90-day Finding for a Petition To List the Eastern Subspecies of the Greater Sage-Grouse as Endangered: Notice of 90-day petition finding, not substantial

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding for a petition to list the eastern subspecies of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus urophasianus) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing this subspecies may be warranted. This finding is based on our determination that there is a lack of evidence to indicate that the eastern sage-grouse is a valid subspecies, and our determination that the eastern population of sage- grouse does not constitute a Distinct Population Segment (DPS). We will not be initiating a further status review in response to this petition. We ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of the species or threats to it. This information will help us monitor and encourage the conservation of the species.