[Federal Register: July 14, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 133)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 33957-33960]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14jy09-22]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[FWS-R9-IA-2009-0016; 96100-1671-9FLS-B6]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding on
a Petition to List 14 Parrot Species as Threatened or Endangered
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition finding and initiation of status
review.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a
90-day finding on a petition to list as threatened or endangered under
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), the following 14
parrot species: Blue-throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis), blue-headed
macaw (Primolius couloni), crimson shining parrot (Prosopeia
splendens), great green macaw (Ara ambiguus), grey-cheeked parakeet
(Brotogeris pyrrhoptera), hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus),
military macaw (Ara militaris), Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua
haematuropygia), red-crowned parrot (Amazona viridigenalis), scarlet
macaw (Ara macao), thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha),
white cockatoo (Cacatua alba), yellow-billed parrot (Amazona collaria),
and yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea). The thick-billed
parrot is listed as an endangered species under the Act throughout its
range. As such, we will not be addressing it further as part of this
petition. We have also previously determined that the blue-throated
macaw warrants listing in response to a 1991 petition and has been a
candidate species since. Because we have recently re-evaluated the
status of this species as part of our 2008 Annual Notice of Review, we
will not address it further as part of this petition. We find that the
petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information
indicating that listing the remaining 12 species of parrots may be
warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are
initiating a status review of these 12 species of parrots to determine
if listing is warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are
comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial data
regarding these 12 species. Additionally, we are seeking any recent
information concerning the blue-throated macaw so that it can be taken
into consideration in our evaluation of its status when we do our re-
evaluation as part of the 2009 Annual Notice of Review.
DATES: We made the finding announced in this document on July 14, 2009.
To allow us adequate time to conduct the 12-month status review, we
request that we receive information on or before September 14, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit information by one of the following methods:
Federal rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: FWS-R9-IA-2009-0016; Division of Policy and Directives
Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive,
Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203.
We will not accept e-mail or faxes. We will post all comments on
http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide us (see the Information Solicited
section below for more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Krofta, Chief, Branch of
Listing, Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North
Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, Virginia 22203; telephone 703-358-
2105. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Information Solicited
When we make a finding that substantial information is presented to
indicate that listing a species may be warranted, we are required to
promptly commence a review of the status of the species. To ensure that
the status review is complete and based on the best available
scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting information on
the following 12 parrot species: Blue-headed macaw (Primolius couloni),
crimson shining parrot (Prosopeia splendens), great green macaw (Ara
ambiguus), grey-cheeked parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhoptera), hyacinth
macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), military macaw (Ara militaris),
Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), red-crowned parrot
(Amazona viridigenalis), scarlet macaw (Ara macao), white cockatoo
(Cacatua alba), yellow-billed parrot (Amazona collaria), and yellow-
crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea). We request scientific and
commercial information from the public, concerned governmental
agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested
parties on the status of the 12 parrot species that will be addressed
as part of this petition, as well as the blue-throated macaw (Ara
glaucogularis), throughout their range, including but not limited to:
(1) Information on taxonomy, distribution, habitat selection and
trends (especially breeding and foraging habitats), diet, and
population abundance and trends (especially current recruitment data)
of these species.
(2) Information on the effects of habitat loss and changing land
uses on the distribution and abundance of these species and their
principal prey species over the short and long term.
(3) Information on the effects of other potential threat factors,
including live capture and hunting, domestic and international trade,
predation by other animals, and diseases of these species or their
principal prey over the short and long term.
(4) Information on management programs for parrot conservation,
including mitigation measures related to conservation programs, and any
other private, tribal, or governmental conservation programs that
benefit these species.
(5) Information relevant to whether any populations of these
species may qualify as distinct population segments.
(6) Information on captive populations and captive breeding and
domestic trade of these species in the United States.
