Notice2023-17885
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 21, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received 18 scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, rockfish, and eulachon. NMFS has also received one permit application to enhance the propagation and survival of one listed salmonid species (Snake River steelhead). 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 160 (Monday, August 21, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 160 (Monday, August 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56800-56804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17885]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD258]
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 ten permit renewals, one
permit modification, and eight new permits.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received 18 scientific
research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon,
steelhead, green sturgeon, rockfish, and eulachon. NMFS has also
received one permit application to enhance the propagation and survival
of one listed salmonid species (Snake River steelhead). 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.
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 September 20,
2023.
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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#533d3e35207d2430217e32232320133d3c32327d343c25"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="56383b3025782135247b37262625163839373778313920">[email protected]</span></a> (include the permit number
in the subject line of the letter, fax, or email). The applications 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>. Permit application instructions are
available from the address above, or online at <a href="https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov">https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Clapp, Portland, OR, 541-231-2314,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f3a19c91968187ddb09f928383b39d9c9292dd949c85"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="11437e737463653f527d706161517f7e70703f767e67">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Species Covered in This Notice
The following ESA-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; 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; and threatened California Coastal
(CC).
Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened LCR; threatened Middle Columbia
River (MCR); threatened PS; threatened SnkR; threatened UCR; threatened
UWR; threatened Northern California (NC); threatened Central California
Coast (CCC); threatened California Central Valley (CCV); and endangered
Southern California (SC).
Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened Hood Canal Summer-run (HCS); and
threatened Columbia River (CR).
Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened LCR; threatened Oregon Coast
(OC) coho; threatened Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast
(SONCC); and endangered CCC.
Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): endangered SnkR; and threatened Ozette
Lake (OL).
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); and 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 15169-3R
The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking to renew a permit that
would authorize them to take juvenile and adult CC Chinook salmon, CCC
coho salmon, and CCC steelhead as part of a long-term monitoring
program within the NPS's San Francisco Bay area network. The research
includes seven studies within, or proximate to, NPS lands in: Lagunitas
Creek, Olema Creek, Pine Gulch, Redwood Creek, and Rodeo Creek, and
Easkoot Creek in Marin County; West Union and San Vicente Creeks in San
Mateo County; Alhambra and Franklin Creeks in Contra Costa County; and
Tomales Bay, CA. Study 1 monitors salmonid smolt outmigration. Study 2
is a juvenile salmonid diet composition study. Study 3 is a spawner
survey study. Study 4 focuses on summer/fall juvenile salmonid
distribution, population abundance, and habitat monitoring. Study 5 is
a juvenile salmonid winter habitat utilization study. Study 6 uses a
floating resistance-board weir-trap to monitor adult
[[Page 56801]]
salmonid spawning. Study 7 is a biotelemetry study in the Tomales Bay
watershed. The research would continue a long-term monitoring program
and would benefit affected species by identifying species trends that
are used to guide management practices, develop and implement
restoration actions, and evaluate conservation action success--all of
which would serve to benefit listed salmonids and their habitats along
the central California coast.
The researchers propose to capture juvenile fish via backpack
electrofishing, beach seining, screw trapping, and fyke- and hoop-
netting. Juvenile fish would be captured, handled, and released. They
would also be observed during snorkel surveys. A subsample of captured
juveniles would be anesthetized, tissue-sampled and receive passive
integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Adult fish would primarily be
collected via weir, but a few individuals would be captured via screw
trap and fyke net. Adults would also be observed during spawning and
snorkel surveys. Adults captured at the weir would be captured, handled
(anesthetized, weighed, measured, and checked for marks or tags), and
released. A subsample of captured adults would be anesthetized, tissue-
sampled and PIT-tagged. Some tissues may be collected from carcasses
encountered during the spawning surveys. The researchers do not intend
to kill any listed fish, but a small number may die as an inadvertent
result of the proposed activities.
