90-day Finding on Petitions to Establish the Northern Rocky Mountain Distinct Population Segment of Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) and to Remove the Gray Wolf in the Northern Rocky Mountain Distinct Population Segment from the List of Endangered and Threatened

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), announce a 90- day finding for two petitions--(1) the first that sought removal of the gray wolf from the designation of endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA); and (2) the second that requested to establish the northern Rocky Mountain Distinct Population Segment (Rocky Mountain DPS) of gray wolf (Canis lupus) and to remove the gray wolf in the northern Rocky Mountain DPS from the Federal list of threatened and endangered species, pursuant to the ESA. Although only one of these petitions presented substantial information, we have considered the collective weight of evidence indicating that the northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves may qualify as a DPS and that delisting may be warranted. We are initiating a status review to determine if delisting the species is warranted. To ensure that the review is comprehensive, we are soliciting information and data regarding this species.