We will base our 12-month finding on a review of the best
scientific and commercial information available, including all
information received during the public comment period. Please note that
comments merely stating support or opposition to the actions under
consideration without providing supporting information, although noted,
will not be part of the basis of this determination, as section
4(b)(1)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) directs that
determinations as to whether any species is a threatened or endangered
species shall be made ``solely on the basis of the best scientific
[[Page 33958]]
and commercial data available.'' At the conclusion of the status
review, we will issue the 12-month finding on the petition, as provided
in section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act.
You may submit your comments and materials concerning this status
review by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section.
If you submit a comment via http://www.regulations.gov, your entire
comment--including any personal identifying information--will be posted
on the website. If you submit hardcopy information that includes
personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your
document that we withhold this information from public review. However,
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post all
hardcopy submissions on http://www.regulations.gov.
Information and materials we receive, as well as supporting
documentation we used in preparing this 90-day finding, will be
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Branch of Listing (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT).
Background
Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires that we make a finding on
whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species presents
substantial scientific or commercial information to indicate that the
petitioned action may be warranted. We are to base this finding on
information provided in the petition, supporting information submitted
with the petition, and information otherwise available in our files at
the time we make the determination. To the maximum extent practicable,
we are to make this finding within 90 days of our receipt of the
petition and publish our notice of this finding promptly in the Federal
Register.
The Service's regulations implementing the 90-day petition finding
provisions of the Act define ``substantial scientific or commercial
information'' as ``that amount of information that would lead a
reasonable person to believe that the measure proposed in the petition
may be warranted'' (50 CFR 424.14(b)). If we find that substantial
information was presented, we are required to promptly commence a
review of the status of the species.
We base this finding on information provided by the petitioner that
we determined to be reliable after reviewing sources referenced in the
petition. We evaluated that information in accordance with 50 CFR
424.14(b). Our process for making this 90-day finding under section
4(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 50 CFR 424.14(b) of our regulations is
limited to a determination of whether the information in the petition
meets the ``substantial information'' threshold.
On January 31, 2008, the Service received a petition dated January
29, 2008, from Friends of Animals, as represented by the Environmental
Law Clinic, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, requesting we
list 14 parrot species under the Act. The petition clearly identified
itself as a petition and included the requisite identification
information required at 50 CFR 424.14(a).
One of the 14 species included in the petition received from
Friends of Animals, the thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta
pachyrhyncha), is already listed as ``Endangered'' in its entirety
under the Act, despite the appearance from the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) that only a distinct population segment (DPS) of the
species outside of the United States is listed. In an April 30, 2009,
memorandum addressed to the Service's Director, entitled, ``Status of
the thick-billed parrot, wood bison, margay, and northern swift fox
under the Endangered Species Act,'' the U.S. Department of the
Interior's Assistant Solicitor for Fish and Wildlife provided an
explanation for why this species is currently protected in its entirety
and is not listed as a distinct population segment under the Act. A
summary of this explanation is provided below.
The thick-billed parrot was initially provided protection under the
Endangered Species Conservation Act (ESCA) - the statute that
immediately preceded the current Endangered Species Act - by its
inclusion on the list of Endangered Foreign Fish and Wildlife, June 2,
1970 (see 35 FR 8491). The list included a column labeled, ``Where
found,'' which indicated, ``Mexico, United States'' for the thick-
billed parrot. The introduction to the list explained that species were
not included on the list unless they were endangered throughout all of
their range and that ``[t]he `Where Found' column is a general guide to
the native countries or regions where the named animals are found''
(see 35 FR 8491, June 2, 1970; 50 CFR part 17, Appendix A (1971)).
Consistent with the direction of the ESCA, the thick-billed parrot was
a species that the Secretary found to be ``threatened with worldwide
extinction'' (see 35 FR 8491, June 2, 1970). Therefore, this document
indicates that the Service's intent was to list the thick-billed parrot
in its entirety, with all individuals of the species covered under the
applicable provisions of the ESCA.
