Overview
Title
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The fish helpers want to make sure the special fish in Carmel River are safe and healthy. They need a special paper from the fish bosses to keep helping the fish, and people can tell the fish bosses what they think about it until April 28, 2025.
Summary AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a permit renewal application from the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to continue their efforts in rescuing and caring for the endangered steelhead fish in the Carmel River, California. The permit is sought under the Endangered Species Act and would allow certain activities to help restore the fish population affected by water withdrawal impacts. The public can review and comment on this application until April 28, 2025. The plan involves capturing, relocating, and temporarily rearing the fish to improve their survival rates, without breeding them in captivity.
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received one enhancement permit renewal application (permit 14741-2R) from the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) to implement their revised Carmel River Rescue Rearing and Management Plan (RRMP). The application and RRMP have been submitted per the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. NMFS is furnishing this notice in order to allow other agencies, Tribes, and the public an opportunity to review and submit to NMFS written data, views, or arguments with respect to the taking or to other activities proposed in the application, or to request a hearing in connection with the action to be taken thereon. The documents are available on the internet at: https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
In a recent notice from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the agency has announced it received an application to renew an enhancement permit from the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. This permit regards activities in the Carmel River, California, focused on the endangered steelhead fish population. Under the Endangered Species Act, the proposed permit would enable actions aimed at mitigating the negative impact of water withdrawals on the fish.
General Summary
The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, with the plan known as the Carmel River Rescue Rearing and Management Plan, seeks permission to capture, relocate, and temporarily hold steelhead fish. The goal is to assist their survival after environmental disruptions caused by water diversions. The plan, operational since 1997, includes rescue operations, temporary care at the Sleepy Hollow Rearing Facility, and post-release monitoring, although it notably avoids artificial breeding.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues are present within the document. Firstly, the absence of a detailed budget or cost analysis is a significant oversight, making it challenging to assess financial accountability and effectiveness. Additionally, the language used is technical, potentially obscuring understanding for those unfamiliar with environmental jargon or the stipulations of the Endangered Species Act.
Moreover, while the document mentions monitoring of program success through performance indicators, it does not specify what these indicators are, leading to concerns about the transparency and measurability of success. Technical assistance is noted, but it lacks detail, raising questions about the influence of NMFS in the decision-making process and whether it biases towards the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. Finally, the public comment process is open, yet the document does not elaborate on how public feedback will influence the final decision.
Impact on the Public
The public is invited to participate in the commenting process until April 28, 2025, allowing them to voice opinions or concerns. This engagement is pivotal in shaping how such environmental programs are executed in the community. However, with the document's technical nature, the accessibility and effectiveness of public input may be limited unless the technical aspects are clarified for the general population.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For environmental stakeholders and conservationists, the renewal of this permit is crucial in supporting the recovery of the endangered steelhead populations, aligning with broader conservation efforts. Local water organizations like the California American Water Company are stakeholders too, as this plan impacts regional water management policies and practices. Without explicit success metrics, however, stakeholders may find it difficult to gauge the efficacy of their involvement or opposition.
Conclusively, while the application presents a constructive approach to wildlife management, the document's complexities and lack of detail in some critical areas pose potential barriers that may affect the broad support and ultimate success of the plan.
Issues
• The document does not detail the exact cost or budget involved in implementing the Carmel River Rescue Rearing and Management Plan, making it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending.
• The language regarding the program's objectives and activities is somewhat complex and may be difficult for a layperson to fully understand without background knowledge in environmental management and the Endangered Species Act.
• There is no specific information on how the success of the RRMP will be measured, aside from mentioning performance indicators, which could lead to ambiguity in assessing the program's efficacy.
• The document mentions technical assistance from NMFS but does not provide specifics on how this affects the decision-making process or if there is any potential bias favoring the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.
• The public comment process is described, but the document lacks detailed information on how feedback will be integrated into the final decision-making process.