Permit 16329-4R
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking to
renew a permit that currently authorizes them take juvenile and adult
CR chum salmon; LCR, UWR, UCR spring-run, SnkR fall-run, and SnkR
spring/summer-run Chinook salmon; LCR, OC, and SONCC coho salmon; and
LCR, UWR, MCR, UCR, and SnkR basin steelhead in all Oregon State
waters. The purpose of the research is to assess environmental
impairment from pollutants and evaluate the effectiveness of management
activities in protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems. The
scientific research permit would authorize listed species to be taken
under four DEQ programs: (1) Biomonitoring Program, (2) Oregon Toxics
Monitoring Program, (3) Mixing Zone Surveys, and (4) Spill Impact and
Cleanup Effectiveness Evaluations. Together, these programs are used to
assess watershed and aquatic community health, determine the presence
and effects of contaminants, and gauge the effectiveness of waste
treatment and spill cleanup procedures. The information gathered would
help the DEQ fulfill its mission to assess, restore, enhance, and
maintain the quality of Oregon's waters, as directed by state and
Federal laws. The research would benefit listed species by providing
information on watershed health and contaminants--information that
would be used to inform efforts to protect and restore salmonid
habitat.
The DEQ proposes to capture fish from spring through fall using
backpack and boat electrofishing, seining, and angling. After capturing
the fish, the researchers would quickly transfer them to buckets of
aerated water, weigh and measure some of them, and release them near
the site of their capture within 20 minutes. No drugs or anesthesia
would be used. The researchers propose to intentionally kill small
numbers of non-listed, resident fish. The researchers would not
intentionally kill any ESA-listed fish, but a small number may die as
an unintended result of the research activities.
Permit 16506-4R
Mike Podlech, an independent researcher, is seeking to renew a
research permit that would authorize him to take juvenile and adult CCC
coho salmon and CCC steelhead while monitoring population trends in
Squaw Creek, Pescadero Creek, and Mill Creek, CA. The research would
benefit affected species by providing population data to inform ongoing
watershed restoration and salmonid recovery efforts. The research
includes three studies. The objective of Study 1 (Squaw Creek) is to
continue a 39-year monitoring program of the juvenile CCC steelhead
population in a largely undisturbed watershed. Study 2 (Pescadero
Creek) aims to expand upon limited baseline CCC steelhead and CCC coho
salmon population data and initiate long-term smolt outmigration
monitoring in a degraded watershed. Mill Creek (Study 3) would take
place in a tributary to San Vicente Creek, the southernmost watershed
with a remnant natural CCC coho salmon population. Salmonid populations
in the San Vicente Creek watershed have been studied extensively over
the past two decades, but the Mill Creek tributary has received
relatively little attention. However, a legacy dam was removed from
Mill Creek in 2021 and juvenile CCC coho salmon were detected in the
stream for the first time in 2022. Study 3 is intended to monitor the
trajectory of the population and measure the upstream range of CCC coho
salmon in this tributary and thereby help inform future management
decisions for the benefit of the listed coho.
Under the three studies, juveniles would be collected via backpack
electrofishing and fyke nets. Juvenile fish would be captured, handled,
and released. A subsample of captured juveniles would be anesthetized,
tissue-sampled and PIT-tagged. Though adult fish would not be targeted,
a few individuals might be collected via fyke net. All captured adults
would simply be handled and released. The researchers do not intend to
kill any ESA-listed fish, but a small number may die as an inadvertent
result of the proposed activities.
Permit 16544-2R
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's (CDFW's), South
Coast Region is seeking to renew a permit that would authorize them to
take juvenile and adult SC steelhead in order to monitor the species'
population status, trends, spatial structure, and life history
diversity in an area stretching from Topanga Canyon to Santa Maria, CA.
This long-term monitoring study would benefit SC steelhead by providing
data to inform management decisions and recovery efforts.
Juvenile fish would be collected via backpack electrofishing, dip
net, fyke net, minnow trap, weir, hook-and-line angling, and beach
seine. They would also be observed during snorkel surveys. Most
juvenile fish would simply be captured, handled, and released, but a
subsample would be anesthetized, tissue-sampled and PIT-tagged. Adult
fish would be collected via dip net, hook-and-line angling, beach
seine, trap, and weir, and they would also be observed during snorkel
surveys. Spawned adults or post-spawn carcasses would be enumerated
during spawning surveys. A subsample of captured adults would be
anesthetized, tissue-sampled and PIT-tagged. The researchers do not
intend to kill any ESA-listed fish, but a small number may die as an
inadvertent result of the proposed activities.
