associated documents, and any comment
submitted to determine whether the application meets 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 and consideration of any comment submitted therein. NMFS will
publish notice of its final action in the Federal Register.
Those individuals requesting a hearing on the application listed in
this notice should provide the specific reasons why a hearing on the
application would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such a hearing is
held at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for NOAA
Fisheries.
Permit Application Received:
Permit 22270-2R
The Wiyot Tribe in Loleta, California applied for modification and
renewal of a Section 10(a)(1)(A) scientific research and enhancement
permit (Permit 22270-2R). The University of California at Berkeley and
Stillwater Sciences are co-investigators on the permit and will assist
with implementation of the permit activities. The application involves
research and activities to enhance the survival of threatened Southern
Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) Evolutionary Significant Unit
(ESU) of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch); threatened California
Coast (CC) ESU Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha); and threatened Northern
California (NC) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead (O.
mykiss) by segregating and removing predatory non-native river
pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis) using a variety of techniques.
This project's objectives are to: (1) remove large numbers of
predatory non-native Sacramento River pikeminnow from the mainstems of
the South Fork Eel River, Van Duzen River, and Lower Eel River to
increase survival of listed salmonids and other native species; (2)
continue to refine methods and strategies for pikeminnow population
[[Page 3391]]
suppression across a range of habitats; (3) operate a resistance board
weir to segregate pikeminnow from the South Fork Eel River headwaters
and further suppress their population; and (4) evaluate pikeminnow and
salmonid responses to suppression activities. This work, which may
occur for up to five years, will affect SONCC coho salmon, CC Chinook
salmon, and NC steelhead.
Suppression techniques will include boat electrofishing, seining,
active gillnetting, spearfishing, hook-and-line, and the weir trap box.
Suppression timing, gear types, and methods are designed to minimize
encountering and impacting salmonids. Importantly, prior to conducting
suppression, sites will be snorkeled and will be avoided if salmonids
are present. The weir will be operated after April 1, by which time
most steelhead will have spawned and emigrated. A small proportion of
adult steelhead will move through the weir.
To investigate how pikeminnow suppression influences their movement
and survival, juvenile coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead will
be captured with downstream migrant traps, a portion of juvenile coho
salmon and juvenile steelhead will be acoustically-tagged, released,
and tracked with a network of receivers.
Field activities for the various proposed research and enhancement
components will occur annually as described for each location below for
a duration of approximately 5 years through December 31, 2028.
Resistance Board Weir Operations Plan
The seasonal resistance board weir will be constructed in the
mainstem South Fork Eel River just downstream from Indian Creek, 83
river kilometers upstream from the mainstem Eel River. For details on
the specifics of the weir design, operation, and measures to reduce
impacts on native fish see the supplemental document ``Weir Operation
Plan.'' The primary goals of this method are to: (1) segregate
migratory pikeminnow from prime salmon rearing habitat in the upper
mainstem South Fork Eel River; (2) capture and euthanize large numbers
of these introduced predatory fish and (3) better understand the life
history timing of pikeminnow and native salmonids.
Other Suppression Techniques
Suppression techniques will include boat electrofishing, seining,
active gillnetting, spearfishing, hook-and-line, and the resistance
board weir (discussed above). Boat electrofishing will only be
conducted in the lower reaches of the South Fork Eel River that do not
contain salmonids during the summer sampling period. Prior to
electrofishing, each sample site will be snorkeled to determine where
pikeminnow are and to verify that no salmonids are present.
Seining will be conducted in the South Fork Eel River, Van Duzen
River, and Lower Eel River using knotless nylon nets. In addition to
sampling smaller size classes of pikeminnow in shallow water, seines
may be deployed for active sampling, where snorkelers herd fish out of
deeper water into the nets. Seines will also be used to capture
juvenile coho salmon and steelhead for acoustic tagging.
Active gillnetting will be conducted in the mainstems of the South
Fork Eel River, Van Duzen River, and Lower Eel River during time
periods to avoid salmonids. As with other methods, prior to conducting
gillnetting, each site will be snorkeled to ensure the absence of non-
target species. Gillnets will never be left unattended in the water;
gillnets will be actively tended and constantly inspected to ensure no
harm is done to salmonids or other non-target species. At some sites,
two gillnets will may be actively maneuvered toward each other by
divers to capture fleeing pikeminnow.
Spearfishing and hook and line sampling will be conducted in the
South Fork Eel River, Van Duzen River, and Lower Eel River. Only divers
with extensive experience distinguishing pikeminnow from native fish
will be used. Hook-and-line sampling will rely on using only barbless
hooks and any juvenile steelhead or other non-target species captured
will be released immediately.
