[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25112-25116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10212]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[FWS-R8-ES-2012-N073; FF0800000-FXES11130800000C4-123]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Reviews of
Species in California and Nevada
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of 5-year reviews.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are initiating 5-year
reviews for 25 species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act). We conduct these reviews to ensure that our
classification of species on the Lists of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants as threatened or endangered is accurate. A 5-year
review assesses the best scientific and commercial data available at
the time of the review. We are requesting any information that has
become available since our last 5-year review of each of these species.
Based on review results, we will determine whether we should change the
listing status of any of these species. In this notice, we also
announce 5-year reviews that were completed for 28 species in
California and Nevada between March 17, 2011, and February 29, 2012.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written information by
June 26, 2012.
ADDRESSES: For how and where to send comments or information, see
``VIII., Contacts.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For species-specific information,
contact the appropriate person listed under ``VIII., Contacts.'' For
contact information about completed 5-year reviews, see ``IX.,
Completed 5-Year Reviews.''
[[Page 25113]]
Individuals who are hearing-impaired or speech-impaired may call the
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8337 for TTY assistance.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Why do we conduct 5-year reviews?
Under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we maintain Lists of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (which we collectively
refer to as the List) in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50
CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of
the Act requires us to review each listed species' status at least once
every 5 years. Then, under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether to
remove any species from the List (delist), to reclassify it from
endangered to threatened, or to reclassify it from threatened to
endangered. Any change in Federal classification requires a separate
rulemaking process.
In classifying, we use the following definitions, from 50 CFR
424.02:
(A) Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife,
or plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of
vertebrate, that interbreeds when mature;
(B) Endangered species means any species that is in danger of
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range; and
(C) Threatened species means any species that is likely to become
an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range.
We must support delisting by the best scientific and commercial
data available, and only consider delisting if data substantiate that
the species is neither endangered nor threatened for one or more of the
following reasons (50 CFR 424.11(d)):
(A) The species is considered extinct;
(B) The species is considered to be recovered; or
(C) The original data available when the species was listed, or the
interpretation of data, were in error.
Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice
in the Federal Register announcing the species we are reviewing.
II. What species are under review?
This notice announces our active 5-year status reviews of the
species in Table 1.
Table 1--Current Listing Status of Species Under 5-Year Status Review, Including 5 Animal Species and 20 Plant
Species in California and Nevada
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Final listing
Common name Scientific name Status Where listed rule
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ANIMALS
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Independence Valley speckled Rhinichthys Endangered........... U.S.A. (NV).......... October 10, 1989
dace. osculus (54 FR 41448).
lethoporus.
Paiute cutthroat trout........ Oncorhynchus Threatened........... U.S.A. (CA).......... July 16, 1975
clarki (40 FR 29863).
seleniris.
Riverside fairy shrimp........ Streptocephalus Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... August 3, 1993
woottoni. (58 FR 41384).
San Diego fairy shrimp........ Branchinecta Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... February, 3 1997
sandiegonensis. (62 FR 4925).
Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep... Ovis canadensis Threatened........... U.S.A. (CA).......... January 3, 2000
sierrae. (65 FR 20).
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PLANTS
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Ben Lomond wallflower......... Erysimum Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... February 4, 1994
teretifolium. (59 FR 5499).
Burke's goldfields............ Lasthenia burkei Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... December 2, 1991
(56 FR 61173).
Butte County meadowfoam....... Limnanthes Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... June 8, 1992 (57
floccosa subsp. FR 24192).
californica.
Colusa grass.................. Neostapfia Threatened........... U.S.A. (CA).......... March 26, 1997
colusana. (62 FR 14338).
Contra Costa goldfields....... Lasthenia Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... June 18, 1997
conjugens. (62 FR 33029).
Few-flowered navarretia....... Navarretia Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... June 18, 1997
leucocephala (62 FR 33029).
subsp.
pauciflora.
Greene's tuctoria............. Tuctoria greenei Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... March 26, 1997
(62 FR 14338).
Island barberry............... Berberis pinnata Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... July 31, 1997
subsp. (62 FR 40954).
insularis.
Island phacelia............... Phacelia Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... July 31, 1997
insulars var. (62 FR 40954).
insularis.
Lyon's pentachaeta............ Pentachaeta Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... January 29, 1997
lyonii. (62 FR 4172).
Marsh sandwort................ Arenaria Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... August 3, 1993
paludicola. (58 FR 41378).
Menzies' wallflower........... Erysimum Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... June 22, 1992
menziesii. (50 FR 27848).
Peirson's milk-vetch.......... Astragalus Threatened........... U.S.A. (CA).......... October 6, 1998
magdalenae var. (63 FR 53596).
peirsonii.
Purple amole.................. Chlorogalum Threatened........... U.S.A. (CA).......... March 20, 2000
purpureum. (65 FR 14878).