Permit 17551-4R
The CDFW is seeking to renew a permit that would authorize them to
take juvenile and adult SacR winter-run Chinook salmon, CVS Chinook
salmon, and CCV steelhead, and juvenile SDPS green sturgeon. The
purpose of this study is to monitor SDPS green sturgeon recruitment to
the juvenile life stage and to learn more about green sturgeon movement
patterns (including ocean entry) and habitat use in the lower
Sacramento River, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and greater San
Francisco. Though green sturgeon are
[[Page 56802]]
the target species, Chinook salmon and steelhead may be encountered,
but they would immediately be released if that happens. This study
would benefit green sturgeon by providing information on their temporal
and spatial movement patterns, rearing habitat preferences, and
survival. This information, in turn, would be used to improve species
and water management in the region.
Juvenile green sturgeon would be collected by gill netting them. A
subsample of the juveniles would be anesthetized, tissue-sampled and
PIT-tagged. The researchers do not intend to kill any ESA-listed fish,
but a small number may die as an inadvertent result of the proposed
activities.
Permit 19400-4R
ICF International (a consulting firm) is seeking to renew a permit
that would authorize them to take juvenile SacR winter-run Chinook
salmon, CVS Chinook salmon, CCV steelhead, and SDPS green sturgeon in
order to determine how juvenile salmonids use the San Francisco estuary
for rearing. This study would benefit affected species by providing a
better understanding of fine-scale distribution patterns of fishes in
navigation channels and near dredge operations in the San Francisco
Estuary. This, in turn, would inform ongoing and proposed restoration
projects. The research includes two studies: (1) investigating the use
of alternative monitoring techniques including SONAR and environmental
DNA (eDNA) to monitor fish species near restoration projects and dredge
operations, and (2) evaluating non-invasive sampling methods to
supplement physical fish collection by pairing trawls with acoustic
methods and eDNA data to provide an estimate of rare species biomass
and habitat use.
Juvenile fish would be collected via plankton nets, bottom trawl,
and midwater trawl. Juvenile fish would be captured, handled, and
released. The researchers do not intend to kill any ESA-listed fish,
but a small number may die as an inadvertent result of the proposed
activities.
Permit 20047-3R
The University of Washington (UW) is seeking to renew a permit that
would authorize them to continue to take annually juvenile PS Chinook
salmon, PS steelhead, PS/GB DPS bocaccio, PS/GB DPS yelloweye rockfish,
HCS chum salmon, and adult SDPS eulachon in order to study the fish
communities associated with tideflats with and without seagrass in
Puget Sound and coastal Washington. This study would fill current
information gaps on how habitat structure impacts higher trophic levels
in nearshore habitats in the Pacific Northwest, and benefit ESA-listed
salmon and steelhead recovery by reducing the uncertainty around
current ecosystem linkages that are used to select habitat sites to
preserve and restore.
Juvenile salmon, steelhead, and rockfish and adult eulachon would
be collected via beach seine, handled (weighed, measured, and checked
for marks or tags), and released. The researchers are not proposing to
kill any of the ESA-listed fish being captured, but a small number of
fish may be killed as an inadvertent result of these activities.
Permit 22303-2R
The NMFS West Coast Region is seeking to renew a permit that would
authorize them to take adult LCR Chinook salmon, CC Chinook salmon,
SacR winter-run Chinook salmon, CVS Chinook salmon, and SDPS green
sturgeon in order to characterize the physical interaction between
green sturgeon and bottom trawl nets used in the CA halibut fishery
that operates out of Half Moon Bay and San Francisco, CA. This study
would benefit green sturgeon by providing information to evaluate and
develop methods to minimize gear interactions and bycatch of green
sturgeon.
Adult green sturgeon would be collected bottom trawl. Green
sturgeon adults would be captured, handled (anesthetized, weighed,
measured, and checked for marks or tags), and released. Though green
sturgeon are the target species, LCR, CC, SacR and CVS Chinook salmon
might also be encountered. The researchers do not intend to kill any
ESA-listed fish, but a small number may die as an inadvertent result of
the proposed activities.