The following activities in the South Fork Eel River will occur
annually:
Feb 1-Jun 1: Daily for up to 2 weeks--downstream migrant trapping,
seining
April 1-October 1: Opportunistically--seining, electrofishing
April 1-October 31: Daily--resistance board weir; Biweekly--
spearfishing, seining
April 1-September 30: Biweekly--active gillnetting, hook-and-line,
snorkeling
July 1-September 30: Weekly--boat electrofishing
June 15-August 31: Biweekly--spearfishing, seining, active
gillnetting, hook- and-line, snorkeling
The annual sum of take requested across the various components of
this effort in the South Fork Eel River are as follows: (1) non-lethal
capture (backpack electrofishing, beach seining, or fyke net) and
release of up to 1,000 juvenile SONCC coho salmon, 1,000 juvenile CC
Chinook salmon, and 1,000 juvenile NC steelhead; (2) non-lethal capture
(backpack electrofishing, beach seining, or fyke net) and release of up
to 300 juvenile SONCC coho salmon and 300 juvenile NC steelhead for the
purpose of applying acoustic tags and collecting tissue samples by fin
clip; (3) non-lethal capture (backpack electrofishing, beach seining,
or fyke net) and release of up to 100 juvenile SONCC coho salmon and
100 juvenile NC steelhead for the purpose of applying acoustic tags,
collecting tissue samples by fin clip and muscle biopsy; (4) non-lethal
capture, tissue sampling, and release of up to 220 adult NC steelhead
captured while operating the resistance board weir; (6) non-lethal
observation of up to 400 adult NC steelhead on camera or sonar while
operating the resistance board weir; (7) non-lethal observation of up
to 30 juvenile NC steelhead during snorkel and diving surveys; and (8)
non-lethal capture and release of up to 16 juvenile NC steelhead while
boat electrofishing, beach seining, active gillnetting, and hook-and-
line methods. The potential annual unintentional lethal take of SONCC
coho salmon, CC Chinook salmon and NC steelhead expected to result from
the proposed research and enhancement activities in the South Fork Eel
River is up to 12 juvenile SONCC coho salmon, 4 juvenile CC Chinook
salmon, 17 juvenile NC steelhead, and one adult NC steelhead.
The following activities will occur in the Van Duzen River
annually:
July 1-October 31: Biweekly--spearfishing, seining, active
gillnetting, hook- and-line, snorkeling
The annual sum of take requested across the various components of
this effort in the Van Duzen River are as follows: (1) non-lethal
observation of up to 750 juvenile NC steelhead during snorkel and
diving surveys; (2) non-lethal capture and release of up to 35 juvenile
NC steelhead while beach seining, active gillnetting, and hook-and-line
methods. The potential annual unintentional lethal NC steelhead take
expected to result from the proposed enhancement activities in the Van
Duzen River is up to 3 juvenile NC steelhead.
The following activities will occur in the Lower Eel River
annually:
June 15-August 31: Biweekly--spearfishing, seining, active
gillnetting, hook-and-line, snorkeling
The annual sum of take requested across the various components of
this effort in the Lower Eel River are as follows: (1) non-lethal
observation of up to 100 juvenile SONCC coho salmon, 750 juvenile CC
Chinook salmon, and 750 juvenile NC steelhead during snorkel and diving
surveys; (2) non-lethal capture and release of up to 3 juvenile SONCC
coho salmon, 3
[[Page 3392]]
juvenile CC Chinook salmon, and 35 juvenile NC steelhead while beach
seining, active gillnetting, and hook-and-line methods. The potential
annual unintentional lethal SONCC coho salmon, CC Chinook salmon, and
NC steelhead take expected to result from the proposed enhancement
activities in the Lower Eel River is up to 3 juvenile SONCC coho
salmon, 3 juvenile CC Chinook salmon, and 3 juvenile NC steelhead.
This proposed scientific research and enhancement effort is
expected to enhance survival and support recovery within the SONCC ESU
of coho salmon, CC ESU of Chinook salmon, and the NC DPS of steelhead
and is consistent with recommendations and objectives outlined in NMFS'
Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast ESU Coho Salmon Recovery Plan
and Coastal Multispecies Recovery Plan. See the Permit 22270-2R
application for greater details on the various components of this
scientific research and enhancement effort including the specific
scientific methods proposed and take allotments requested for each.
Dated: January 12, 2023.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-00915 Filed 1-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 19, 2023.
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