Fish and Wildlife Service Conducts Five-Year Status Reviews of 16 Southeastern Species

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2007

Contacts:
Tom MacKenzie, 404/679 7291

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced plans to conduct five-year status reviews of the endangered boulder darter and 15 other threatened and endangered species.

These five-year reviews are conducted to ensure that listing classifications under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are accurate and reflect the best available science. Any interested party is invited to provide information and comments pertaining to these species. Written comments and information related to these five-year reviews must be received on or before November 20, 2007.

This notice announces the Service’s review of the following species listed as endangered: Carolina northern flying squirrel (mammal), Cahow (bird), boulder darter (fish), relict darter (fish), Cumberland pigtoe (mussel), rough pigtoe (mussel), orangefoot pimpleback (mussel), tan riffleshell (mussel), white wartyback (mussel), Nashville crayfish (crayfish), Kentucky cave shrimp (shrimp), Cumberland sandwort (plant), Tennessee purple coneflower (plant), and rock gnome lichen (lichen). The notice also covers two species that are listed as threatened: noonday snail and large-flowered skullcap (plant).

Specifically, the reviews seek information on: (1) species biology, including population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat conditions, including amount, distribution, and suitability; (3) conservation measures that have been implemented; (4) threat status and trends; and (5) other new information, data, or corrections, including taxonomic or nomenclatural changes; identification of erroneous information contained in the ESA list, and improved analytical methods.

In addition to reviewing the classification of these species, a five-year review presents an opportunity to track the species’ recovery progress. It may benefit species by providing valuable information to guide future conservation efforts. Information gathered during a review can assist in making funding decisions, conducting interagency consultations, making permitting decisions, and determining whether to update recovery plans, and other actions under the ESA.

The Federal Register notice announcing the status review of these 16 federally listed species is available online at http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/E7-18558.html

Written comments and information on the Carolina northern flying squirrel may be e-mailed to Robert_Currie@fws.gov, faxed to 828/258-5330, or sent via regular mail to Robert Currie, Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North Carolina, 28801.

Written comments and information on the tan riffleshell may be e-mailed to Bob_Butler@fws.gov, faxed to 828/258-5339, or sent via regular mail to Bob Butler, Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North Carolina, 28801.

Written comments and information on the noonday snail may be e-mailed to John_Fridell@fws.gov, faxed to 828/258-5330, or sent via regular mail to Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North Carolina, 28801.

Written comments and information on the rock gnome lichen may be e-mailed to Carolyn_Wells@fws.gov, faxed to 828/258-5330, or sent via regular mail to Carolyn Wells, Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North Carolina, 28801.

Written comments and information on the boulder darter, Cumberland pigtoe, orangefoot pimpleback, or white wartyback may be e-mailed to James_Widlak@fws.gov, faxed to 931/528-7075, or sent via regular mail to Jim Widlak, Cookeville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501.

Written comments and information on the Nashville crayfish, Cumberland sandwort, Tennessee purple coneflower, or large-flowered skullcap may be e-mailed to Geoff_Call@fws.gov, faxed to 931/528-7075, or sent via regular mail to Geoff Call, Cookeville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501.

Written comments and information on the relict darter or Kentucky cave shrimp may be e-mailed to Mike_Floyd@fws.gov, faxed to 502/695-1024, or sent via regular mail to Mike Floyd, Frankfort Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 330 West Broadway, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.

Written comments and information on the rough pigtoe may be e-mailed to Leroy_Koch@fws.gov, faxed to 502/695-1024, or sent via regular mail to Leroy Koch, Frankfort Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 330 West Broadway, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.

Written comments and information on the Cahow may be e-mailed to David_Rabon@fws.gov, faxed to 919/856-4556, or sent via regular mail to David Rabon, Raleigh Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 33726, Raleigh, North Carolina 27636.

Information received in response to this notice of review will be available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the same addresses.