[Federal Register: April 9, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 68)]
[Notices]
[Page 18232-18233]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09ap10-111]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-ES-2009-N268; 40120-1113-0000-C4]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Status
Reviews of 15 Caribbean Species
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of reviews; request for information.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are
initiating 5-year status reviews of 15 species under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We conduct these reviews to
ensure that the classification of species as threatened or endangered
on the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is
accurate. A 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time of the review.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
receive your comments or information on or before June 8, 2010.
However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed
species at any time.
ADDRESSES: Caribbean Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O.
Box 491, Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico 00622.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marelisa Rivera, at address above or
phone: 787/851-7297, ext. 231; e-mail: marelisa_rivera@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we
maintain lists of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species
in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.11 (for wildlife)
and 17.12 (for plants) (collectively referred to as the List). The List
is also available on our Internet site at http://endangered.fws.gov/
wildlife.html#Species.
Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we conduct a review of
listed species at least once every 5 years. Then, on the basis of such
reviews, under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether or not any
species should be removed from the List (delisted), or reclassified
from endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. If we
consider delisting a species, we must support the action by the best
scientific and commercial data available. We must consider if these
data substantiate that the species is neither endangered nor threatened
for one or more of the following reasons: (1) The species is considered
extinct; (2) the species is considered to be recovered; and/or (3) the
original data available when the species was listed, or the
interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change in Federal
classification would require a separate rulemaking process. We make
amendments to the List through final rules published in the Federal
Register.
Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice
in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active
review. This notice announces our active review of 15 species currently
listed as endangered: Bariaco (Trichilia triacantha), Calyptranthes
thomasiana (no common name), cap[aacute] rosa (Callicarpa ampla),
Cook's holly (Ilex cookii), Chamaecrista glandulosa var. mirabilis (no
common name), chupacallos (Pleodendron macranthum), Vahl's boxwood or
diablito de tres cuernos (Buxus vahlii), erubia (Solanum drymophilum),
Myrcia paganii (no common name), nogal (Juglans jamaicensis), palo de
nigua (Cornutia obovata), palo de Ram[oacute]n (Banara vanderbiltii),
uvillo (Eugenia haematocarpa), Puerto Rican nightjar or guabairo
(Caprimulgus noctitherus), and white-necked crow (Corvus
leucognaphalus).
What Information Do We Consider in a 5-Year Review?
A 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data
that has become available since the current listing determination or
most recent status review of each species, such as:
A. Species biology, including but not limited to population trends,
distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics;
B. Habitat conditions, including but not limited to amount,
distribution, and suitability;
C. Conservation measures that have been implemented to benefit the
species;
D. Threat status and trends (see five factors under heading ``How
Do We Determine Whether a Species is Endangered or Threatened?''); and
E. Other new information, data, or corrections, including but not
limited to taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of
erroneous information contained in the List, and improved analytical
methods.
Definitions
A. Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or
plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate
which interbreeds when mature.
B. Endangered means any species that is in danger of extinction
throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
C. Threatened means any species that is likely to become an
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range.
How Do We Determine Whether a Species Is Endangered or Threatened?
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act establishes that we determine whether a
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the
following five factors:
A. The present or threatened destruction, modification, or
curtailment of its habitat or range;
B. Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes;
C. Disease or predation;
D. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
E. Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued
existence.
What Could Happen as a Result of This Review?
If we find that there is new information concerning any of these 15
species indicating that a change in classification may be warranted, we
may propose a new rule that could do one of the following: (a)
Reclassify the species
[[Page 18233]]
from endangered to threatened (downlist); (b) reclassify the species
from threatened to endangered (uplist); or (c) delist the species. If
we determine that a change in classification is not warranted, then
these species will remain on the List under their current status.
Request for New Information
To do any of the following, contact Marelisa Rivera at the address
or phone number provided under ADDRESSES:
(a) To get more information on a species,
(b) To submit information on a species, or
(c) To review information we receive, which will be available for
public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the
listed address.
We request any new information concerning the status of these 15
species. See ``What Information Do We Consider in a 5-Year Review?''
heading for specific criteria. Information submitted should be
supported by documentation such as maps, bibliographic references,
methods used to gather and analyze the data, and/or copies of any
pertinent publications, reports, or letters by knowledgeable sources.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that the entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Authority
We publish this document under the authority of the Endangered
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: December 22, 2009.
Patrick Leonard,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the
Federal Register on April 6, 2010.
[FR Doc. 2010-8102 Filed 4-8-10; 8:45 am]
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