In 1973, the current Endangered Species Act was passed, and in
accordance with its section 4(c)(3), the species lists under the ESCA
would be republished as the initial Endangered Species Act list of
threatened and endangered wildlife, without public hearing, notice, or
an opportunity for public comment. In 1974, the first lists of
endangered and threatened species appeared in the CFR and included a
``Where found'' column like the 1970 list; the text explained that the
geographic areas in this column were informational only and not a
substantive part of the listing: ``[t]he `where found' column is
provided for the convenience of the public, is not exhaustive, is not
required to be given by law, and has no legal significance'' (50 CFR
section 17.11, 1974). Thus, the intent under the previous ESCA that the
thick-billed parrot was listed in its entirety and that all individuals
of the species were covered under the law was retained under the new
Endangered Species Act list.
In 1979, the Service published a notice in the Federal Register
that announced a change in the listing status for the thick-billed
parrot and 6 other species. The notice stated that these species
contained populations within the United States and described ESCA's
provision for consultation with the States prior to listing a species
(see 44 FR 43705, July 25, 1979). The notice stated that the Service
had failed to consult with the governors of the States of the U.S.
populations for these species, and therefore, the Service concluded
that the U.S. populations were not covered under the Act. The following
year, the list of endangered and threatened wildlife in the CFR was
amended to indicate that only populations of the seven species outside
the United States were listed under the ESA, and for the first time the
CFR indicated that the listed entity for each species or subspecies was
a DPS. Although the 1979 notice claimed to change the listing status of
the thick-billed parrot and the other 6 species, the notice was without
legal effect, because the Service did not go through the rule-making
procedures required under section 553 of the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA) and section 4(b)(4) of the Act. In addition, failure to
consult with a State under the ESCA did not invalidate the species'
legal status under the Act. In 1973 Congress validated the lists from
the prior statutes through its explicit incorporation of them into the
Act. The thick-billed parrot, listed in its entirety under the ESCA in
1969, has,
[[Page 33959]]
therefore, maintained legal protection under the current Act. Thus, in
spite of the 1979 Federal Register notice and the current appearance of
the CFR, the thick-billed parrot has been listed as ``Endangered'' in
its entirety since its first appearance on the endangered-species
lists. Since the thick-billed parrot is already listed as an endangered
species throughout its range, including the United States population,
we believe the action requested in the petition with regards to the
thick-billed parrot has previously been taken. Therefore, our statutory
obligation to further address this issue is moot.
Further, a second species of the 14 species included in the
petition received from Friends of Animals, the blue-throated macaw (Ara
glaucogularis), was previously petitioned by the International Council
for Bird Preservation (ICBP). On May 6, 1991, we received a petition
(hereafter referred to as the 1991 petition) from ICBP, to add 53
species of foreign birds to the List of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife, including the blue-throated macaw. In response to the 1991
petition, we published a positive 90-day finding on December 16, 1991
(56 FR 65207), for all 53 species, and announced the initiation of a
status review. On March 28, 1994 (59 FR 14496), we published a 12-month
finding on the 1991 petition, along with a proposed rule to list 30
African birds under the Act. In that document, we proposed listing 15
of the 53 bird species included in the 1991 petition, and announced our
finding that listing the remaining 38 species from the 1991 petition,
including the blue-throated macaw, was warranted but precluded by
higher priority listing actions. We made subsequent warranted-but-
precluded findings for all outstanding foreign species from the 1991
petition, including the blue-throated macaw, as published in our Annual
Notice of Review on May 21, 2004 (69 FR 29354), and April 23, 2007 (72
FR 20184).