Sacramento Orcutt grass....... Orcuttia viscida Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... March 28, 1997
(62 FR 14338).
San Bernardino bluegrass...... Poa atropurpurea Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... September 14,
1998 (63 FR
49006).
Sebastopol meadowfoam......... Limnanthes Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... December 2, 1991
vinculans. (56 FR 61173).
Sonoma sunshine............... Blennosperma Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... December 2, 1991
bakeri. (56 FR 61173).
Vail Lake ceanothus........... Ceanothus Threatened........... U.S.A. (CA).......... October 13, 1998
ophiochilus. (63 FR 54956).
Willowy monardella............ Monardella Endangered........... U.S.A. (CA).......... October 13, 1998
viminea. (63 FR 54938).
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III. What information do we consider in our review?
We consider all new information available at the time we conduct a
5-year status review. We consider the best scientific and commercial
data that has become available since our current listing determination
or most recent status review, such as:
(A) Species biology, including but not limited to population
trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics;
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(B) Habitat conditions, including but not limited to amount,
distribution, and suitability;
(C) Conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit
the species;
(D) Threat status and trends (see five factors under heading ``IV.,
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.
We specifically request information regarding data from any
systematic surveys, as well as any studies or analysis of data that may
show population size or trends; information pertaining to the biology
or ecology of these species; information regarding the effects of
current land management on population distribution and abundance;
information on the current condition of habitat; and recent information
regarding conservation measures that have been implemented to benefit
the species. Additionally, we specifically request information
regarding the current distribution of populations and evaluation of
threats faced by the species in relation to the five listing factors
(as defined below and in section 4(a)(1) of the Act) and the species'
listed status as judged against the definition of threatened or
endangered. Finally, we request recommendations pertaining to the
development of, or potential updates to, recovery plans and additional
actions or studies that would benefit these species in the future.
IV. How do we determine whether a species is endangered or threatened?
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that we determine whether a
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five
following 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.
Under section 4(b)(1) of the Act, we must base our assessment of
these factors solely on the best scientific and commercial data
available.
V. What could happen as a result of our review?
For each species under review, if we find new information that
indicates a change in classification may be warranted, we may propose a
new rule that could do one of the following:
(A) Reclassify the species from threatened to endangered (uplist);
(B) Reclassify the species from endangered to threatened
(downlist); or
(C) Remove the species from the List (delist).
If we determine that a change in classification is not warranted, then
the species remains on the List under its current status.
VI. Request for New Information
To ensure that a 5-year review is complete and based on the best
available scientific and commercial information, we request new
information from all sources. See ``III., What Information Do We
Consider in Our Review?'' for specific criteria. If you submit
information, support it with 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.
Submit your comments and materials to the appropriate Fish and
Wildlife Office listed under ``VIII., Contacts.''
VII. Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your 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. Comments and materials received will be available for
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the
offices where the comments are submitted.
VIII. Contacts
Send your comments and information on the following species, as
well as requests for information, to the corresponding contacts/
addresses. You may view information we receive in response to this
notice, as well as other documentation in our files, at the following
locations by appointment, during normal business hours.
For the Menzies' wallflower, send information to Field Supervisor,
Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arcata Fish
and Wildlife Office, 1655 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521. Information
may also be submitted electronically at arcata@fws.gov. To obtain
further information, contact Kathleen Brubaker at (707) 822-7201.
For the Peirson's milk-vetch, Riverside fairy shrimp, San
Bernardino bluegrass, San Diego fairy shrimp, Vail Lake ceanothus, and
Willowy monardella, send information to Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-
Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife
Office, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 101, Carlsbad, CA 92011.
Information may also be submitted electronically at
fw8cfwocomments@fws.gov. To obtain further information, contact Bradd
Baskerville-Bridges at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at (760)
431-9440.
For the Independence Valley speckled dace and Paiute cutthroat
trout, send information to State Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, 1340
Financial Blvd., Suite 234, Reno, Nevada 89502-7147. Information may
also be submitted electronically at fw1nfwo_5yr@fws.gov. To obtain
further information, contact Jill Ralston at the Nevada Fish and
Wildlife Office at (775) 861-6300.
For the Burke's goldfields, Butte County meadowfoam, Colusa grass,
Contra Costa goldfields, few-flowered navarretia, Greene's tuctoria,
Sacramento Orcutt grass, Sebastopol meadowfoam, and Sonoma sunshine,
send information to Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800
Cottage Way, Room W-2605, Sacramento, CA 95825. Information may also be
submitted electronically at fw1sfo5year@fws.gov. To obtain further
information, contact Josh Hull at the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife
Office at (916) 414-6600.