Permit 22700-2R
The Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project is seeking to renew a
permit that would authorize them to take adult CCC coho salmon and CCC
steelhead in order to gather data on their genetics and life histories
in the San Lorenzo River watershed, CA. This study would benefits
affected species by proving abundance assessments and life history data
and thereby help facilitate recovery actions.
Adult fish would be collected from a fish ladder at the Felton
Diversion Facility weir on the San Lorenzo River. Adult fish would be
captured, handled (weighed, measured, and checked for marks or tags),
and released; a subsample of them would be anesthetized, tissue-
sampled, and PIT-tagged. The researchers do not intend to kill any ESA-
listed fish, but a small number may die as an inadvertent result of the
proposed activities.
Permit 22939-2R
TRPA Fish Biologists (a consulting firm) is seeking to renew a
permit that would authorize them to take juvenile SacR winter-run
Chinook salmon, CVS Chinook salmon, CCV steelhead, and SDPS green
sturgeon while conducting seasonal presence/absence and relative
abundance surveys for native fish species in a delta wetland area known
as The Big Ditch on the Peterson Ranch in eastern Solano County,
California. Before this study, no information was available on ESA-
listed species presence or seasonal use of the Big Ditch Project area.
The study would benefit the affected species by continuing to provide
baseline information on seasonal fish use and thereby inform habitat
restoration actions.
Juvenile fish would be collected via beach seine and minnow trap.
Juvenile fish would be captured, handled, and released, and a subsample
of them would be anesthetized, tissue-sampled and PIT-tagged prior. The
researchers do not intend to kill any ESA-listed fish, but a small
number may die as an inadvertent result of the proposed activities.
Permit 25466-2M
TRPA Fish Biologists are seeking to modify a permit that currently
authorizes them to take juvenile and adult CCV steelhead with the
purpose of providing information on fish distribution, relative
abundance, and diversity in Ulatis Flood Control Project (Ulatis
Project) stream channels. The Ulatis Project is located in the
Vacaville-Elmira urban corridor in CA and is made up of approximately
43.5 miles (~70km) of realigned and engineered stream channels that
were created to alleviate recurring floods in the lower Ulatis
watershed. The modification would entail adding sampling locations
(middle and upper Ulatis and Alamo Creek channels); it would also
require adding small amounts of take for juvenile CCV steelhead. The
study would benefit CCV steelhead by providing biological data
(lengths, weights, and counts) on the fish populations in the lower
basin. This information would be used to monitor CCV steelhead
distribution and diversity and to assess population responses to
managed flows.
Juvenile fish would be collected via backpack electrofishing. A
subsample of captured juveniles would be
[[Page 56803]]
anesthetized, tissue-sampled and PIT-tagged prior to release. The
researchers do not intend to kill any ESA-listed fish, but a small
number may die as an inadvertent result of the proposed activities.
Permit 25795
Washington State University (WSU) is seeking a new permit that
would authorize them to annually take adult PS Chinook salmon, PS
steelhead, HCS chum salmon, and SDPS green sturgeon in order to study
the reproductive physiology of pink salmon and genetics and population
structure of Pacific spiny dogfish in Puget Sound. The study of pink
salmon reproductive biology is likely to benefit ESA-listed salmon and
steelhead by providing a better understanding of the molecular
processes governing the regulation of age at maturity and tissue
remodeling in Pacific salmonids using an unlisted model organism. The
age at maturity of Pacific salmon and steelhead has important
implications for their migratory behavior and reproductive timing and
success.
Fish would be collected via hook-and-line angling over
approximately 4 days of sampling between July and September in multiple
locations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. ESA-listed
species are not being targeted by this sampling, but up to one adult
from each hatchery or natural-origin component of the above species may
be unintentionally captured. Any ESA-listed species captured would be
handled (checked for marks or tags and potentially measured) and
quickly 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 25808
The U.S. Marine Corps is seeking a new permit that would authorize
them to take juvenile and adult SC steelhead during the course of
documenting their biodiversity and freshwater habitat in the three
largest watersheds located on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton:
Santa Mateo Creek, San Onofre Creek, and the Santa Margarita River, CA.
