[Federal Register: December 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 249)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 72960-72961] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr29de99-29] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AF82 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Threatened Status for Two Chinook Salmon Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) in California AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) are adding the Central Valley spring-run Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) and the California Coastal ESU of the west coast chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife as threatened. This amendment to the list, authorized by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), is based on a determination by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which has jurisdiction for this species. EFFECTIVE DATE: November 15, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Gloman, Chief, Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703/358-2171). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970, the NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, is responsible for the decisions regarding the Central Valley spring-run and the California Coastal, both are ESUs of the west coast chinook salmon as defined in the Act. Under section 4(a)(2) of the Act, NMFS must decide whether a species under its jurisdiction should be classified as endangered or threatened, and the Service is responsible for the actual addition of these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in 50 CFR 17.11(h). The NMFS published its determination of threatened status for the Central Valley spring-run ESU and the California Coastal ESU of the west coast chinook salmon on September 16, 1999 (64 FR 50394). Accordingly, we are now adding both ESUs to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, as threatened species. This addition is effective as of November 15, 1999, as indicated in the NMFS determination. Because this action is nondiscretionary, and in view of the public comment period provided by NMFS on the March 9, 1998, proposed listing (63 FR 11482), we find that good cause exists to omit the notice and public comment procedures of 5 U.S.C. 553(b). National Environmental Policy Act We have determined that an environmental assessment, as defined under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, need not be prepared in connection with regulations adopted pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this determination in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244). List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and threatened species, Export, Import, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. Regulation Promulgation Accordingly, we amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter 1, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below: PART 17--[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C. 4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500, unless otherwise noted. 2. Amend Sec. 17.11(h) by adding the following to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, in alphabetical order under FISHES: Sec. 17.11 Endangered and threatened wildlife. * * * * * (h) * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Vertebrate -------------------------------------------------------- population where Critical Special Historic range endangered or Status When listed habitat Rules Common name Scientific name threatened -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * * * * * * * Fishes * * * * * * * Salmon, chinook.................. Oncorhynchus North Pacific Basin U.S.A. (CA) all T 674 NA NA (=Salmo) from U.S.A. (CA) to naturally spawned tshawytscha. Japan. spring-run populations from the Sacramento San Joaquin R. mainstem and its tributaries.. Salmon, chinook.................. Oncorhynchus North Pacific Basin U.S.A. (CA) from T 674 NA NA tshawytscha. from U.S.A. (CA) to Redwood Creek Japan. south to Russian R., inclusive, all naturally spawn populations in mainstems and tributaries. * * * * * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 72961]] Dated: December 9, 1999. Jamie Rappaport Clark, Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 99-33782 Filed 12-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P