We have reviewed the listing status of the blue-throated macaw (Ara
glaucogularis), most recently in our 2008 Annual Notice of Findings on
Resubmitted Petitions for Foreign Species (73 FR 44062; July 29, 2008),
as required under section 4(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Act. That notice
describes our resubmitted petition findings for 50 foreign species for
which we had previously found listing to be warranted but precluded. In
that notice, we determined that warranted but precluded status remained
appropriate for the blue-throated macaw and assigned the species a
listing priority number of 8. The results of our next evaluation of the
status of this species will be published in the 2009 Annual Notice of
Findings on Resubmitted Petitions for Foreign Species. As such, we are
seeking any recent information concerning this species that can be used
in that evaluation. However, since we have already made a finding that
listing is warranted for the blue-throated macaw in response to the
1991 petition and subsequent re-evaluations as part of the Annual
Notice of Review, we have determined that we have previously addressed
the action requested in the current petition with regards to this
species. As such, our statutory obligation to further address this
issue is moot.
Therefore, this finding addresses the following 12 species of
parrots named in the petition: Blue-headed macaw, crimson shining
parrot, great green macaw, grey-cheeked parakeet, hyacinth macaw,
military macaw, Philippine cockatoo, red-crowned parrot, scarlet macaw,
white cockatoo, yellow-billed parrot, and yellow-crested cockatoo.
Information Presented in the Petition
The blue-headed macaw is found in eastern Peru, extreme western
Brazil, and northwestern Bolivia, at the edge of humid lowland
evergreen forests, along rivers, and in openings in the forest canopy
(International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(IUCN) 2008k). The petition notes that the greatest threat to the
species is the pet trade as the species is commonly found as caged pets
in Brazilian markets. In addition, the petition asserts that the rarity
of the species in combination with its low reproductive rate has made
the species even more popular with collectors.
The crimson shining parrot is endemic to the islands of Fiji where
it is found in forests, on agricultural lands, and around human
habitation (IUCN 2008l). The petition claims that the primary threats
to the species are the pet trade and habitat destruction. The petition
asserts that a decline in the mangrove forest area in the near future
will place habitat pressure on the species.
The great green macaw is found in parts of Colombia, Costa Rica,
Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, and inhabits humid lowlands
and foothills mainly below 600 meters (m) (1,969 feet (ft)) (IUCN
2008d). The petition notes that the largest factor affecting the
species is the loss of habitat throughout its range as a result of
banana plantations, cattle ranching, and logging. Furthermore, the
petition states that another major factor impacting the species is the
pet trade particularly in the country of Nicaragua.
The grey-cheeked parakeet is found in southwest Ecuador and extreme
northwest Peru, and primarily inhabits deciduous forests dominated by
Ceiba trichistandra (IUCN 2008g). The petition claims that the greatest
threat to the survival of the species is trapping for the pet trade. In
addition, the petition notes habitat destruction, through logging,
agricultural conversion, and grazing, as another threat to the
continued existence of the species.
The hyacinth macaw is found primarily in Brazil, with small
occurrences in east Bolivia and Paraguay (IUCN 2008c). The species
inhabits floodplains and savanna adjacent to tropical forests,
shrubland, palm-stands, and palm-savannas (IUCN 2008c). The petition
asserts that illegal trapping for the pet trade is the greatest threat
to the species, and notes this threat, according to species experts, as
the primary reason for the rapid population decline of the species. The
petition also states that the species is facing pressure from habitat
loss due to cattle ranching and hydroelectric development, as well as
local hunting for food and feathers.
The military macaw occupies a highly fragmented range from Mexico
to Argentina, inhabiting humid lowland forest and adjacent clearings,
wooded foothills, and canyons (IUCN 2008f). The petition claims that
habitat loss and the pet trade are the most significant threats to the
species.
The Philippine cockatoo is endemic to the Philippines and may be
restricted to lowland primary or secondary forests, within or adjacent
to riparian or coastal areas with mangroves (IUCN 2008i). The petition
states that habitat loss and the pet trade are the greatest threats to
the continued survival of the species. The petition asserts that
trapping on the islands is very common due to the high price paid for
each bird on the international market. The petition also claims that
widespread deforestation and destruction of native mangroves have
contributed to the population decline of the species.
