[Federal Register: February 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 34)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 8533-8538]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22fe99-21]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AE40

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule To 
Remove the Tinian Monarch From the Federal List of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule and notice of petition finding.

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SUMMARY: Under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(Act), as amended, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
proposes to remove the Tinian monarch (Monarcha takatsukasae) from the 
Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The Tinian monarch 
is a bird endemic to the island of Tinian in the Mariana archipelago in 
the western Pacific Ocean. It was listed as endangered on June 2, 1970, 
because its populations were thought to be critically low due to the 
destruction of native forests by pre-World War II (WW II) agricultural 
practices and military activities during WW II. Forest bird surveys 
conducted by the Service in 1982 resulted in a population estimate of 
40,000 monarchs. Based on the results of this survey, we downlisted the 
monarch to threatened status on April 6, 1987. A study of monarch 
breeding biology in 1994 and 1995 suggested a rough population estimate 
of 52,904 birds. In 1996, a replication of the 1982 surveys yielded a 
population estimate of 55,721 birds, a significant increase from 1982 
levels. The 1996 survey also found significantly denser forest habitat 
from 1982 levels, which may reflect an increase in monarch habitat 
quality. This proposed rule acknowledges the increase in population 
numbers and the likely improvement in habitat quality. If made final 
this rule would remove Federal protection provided by the Act for this 
species. Removal of Federal protection for the Tinian monarch does not 
nullify protections provided by the government of the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to the monarch as a protected 
wildlife species or its designation by CNMI as a threatened or 
endangered species. This proposal also constitutes a finding on a 
petition to delist this species.

DATES: We must receive comments from all interested parties by April 
23, 1999. We must receive public hearing requests by April 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and materials concerning this proposal to the 
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands 
Ecoregion, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Box 50088, Honolulu, 
Hawaii 96850. Comments and materials received will be available for 
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael R. Lusk, Staff Biologist, 
Pacific Islands Ecoregion, (see ADDRESSES section), telephone 808/541-
3441; facsimile 808/541-3470.