[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69428-69429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27543]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD596
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Issuance of a Scientific Purposes and Enhancement of Survival
Permit for a Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the Final
Environmental Assessment (EA) on the application from the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Region 1 for a Scientific
Purposes and Enhancement of Survival Permit for a Hatchery and Genetic
Management Plan (HGMP) for take of a threatened species in accordance
with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This notice also announces that
NMFS has made a decision to issue a permit (Permit No. 15755) to CDFW
for activities described in their HGMP, and has authorized the Hatchery
and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) for the Iron Gate Hatchery coho
salmon program in the Klamath River watershed in California.
This notice is provided under National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) regulations and NMFS ESA permit regulations to inform the public
that the Final EA, HGMP, responses to public comments, and associated
documents are available for review.
ADDRESSES: The application, permit, final HGMP, Final EA, and related
documents are available for review by appointment at: California
Coastal Area Office, NMFS, 1655 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521 (ph:
707-825-5171, fax: 707-825-4840, email at: [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Simondet at 707-825-5171, or
email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority
The issuance of Scientific Purposes and Enhancement of Survival
Permit permits by NMFS, as required by the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (ESA), is based on a finding 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. Permits and
modifications are issued in accordance with and are subject to the ESA
and NMFS regulations (50 CFR parts 222-226) governing listed fish and
wildlife permits.
Species Covered in This Notice
This notice is relevant to federally threatened Southern Oregon/
Northern California Coast coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).
Background
On January 8, 2013 NMFS announced in the Federal Register a notice
of receipt of a Scientific Purposes and Enhancement of Survival Permit
application and draft Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) from
the California Department of Fish and Game, now Wildlife (CDFW), for a
10 year period (78 FR 1201). On January 30, 2013 NMFS published a
corrected Federal Register notice with clarifications regarding the
comment period (78 FR 6298) which ended March 1, 2013. The draft HGMP
specified methods of operation for the Iron Gate hatchery coho salmon
program located along the Klamath River, within the State of
California. NMFS also announced the availability of a Draft
Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding issuance of a permit
authorizing take of coho salmon associated with implementation of the
HGMP. Public review and comment were invited on both the draft HGMP and
the draft EA. The public review and comment period ended on March 1,
2013. NMFS did not receive any comment letters on the Draft HGMP or the
Draft EA during the public review period.
The HGMP will be implemented as part of the existing coho salmon
artificial propagation program at Iron Gate Hatchery. Actions taken
pursuant to the permit are designed to enhance the survival of coho
salmon residing in the Upper Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam. The
HGMP incorporates two
[[Page 69429]]
main components: Artificial propagation and monitoring and evaluation
(M&E). Artificial propagation activities that could lead to the take of
listed coho salmon include: Adult broodstock collection, spawning,
rearing, handling, evaluation, tagging and release of progeny. Once the
threat of demographic extinction is reduced, the number of hatchery
adult coho salmon allowed to spawn naturally in Bogus Creek may be
controlled to insure that the proportionate natural influence (PNI) for
spawning coho salmon exceeds 0.5 (PNI > 0.5). The purpose for
controlling the PNI is to have natural environment rather than the
hatchery environment drive local adaptation and selection processes to
improve genetic fitness. The HGMP includes measures to increase the
fertilization of eggs and survival rate for each life stage and to
minimize the likelihood of genetic or ecological effects to listed
natural fish resulting from the hatchery operations and propagation of
hatchery fish. Monitoring and evaluation will occur by conducting coho
spawning ground and carcass surveys in the mainstem Klamath River and
key tributary streams that comprise habitat for the Upper Klamath River
coho salmon population unit. These data will be used to estimate adult
natural and hatchery escapement levels and spawn timing in key streams
for the Upper Klamath population unit as a whole. M&E activities will
also collect necessary data to document achievement of performance
indicators specified in the HGMP.
Take of adult and juvenile coho salmon associated with Permit 15755
is described in the NMFS permit and particularly detailed in Table 1 of
the permit. Permit 15755 expires on August 31, 2024.
Dated: November 17, 2014.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27543 Filed 11-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P