The red-crowned parrot is native to Mexico and is currently found
in northeastern Mexico, inhabiting lush areas in arid lowlands and
foothills, particularly gallery forests, deciduous woodlands, and dry,
open, pine-oak woodlands on ridges up to 3,281 ft (1,000 m) (IUCN
2008b). The petition claims that the pet trade and habitat destruction
are the greatest threats to the continued existence of the species. The
petition states that trappers often destroy nests, sometimes even
cutting
[[Page 33960]]
down the entire tree, in order to collect nestlings, leading to the
loss of nest sites and site abandonment. Furthermore, the petition
asserts that the remaining habitat of the species has been reduced due
to the clearing of many gallery forests for agriculture and pasture
land use.
The scarlet macaw is found throughout Central and South America,
with an estimated range of approximately 2,586,885 square miles (m\2\)
(6,700,000 square kilometers (km\2\)) (IUCN 2008e). The species prefers
humid lowland evergreen forests and gallery woodland savannas,
primarily near exposed river banks and clearings with large trees (del
Hoyo et al. 1997, p. 421). The petition asserts that habitat
destruction and captures for the pet trade are the greatest threats to
the species. The petition claims that habitat destruction, as a result
of forest clearing, settlement, and agriculture, is common throughout
the species' range. The petition also states that anti-poaching
enforcement is not keeping up with the demand for this species in the
pet trade, where one bird can sell for over $1,000 (U.S.).
The white cockatoo is endemic to several islands in North Maluku,
Indonesia, and inhabits primary, logged, and secondary forests up to
2,953 ft (900 m) (IUCN 2008h). The species also occurs in mangroves, on
plantations, and on agricultural land (IUCN 2008h). The petition claims
that the greatest threats to the species are habitat destruction and
the pet trade. The petition states that an increase in logging activity
has decreased the availability of large trees suitable for nest sites
throughout the species' range. In addition, the petition asserts that
trapping of this species for the pet trade far exceeds the catch quota
issued by the Indonesian government.
The yellow-billed parrot is primarily found in the wet areas of
Jamaica, inhabiting wet limestone forests at elevations up to 3,937 ft
(1,200 m) (IUCN 2008a). The petition lists two primary threats to the
species: habitat destruction and the pet trade. The petition claims
that the species' habitat, as well as nest sites, has been reduced due
to logging and mining activities, and that trapping of this species for
the pet trade is common.
The yellow-crested cockatoo is native to Timor-Leste and Indonesia,
and inhabits forest, forest edge, scrub, and agricultural land (IUCN
2008j). The petition asserts that the significant decline in the
population of the species is directly attributable to trapping for the
pet trade. The petition cites evidence that suggests that the
international pet trade has placed the highest pressure on the wild
population of the species. In addition, the petition claims that
habitat loss, due to logging and agricultural conversion of forested
lands, and the persecution of the species as a crop pest, has placed
additional pressure on the remaining wild population.
Finding
On the basis of our review, which focused on the threats facing
these parrot species, we find that the petition presents substantial
scientific or commercial information indicating that listing may be
warranted for the following 12 species of parrots: Blue-headed macaw,
crimson shining parrot, great green macaw, grey-cheeked parakeet,
hyacinth macaw, military macaw, Philippine cockatoo, red-crowned
parrot, scarlet macaw, white cockatoo, yellow-billed parrot, and
yellow-crested cockatoo. Therefore, we are initiating a status review
to determine if listing any of these 12 species under the Act is
warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are
soliciting scientific and commercial information regarding these 12
species. Under section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act, within 12 months after
receiving a petition that is found to present substantial information
indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted, we are required
to make a finding as to whether listing the species is warranted, not
warranted, or warranted but precluded by other pending listing
proposals.
References Cited
A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon
request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Branch of Listing (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section).
Author
The primary authors of this notice are staff members of the
Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: June 16, 2009.
Marvin E. Moriarty,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E9-16354 Filed 7-13- 09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-S