The study would benefit SC steelhead by providing species presence and
habitat suitability data to inform future management and recovery
strategies (e.g., helping locate and preserve drought refugia).
Juveniles would be collected via backpack electrofishing and
observed at weirs, fish ladders, and dams, and during snorkel surveys.
Juvenile fish would be captured, handled, and released. A subsample of
captured juveniles would be anesthetized, tissue-sampled and PIT-
tagged. Adults would be observed at weirs, fish ladders, and dams and
during snorkel surveys. The researchers do not intend to kill any
listed fish, but a small number may die as an inadvertent result of the
proposed activities.
Permit 27030
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is seeking a 5-year
permit to enhance the propagation and survival of SnkR steelhead in Big
Bear Creek in northern Idaho. Under this permit, the IDFG would trap
adult natural steelhead in the Big Bear Creek watershed and transport
them to a point upstream of Big Bear Falls (a semi-impassable barrier)
and release them back into Big Bear Creek. The adults would be
anesthetized, tissue-sampled, radio-tagged, and transported in 50-
gallon (~189.27 L) aerated tanks approximately 2 miles (~3.22 km)
upstream. In addition, the IDFG would use backpack electrofishing to
sample juvenile steelhead upstream from the falls, and a screw trap to
sample them at the mouth of Big Bear Creek. All captured juveniles
would be anesthetized, weighed, measured, tissue-sampled, and PIT-
tagged.
The purpose of this project is to improve steelhead access to
spawning and juvenile rearing habitat above Big Bear Falls. Rearing
capacity in the Big Bear Creek watershed is limited, and life cycle
modelling indicates enhanced adult steelhead passage at the falls could
increase smolt production by an additional 5,000 smolts per year.
Transporting adult steelhead around Big Bear Falls would benefit listed
fish by increasing available habitat capacity in the drainage and
thereby potentially alleviate density-dependent effects and increase
population productivity. The IDFG does not intend to kill any of the
fish being captured, but a small number may die as an inadvertent
result of the activities.
Permit 27068
The Makah Tribe is seeking a new permit that would authorize them
to take juvenile and adult fish from every species listed in the first
part of this notice except for SDPS eulachon and green sturgeon. This
proposed work would expand salmon research under four specific areas of
investigation: (1) improving knowledge of Chinook salmon ecology in
marine waters of northwestern Washington (with a focus on winter and
early spring); (2) better understanding how offshore troll fishery gear
affects Chinook and Coho salmon injury and mortality rates
(specifically with regard to hook size); (3) improving understanding of
the factors limiting Lake Ozette sockeye salmon recovery; and (4)
monitoring the recent increase in abundance of invasive European green
crabs (EGC) in Makah Bay, its tributaries, and the Strait of Juan de
Fuca. Each of these studies would provide information addressing data
gaps or current threats that would help the Makah Tribe manage their
fisheries resources, and inform recovery actions for ESA-listed
salmonid species.
As part of the first effort, adult or subadult salmon or steelhead
may collected by hook-and-line angling. This study targets Chinook and
coho salmon, so any other salmon or steelhead would be handled
(weighed, measured, and checked for marks and tags) and released.
Captured Chinook and coho salmon would be handled and have scale and
fin clip samples collected, and those in suitable condition would be
anesthetized and tagged with popup satellite archival tags or acoustic
tags as appropriate based on their size. During investigations of
hooking injury and mortality rates, adult or subadult fish would be
collected by hook-and-line angling using barbless J hooks of variable
size (1/0 and 6/0), handled (weighed, measured, and checked for marks
and tags), checked for hooking location and any injuries, and then have
the hook removed and be released following catch-and-release best
practices. No ESA-listed species are specifically targeted in either of
these studies, but some may be unintentionally captured as a part of
this effort and ESA-listed Chinook and coho salmon species are
components of the target species of salmon being studied in these
areas.
For the Lake Ozette sockeye salmon study, both juvenile and adult
salmon would be collected. Juveniles would be collected via minnow or
screw traps (or smolt wheel), and adults would be collected via weir or
gill/tangle netting. Juvenile fish would be captured, handled
(measured, weighted, and checked for marks or tags), anesthetized, and
tagged with surgically implanted acoustic tags prior to release.
