### 24385 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 80 / Thursday, April 25, 2013 / Notices

other juvenile PS Chinook and all PS steelhead captured would be measured (fork length), counted, and released. The research would benefit the listed species by helping improve salmon habitat restoration.

Permit 17798

The NWFSC is seeking a five-year research permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. The NWFSC research may also cause them to take adult S eulachon—a species for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. The surveys would occur in biologically and chemically contaminated estuaries throughout Puget Sound (Skagit, Stillaguamish, Puyallup, Nisqually, Duwamish, Snohomish, and Deschutes river estuaries). The purpose of these surveys is to monitor chemicals of emerging concern (CEC) using molecular and physiological approaches that would identify bio-accumulative CEC in ecologically sensitive indicator species and determine the impacts of CEC exposure may be having on endocrine function and growth. The researchers would use whole genome and molecular techniques on various Chinook tissues to help identify gene pathways and develop robust diagnostic indices for CEC toxicity. The NWFSC proposes to capture and euthanize the fish so they can take blood, tissue, and organ samples for analyses. Excess Chinook (and all other species) would be release immediately after capture. The researchers would prioritize using adipose-fin-clipped hatchery fish and unintentional mortalities over unclipped or wild fish. The research would benefit the listed species by identifying CEC sites and sources and thereby helping inform decisions about how to best handle them in the future.

Permit 17839

The USFS is seeking a five-year research permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. The researchers would conduct Salish sucker surveys in the northern Puget Sound river drainages of the Nooksack, Skagit, and Stillaguamish rivers. Their purpose is to: (1) Improve our knowledge about Salish sucker distribution by sampling preferential habitat types throughout their range in Northern Puget Sound and (2) refining our understanding of the species’ physical chemical habitat metrics. In the U.S., the Salish Sucker, endemic to five watersheds in Washington State, is not federally listed under the ESA. In Canada, the Salish sucker has been listed as endangered since 1987 under the Species At Risk Act (SARA). The USFS proposes to capture fish using minnow and feddes traps. Salmonids encountered would be identified by species, checked for an adipose fin clip, and immediately released downstream. The research would benefit the listed species by providing information on their distribution. The main benefactor of this research is the Salish sucker who are listed as endangered in Canada but not well understood in the U.S. For Salish suckers, this study would improve distribution knowledge, confirm critical physical habitat characteristics, quantify presence/ absence in suitable habitat, confirm species persistence in known populations, and refine migratory life history by investigating the upper drainages. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

Permit 17851

The Coastal Watershed Institute (CWI) is seeking a five-year research permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon, PS steelhead, and HCS chum salmon. The CWI research may also cause them to take adult S eulachon— a species for which there are currently no ESA take prohibitions. The survey would take place in the Elwha River estuary. The purpose of the research is to examine ecological function in the Elwha River nearshore environment with respect to determining how that environment supports fish species. The researchers would look at the population structures, migration timing, and life history strategies among local salmonids (Chinook, chum, sea-run cutthroat, steelhead, and bull trout) and measure ecological indices as well. The CWI proposes to capture fish using a beach seine. All fish would be identified by their lowest taxonomic level. Twenty individuals from each species would be measured and released. Salmonids would be scanned for fin clips and tags. The research would benefit listed species by generating information on the species’ habitat needs and response to the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

Permit 18001

Pierce County, Washington, is seeking a five-year research permit to annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead. The purpose of these surveys is to determine the distribution and diversity of anadromous fish species in water bodies adjacent to and within the county’s levee system. The County proposes to capture fish using seines, dip-netting, minnow traps, fyke nets, hook and line, and backpack electrofishing.Electrofishing would largely be ‘‘spotshocking’’ for presence and absence and would not typically cover broad, continuous areas. The fish would be captured, identified, measured, and then released at or near their capture site. Fish would not be removed from the water unless absolutely necessary. The research would benefit the listed species by helping Pierce County develop a best management practice program and establish in-water work windows that would minimize effects on listed fish during construction and restoration projects. The researchers do not intend to kill any listed fish, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the research.

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

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Dated: April 22, 2013. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–09803 Filed 4–24–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3510–22–P**

**COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION** 

**Sunshine Act Meetings**

**TIME AND DATE :**  10:00 a.m., Friday, May 3, 2013.

**PLACE :**  1155 21st St., NW., Washington, DC, 9th Floor Commission Conference Room.

**STATUS :**  Closed.

**MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED :**  Surveillance and Enforcement Matters. In the event that the times or dates of this or any future meetings change, an announcement of the change, along with the new time and place of the meeting will be posted on the Commission’s Web site at http://www.cftc.gov

. **CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION :**  Melissa D. Jurgens, 202–418–5516.

Natise Stowe,

Executive Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2013–09847 Filed 4–23–13; 11:15 am]

**BILLING CODE 6351–01–P**