Notice of Availability of Proposed Low Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for Washington Department of Natural Resources' Commercial Geoduck Fishery

Resumen

NMFS advises interested parties of Washington Department of Natural Resources' (WDNR) application for an incidental take permit (ITP), pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The requested 50-year permit would authorize the incidental take of covered species associated with WDNR's management of the State's Commercial Geoduck Fishery in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. NMFS is requesting comments on the permit application and on whether the proposed Geoduck Fishery Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) qualifies as a "low-effect" HCP. The HCP is available for public review.