Captured adults would be handled (measured, weighted, and checked for
marks or tags), anesthetized, tissue-sampled, and tagged with
surgically implanted acoustic tags prior to release. Lastly, the effort
to monitor the presence and abundance of invasive EGC involves setting
small minnow traps, shrimp pots, or modified fukui traps that may
unintentionally capture juvenile ESA-listed fish. Any fish
unintentionally captured would be released from traps
[[Page 56804]]
and returned to the water at the site of capture with as little
handling as possible. 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 27150
The IDFG is seeking a 5-year permit to conduct three studies in the
Clearwater River basin in Idaho. They are (1) Standard Resident Fish
Stream Surveys, (2) Juvenile O. mykiss Composition in the Lower
Clearwater River Drainage, and (3) Seasonal Resident Fish Movement and
Angler Encounter Rates. Studies 1 and 3 would be conducted
concurrently, and all three would involve capturing juvenile SnkR
steelhead via boat electrofishing. Approximately half of the captured
fish would simply be handled, measured, identified, and released. The
rest of the captured fish would also be tissue-sampled, and some would
be marked for the purpose of determining recapture rates. Some of the
captured fish may also be anesthetized to reduce handling and sampling
stress.
The purposes of the work are (1) to gather information on fish
distribution, abundance, and composition--with an emphasis on
evaluating the distribution and impacts of non-native predator fish;
(2) assess the genetic and behavioral influences that hatchery-produced
steelhead in the Clearwater River watershed have on ESA-listed, natural
O. mykiss in the area; and (3) monitor westslope cutthroat trout
distribution and movement. The three projects, collectively, would
benefit ESA-listed steelhead by helping managers monitor the species'
abundance, composition, density, distribution, age structure, growth,
and sources of mortality. Additionally, the work would help managers
better understand interactions between the listed fish, their non-
native predators, other conspecific (but not listed) fish, and the
angling community. All the information to be gained would be used to
inform management decisions regarding fishing regulations and seasons,
predator control measures, and various recovery actions for the listed
SnkR steelhead. The researchers do not intend to kill any of the fish
being captured, but a small number may die as an inadvertent result of
the activities.
Permits 27299 and 27469
Cramer Fish Sciences is seeking two new permits that would
authorize them to take juvenile and adult SacR winter-run Chinook
salmon during the course of conducting two Chinook egg-to-fry survival
studies in the Sacramento River, CA, between Keswick Dam and the
confluence of the river and Clear Creek. The purpose of both these
studies is to estimate Chinook salmon egg mortality and temperature
exposure as well as intergravel water velocity and dissolved oxygen
concentration in artificial redds placed in Chinook fall- and winter-
run spawning habitat. Additionally, egg survival would be evaluated in
natural fall- and winter-run redds that are predicted to be exposed to
temperatures above mortality thresholds. Though SacR winter-run Chinook
are not the target species, a few individual fish might be encountered
or observed during stream or snorkel surveys. The research is not
expected to kill any ESA-listed fish.
Permit 27513
Stillwater Sciences is seeking a new permit that would authorize
them to take juvenile NC steelhead, CC Chinook salmon, and CCC coho
salmon while assessing aquatic habitat conditions and fish use in the
lower Navarro River and its estuary in California--including some of
the river's lower tributary reaches (Marsh, Flume, Murray, Barton, Ray,
and Mustard gulches). The research would benefit ESA-listed species by
providing information on opportunities and constraints for salmonid
habitat restoration in the estuary and lower mainstem Navarro River
corridor. Documenting seasonal salmonid distribution, habitat use, and
relative abundance of fish species would help managers develop and
prioritize restoration actions for the lower Navarro River and estuary
and contribute to those actions' effectiveness.
Juvenile fish would be collected via dip net, beach seine, and
minnow trap and observed during snorkel surveys. Juvenile fish would be
captured, handled, and released; a subsample would be anesthetized,
tissue-sampled and PIT-tagged. The researchers do not intend to kill
any ESA-listed fish, but a small number may die as an inadvertent
result of the proposed 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: August 15, 2023.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-17885 Filed 8-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 21, 2023.
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