For the Ben Lomond wallflower, island barberry, island phacelia,
Lyon's pentachaeta, marsh sandwort, purple amole, and Sierra Nevada
bighorn sheep, send information to Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year
Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Fish and Wildlife
Office, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. Information may
also be submitted electronically at fw8vfwo5year@fws.gov. To obtain
further information on the animal species, contact Mike McCrary at the
Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office at (805) 644-1766. To obtain further
information on the plant species, contact Connie Rutherford at the
Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office at (805) 644-1766.
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All electronic information must be submitted in Text format or Rich
Text format. Include the following identifier in the subject line of
the email: Information on 5-year review for [NAME OF SPECIES], and
include your name and return address in the body of your message.
IX. Completed 5-Year Reviews
We also take this opportunity to inform the public of 5-year
reviews that we completed between March 17, 2011, and February 29,
2012, for 28 species in California and Nevada (Table 2). Reviews for
these 28 species can be found at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/index.html. Any recommended change in listing status resulting from
these completed reviews will require a separate rulemaking process.
Table 2--Summary of 28 Species in California and Nevada for Which 5-Year Reviews Were Completed Between March
17, 2011 and February 29, 2012
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Lead fish and wildlife
Common name Scientific name Recommendation office Contact
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ANIMALS
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Alameda whipsnake (=striped Masticophis No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
racer). lateralis 414-6600.
euryxanthus.
Buena Vista Lake shrew......... Sorex ornatus No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
relictus. 414-6600.
California freshwater shrimp... Syncaris pacifica No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
414-6600.
Little Kern golden trout....... Oncorhynchus No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
aguabonita 414-6600.
whitei.
Lotis blue butterfly........... Lycaeides No status change. Arcata................ Kathleen
argyrognomon Brubaker, (707)
lotis. 822-7201.
Morro Bay kangaroo rat......... Dipodomys No status change. Ventura............... Mike McCrary,
heermanni (805) 644-1766.
morroensis.
Peninsular bighorn sheep....... Ovis Canadensis.. No status change. Carlsbad.............. Bradd Baskerville-
Bridges, (760)
431-9440.
Stephens' kangaroo rat......... Dipodomys Downlist......... Carlsbad.............. Bradd Baskerville-
stephensi. Bridges, (760)
431-9440.
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PLANTS
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Ash Meadows sunray............. Enceliopsis No status change. Nevada................ Jill Ralston,
nudicaulis var. (775) 861-6300.
corrugata.
Bakersfield cactus............. Opuntia treleasei No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
414-6600.
Beach layia.................... Layia carnosa.... Downlist......... Arcata................ Kathleen
Brubaker, (707)
822-7201.
Ben Lomond spineflower......... Chorizanthe No status change. Ventura............... Connie
pungens var. Rutherford,
hartwegiana. (805) 644-1766.
Coyote ceanothus............... Ceanothus No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
ferrisae. 414-6600.
Encinitas baccharis............ Baccharis No status change. Carlsbad.............. Bradd Baskerville-
vanessae. Bridges, (760)
431-9440.
Fleshy owl's-clover............ Castilleja No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
campestris 414-6600.
subsp.
succulenta.
Gambel's watercress............ Nasturtium No status change. Ventura............... Connie
gambelii. Rutherford,
(805) 644-1766.
Gaviota tarplant............... Deinandra No status change. Ventura............... Connie
increscens Rutherford,
subsp. villosa. (805) 644-1766.
Hoffmann's rock-cress.......... Arabis hoffmannii No status change. Ventura............... Connie
Rutherford,
(805) 644-1766.
Howell's spineflower........... Chorizanthe No status change. Arcata................ Kathleen
howellii. Brubaker, (707)
822-7201.
Kneeland prairie pennycress.... Thlaspi No status change. Arcata................ Kathleen
californicum. Brubaker, (707)
822-7201.
Marin dwarf-flax............... Hesperolinon No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
congestum. 414-6600.
Pedate checkermallow........... Sidalcea pedata.. No status change. Carlsbad.............. Bradd Baskerville-
Bridges, (760)
431-9440.
Pennell's bird's-beak.......... Cordylanthus No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
tenuis subsp. 414-6600.
capillaris.
San Mateo woolly sunflower..... Eriophyllum No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
latilobum. 414-6600.
Sonoma alopecurus.............. Alopecurus No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
aequalis 414-6600.
var.sonomensis.
Tiburon mariposa lily.......... Calochortus No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
tiburonensis. 414-6600.
Vine Hill clarkia.............. Clarkia imbricata No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
414-6600.
Yellow larkspur................ Delphinium luteum No status change. Sacramento............ Josh Hull, (916)
414-6600.
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X. Authority
We publish this notice under the authority of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: March 30, 2012.
Margaret T. Kolar,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-10212 Filed 4-26-12; 8:45 am]
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