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Supplemental environmental assessment on the effects of issuing a permit modification for scientific research on endangered shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon in the Hudson River (File 17095-01)
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2013
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Description:The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a permit modification to a five-year scientific research permit (Permit No. 17095) issued to Entergy Nuclear Operations Inc., 450 Broadway, Suite 3, Buchanan, NY 10511, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.c. 1531 et seq.). The action would continue to exempt the permit holder from takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) under the ESA, by capture, harassment, wounding and hann during bona fide scientific research. Permit No. 17095 currently authorizes the Permit Holder to: monitor shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon abundance and distribution through the Hudson River Biological Monitoring Program (HRBMP) in the Hudson River from River Mile 0 (Battery Park, Manhattan, NY) to River Mile 152 at Troy Dam (Albany, NY). Researchers are authorized to non-lethally capture, handle, measure, weigh, scan for tags, insert passive integrated transponder and dart tags, photograph, tissue sample, and release up to 82 shortnose sturgeon and 82 Atlantic sturgeon annually. Additionally, researchers are permitted to lethally collect up to 40 shortnose sturgeon and up to 40 Atlantic sturgeon eggs and/or larvae (ELS) annually. To account for a higher than expected catch per unit effort of Atlantic sturgeon so far under Permit No. 17095, the Permit Holder now wishes to increase the number of takes for juvenile, sub-adult and adult Atlantic sturgeon to 200 fish per year. However, take would not exceed a total of 600 Atlantic sturgeon captured over the permit life. The number of shortnose sturgeon taken would remain the same. The Permit Holder also requests that the action area be expanded two miles south of the Battery (Manhattan at River Mile 0) to include the upper New York Harbor (~River Mile -2.0). The amount of lethal collection of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon ELS would remain the same. The modification would be valid until the permit expires August 28, 2017.
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Rights Information:Public Domain
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Compliance:Submitted
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