[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 68260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34076]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 122397B]


Endangered Species; Permits

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of applications for scientific research permits (1112, 
1113) and for a modification to a scientific research permit (1025).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Southwest Fisheries 
Science Center, Tiburon, CA (1112) and that Dr. Sylvia Galloway, 
Laboratory Director of the National Ocean Service - Marine Forensics 
Laboratory (1113) have applied in due form for permits for take of an 
endangered species for scientific research purposes. Notice is also 
given that the California Department of Fish and Game at Sacramento, CA 
(CDFG) has applied in due form for a second modification to a permit 
(1025) providing authorization for takes of an endangered species for 
scientific research purposes.

DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on either of 
these applications must be received on or before January 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for 
review in the following offices, by appointment:
    For permits 1025 and 1112: Protected Species Division, NMFS, 777 
Sonoma Avenue, Room 325, Santa Rosa, CA 95404-6528 (707-575-6064).
    For permit 1113: Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 
Executive Center Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141).
    All documents may also be reviewed by appointment in the Office of 
Protected Resources, F/PR3, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301-713-1401).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For permits 1025 and 1112: Lisa 
Holsinger at Protected Species Division, NMFS, 777 Sonoma Avenue, Room 
325, Santa Rosa, CA 95404-6528 (707-575-6064).
    For permit 1113: Terri Jordan, Endangered Species Division, Office 
of Protected Resources, (301-713-1401).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center 
(1112) and Dr. Sylvia Galloway, Laboratory Director of the National 
Ocean Service - Marine Forensics Laboratory (1113) request permits, and 
CDFG (1025) requests modification 2 to permit 1025, under the authority 
of section 10 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 
1531-1543) and the NMFS regulations governing ESA-listed fish and 
wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 217-227).
    NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center (1112) requests a 
scientific research permit for a take of juvenile, endangered, 
Sacramento River winter-run chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) 
associated with a study designed to determine the interannual 
variability of growth, development, health, and ecology of juvenile 
salmonids within the San Francisco Estuary and the Gulf of the 
Farallones. Parameters to be estimated include residence times and 
migration rates of juvenile salmonids through the estuary and growth, 
energy status, pathology, feeding ecology, and contaminant accumulation 
during residence in the estuary and Gulf. A small number of juvenile, 
ESA-listed, naturally-produced, winter-run chinook salmon are proposed 
to be collected (with midwater trawl, surface trawl, high-speed rope 
trawl, purse seine, beach seine, and hook-and-line). The permit is 
requested for 1998 through 2003.
    Dr. Sylvia Galloway, Laboratory Director of the National Ocean 
Service - Marine Forensics Laboratory (1113) requests authorization to 
possess and conduct research on listed, non-marine mammal, non-
reptilian species using tissue samples (fin clips, barbels, blood, 
muscle, skin) to provide technical support that is responsive to NOAA 
goals involving protected and endangered species, via law enforcement. 
The applicant requests the ability to maintain samples of listed non-
marine mammal, non-reptilian species obtained from permitted 
individuals and by Federal, state, or local law enforcement agents for 
archival purposes.
    Permit 1025 authorizes CDFG annual takes of adult and juvenile, 
endangered, naturally-produced Sacramento River winter-run chinook 
salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) associated with scientific research. 
For modification 2, CDFG requests an increase in the take of juvenile, 
ESA-listed fish associated with Study 1 of their permit. CDFG greatly 
underestimated the take associated with this study for the 1997 brood 
year and hence, exceeded their take authorization for this study. Study 
1 evaluates the timing and relative abundance of juvenile anadromous 
salmonids emigrating to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. An increase 
in indirect mortalities of juvenile, ESA-listed fish associated with 
study 1 is also requested. Modification 2 to permit 1025 is requested 
for the 1997-1998 emigration season only. Permit 1025 expires on June 
30, 2001.
    Those individuals requesting a hearing should set out the specific 
reasons why a hearing on any of these applications would be appropriate 
(see ADDRESSES). The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of 
the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA. All statements and 
opinions contained in these application summaries are those of the 
applicants and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMFS.

    Dated: December 23, 1997.
Joseph Blum,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-34076 Filed 12-30-97; 8:45 am]
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