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Fish
and Wildlife Service Conducts Five-Year Status
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to conduct five-year status reviews of 18 threatened and endangered species in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including: three birds, four reptiles, one amphibian, and 10 plants. A five-year review is conducted to ensure that a listing classification under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is accurate. 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 by November 20, 2007. The Federal Register notice (Vol. 72, No. 183, pages 54061-54062) announcing the status review of these 18 federally listed was published September 21, 2007 is available online at http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/E7-18557.html You can also contact us to request a copy at 787-851-7297 ext. 239 or Lilibeth_Serrano@fws.gov This notice covers 18 species including the Puerto Rican broad-winged hawk, Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk, yellow-shouldered blackbird, Mona boa, Monito gecko, Mona ground iguana, St. Croix ground lizard, and Puerto Rican crested toad. Also included are 10 plants: Aristida chaseae, Aristida portoricensis, palma de manaca, Cranichis ricartii, higuero de Sierra, Eugenia woodburyana, Lyonia truncata var. proctorii, palo de rosa, cóbana negra, and Vernonia proctorii. Specifically, this review seeks 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. Comments and materials received will be available for public review by appointment. 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Visit the Service’s website at http://www.fws.gov.
For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov/southeast or http://www.fws.gov/. NOTE: You can view our releases or subscribe to receive them -- via e-mail -- at the Service's Southeast Regional home page at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/news. Our national home page is at: http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/. Atlanta, GA 30345, Phone: 404/679-7289 Fax: 404/679-7286 |
