Notice2023-06279
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Primary source
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Published
March 27, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
We, NMFS, announce receipt of a permit application (15755-2M) to enhance the propagation and survival of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Under permit application 15755- 2M, CDFW is requesting to implement, for the next 8 years, hatchery and monitoring activities associated with the Fall Creek Hatchery coho salmon program. This Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) is an update to the 2014 HGMP developed for the coho salmon hatchery program at Iron Gate Hatchery that was submitted by CDFW and PacifiCorp (Permit 15755). Under permit application 15755-2M CDFW proposes to continue to collect Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon for hatchery purposes. This notice advises the public that the permit application and associated HGMP are available for review and comment, prior to a determination by NMFS on the issuance of the permit.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 58 (Monday, March 27, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 58 (Monday, March 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18123-18124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06279]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC865]
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; permit application for enhancement and
monitoring purposes.
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SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce receipt of a permit application (15755-2M)
to enhance the propagation and survival of species listed under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, from the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Under permit application 15755-
2M, CDFW is requesting to implement, for the next 8 years, hatchery and
monitoring activities associated with the Fall Creek Hatchery coho
salmon program. This Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) is an
update to the 2014 HGMP developed for the coho salmon hatchery program
at Iron Gate Hatchery that was submitted by CDFW and PacifiCorp (Permit
15755). Under permit application 15755-2M CDFW proposes to continue to
collect Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon
for hatchery purposes. This notice advises the public that the permit
application and associated HGMP are available for review and comment,
prior to a determination by NMFS on the issuance of the permit.
DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on the application
must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see
ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on April 26,
2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the application should be submitted to
Jeff Abrams, Klamath Branch Fisheries Biologist, NMFS Northern
California Office, 1655 Heindon Rd, Arcata, California 95521. Comments
may also be submitted via fax (707) 825-4840, or by email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9cd6f9fafab2ddfeeefdf1efdcf2f3fdfdb2fbf3ea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d67484b4b036c4f5f4c405e6d43424c4c034a425b">[email protected]</span></a> (include the permit number in the subject line of
the fax or email). The permit application and attached HGMP may be
viewed online at: <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: Jeff Abrams, Arcata, CA (ph.: (707)
825-5186; Fax: (707) 825-4840; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cc86a9aaaae28daebeada1bf8ca2a3adade2aba3ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cd87a8ababe38cafbfaca0be8da3a2acace3aaa2bb">[email protected]</span></a>).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Species Covered in This Notice
The following ESA-listed species are covered in this notice:
Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch): threatened Southern Oregon/
Northern.
[[Page 18124]]
California Coast (SONCC) Evolutionarily Significant Unit
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 part 222). 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;
(3) are consistent with the purposes and policies of Section 2 of the
ESA; (4) whether the permit would further a bona fide and necessary or
desirable scientific purpose or enhance the propagation or survival of
the endangered species, taking into account the benefits anticipated to
be derived on behalf of the endangered species; and additional issuance
criteria as listed at 50 CFR 222.308(c)(5-12). The authority to take
listed species is subject to conditions set forth in the permit.
Anyone requesting a hearing on the application included 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 NMFS Assistant Administrator for Fisheries.
Permit Application Received
Permit 15755-2M
The CDFW is applying for ESA Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit 15755-2M
the for the Fall Creek Hatchery coho salmon HGMP for a period of 8
years following removal of the mainstem Klamath River dams in 2024.
CDFW and PacifiCorp anticipated that the 2014 HGMP would cover hatchery
operations until mainstem Klamath River dams of the Klamath
Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project
Nos. 14803-001, 2082-063) were removed. Dam removal is expected to
occur in 2024. By that time, the existing Iron Gate Hatchery will cease
operations and a new hatchery will be constructed at Fall Creek
upstream of the current hatchery facility. To ensure that hatchery
operations continue without interruption in the year of dam removal,
the Fall Creek Hatchery will be operational in the months prior to dam
removal.
The HGMP covers activities related to the artificial production of
coho salmon at Fall Creek Hatchery during the transition of the
hatchery coho salmon program from Iron Gate Hatchery, and for 8 years
after dam removal. NMFS will use the information in this HGMP to
evaluate hatchery impacts on salmon listed under the ESA. Hatchery
activities would be permitted pursuant to the final HGMP, which is
attached to the permit application. Monitoring and in-river research
activities, also included in the application, could result in take of
SONCC coho salmon. The primary goal of an HGMP is to devise
biologically based hatchery management strategies that ensure the
conservation and recovery of salmon and steelhead species. Through
implementation of this HGMP, and compliance with the ESA section
10(a)(1)(A) permit, the Fall Creek Hatchery coho salmon program will
operate to conserve ESA listed SONCC coho salmon.
The Fall Creek Hatchery coho salmon program will culture coho
salmon of the Upper Klamath Population Unit. This unit is part of the
SONCC Evolutionarily Significant Unit that is listed as Threatened
under ESA. The HGMP incorporates principles of hatchery operations
developed by the Hatchery Scientific Review Groups of the Columbia
River and California. The primary purpose of the Fall Creek Hatchery
coho salmon program is to protect the genetic resources of the Upper
Klamath Population Unit and reduce extinction risks prior to and eight
years after the removal of the four Klamath River dams. The purpose
would be achieved by integrating natural origin adults into broodstock
and using a genetically based spawning matrix to reduce inbreeding. The
natural origin fish required to integrate the Fall Creek Hatchery coho
salmon program will be obtained from Bogus Creek, the Iron Gate
Hatchery auxiliary fish ladder, Fall Creek (e.g., via seine or dip
net), and fish volitionally entering the Fall Creek Hatchery as
described in the broodstock collection document and the Terms and
Conditions of NMFS' 2021 Biological Opinion for the Surrender and
Decommissioning of the Lower Klamath Hydroelectric Project.
The secondary purpose of the Fall Creek Hatchery coho salmon
program is to provide adult coho salmon that could disperse to newly
accessible habitat (76 miles or about 122.31 km) made available
following dam removal. The potential dispersal of adult coho salmon
results from Fall Creek Hatchery origin coho salmon straying to other
tributaries and by releasing surplus adult coho salmon back to the
mainstem Klamath River near Fall Creek.
Public Comments Solicited
NMFS invites the public to comment on the permit application and
associated HGMP during a 30-day public comment period beginning on the
date of this notice. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c)
of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1529(c)). All comments and materials received,
including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative
record and may be released to the public. We provide this notice in
order to allow the public, agencies, or other organizations to review
and comment on these documents.
Next Steps
NMFS will evaluate the application, associated documents, and
comments submitted to determine whether the application meets the
requirements of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA and its implementing
regulations. The final permit decisions will not be made until after
the end of the 30-day public comment period and after NMFS has fully
considered all relevant comments received. NMFS will publish notice of
its final action in the Federal Register.
Dated: March 21, 2023.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-06279 Filed 3-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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