[Federal Register: June 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 113)] [Notices] [Page 34492-34494] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr14jn05-81] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 25 Southeastern Species AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 5- year review of the ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera), flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum), watercress darter (Etheostoma nuchale), pygmy sculpin (Cottus pygmaeus), southern acornshell (Epioblasma othcaloogensis), ovate clubshell (Pleurobema perovatum), southern [[Page 34493]] clubshell (Pleurobema decisum), upland combshell (Epioblasma metastriata), triangular kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus greenii), Alabama moccasinshell (Medionidus acutissimus), Coosa moccasinshell (Medionidus parvulus), orange-nacre mucket (Lampsilis perovalis), dark pigtoe (Pleurobema furvum), southern pigtoe (Pleurobema georgianum), fine- lined pocketbook (Lampsilis altilis), lacy elimia (Elimia crenatella), cylindrical lioplax (Lioplax cyclostomaformis), flat pebblesnail (Lepyrium showalteri), painted rocksnail (Leptoxis taeniata), plicate rocksnail (Leptoxis plicata), round rocksnail (Leptoxis ampla), tulotoma snail (Tulotoma magnifica), Alabama cave shrimp (Palaemonias alabamae), Alabama leather flower (Clematis socialis), and Morefield's leather flower (Clematis morefieldii) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act). The purpose of reviews conducted under this section of the Act is to ensure that the classification of species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12) is accurate. The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, information submitted for our consideration must be received on or before August 15, 2005 However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time. ADDRESSES: Information submitted on the Alabama cave shrimp should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Daphne Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1208-B Main Street, Daphne, Alabama, 36526. Information about the remaining 24 species should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Jackson Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Jackson, Mississippi 39213. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Powell at the Daphne, Alabama, address above for the Alabama cave shrimp (telephone, 251/441-5858) and Paul Hartfield at the above Jackson, Mississippi, address for the remaining 24 species (telephone, 601/321-1125). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Act, the Service maintains a list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants) (collectively referred to as the List). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years. Then, on the basis of such reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether or not any species should be removed from the List (delisted), or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. Delisting a species must be supported by the best scientific and commercial data available and only considered if such data substantiate that the species is neither endangered nor threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1) The species is considered extinct; (2) the species is considered to be recovered; and/or (3) the original data available when the species was listed, or the interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change in Federal classification would require a separate rulemaking process. The regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active review. This notice announces our active review of the following species that are currently federally listed as threatened: Ringed map turtle, flatwoods salamander, pygmy sculpin, Alabama moccasinshell, orange-nacre mucket, fine-lined pocketbook, lacy elimia, painted rocksnail, round rocksnail; and the following species federally listed as endangered: watercress darter, southern acornshell, ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, upland combshell, triangular kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, dark pigtoe, southern pigtoe, cylindrical lioplax, flat pebblesnail, plicate rocksnail, tulotoma snail, Alabama cave shrimp, Alabama leather flower, and Morefield's leather flower. The List is found in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants) and is also available on our Internet site at http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species. Amendments to the List through final rules are published in the Federal Register. What Information Is Considered in the Review? A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time of the review. A 5-year review will consider the best scientific and commercial data that have become available since the current listing determination or most recent status review of each species, such as: A. Species biology, including but not limited to population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; B. Habitat conditions, including but not limited to amount, distribution, and suitability; C. Conservation measures that have been implemented to benefit the species; D. Threat status and trends (see five factors under heading ``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. Specific Information Requested for the Acornshell and Upland Combshell We are especially interested in information on surviving populations of the southern acornshell and upland combshell. We specifically request any recent information regarding the collection of live or fresh dead shells of these species, as well as information on their location, numbers, and/or habitats. Specific Information Requested for the Alabama Cave Shrimp We are especially interested in information on surviving populations of Alabama cave shrimp. We specifically request any recent information regarding the collection and or observation of these animals, as well as information on their location, numbers, and/or habitats. We are also interested in recent groundwater studies that address hydrologic connectivity and or water quality, water levels, or water-aging analyses conducted in the vicinity of Bobcat, Shelta, Brazelton, Glover, and Hering caves in Madison County, Alabama. Definitions Related to This Notice The following definitions are provided to assist those persons who contemplate submitting information regarding the species being reviewed: A. Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate, which interbreeds when mature. B. Endangered means any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. C. Threatened means any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. How Do We Determine Whether a Species Is Endangered or Threatened? Section 4(a)(1) of the Act establishes that we determine whether a species is [[Page 34494]] endangered or threatened based on one or more of the following five 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. Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that our determination be made on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available. What Could Happen as a Result of This Review? If we find that there is new information concerning any of these 25 species indicating that 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 endangered to threatened (downlist); (b) reclassify the species from threatened to endangered (uplist); or (c) delist the species. If we determine that a change in classification is not warranted, then these species will remain on the List under their current status. Public Solicitation of New Information We request any new information concerning the status of these 25 species. See ``What information is considered in the review?'' heading for specific criteria. Information submitted should be supported by 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. Our practice is to make comments, including names/home addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home addresses from the supporting record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There may be circumstances in which we may withhold from the supporting record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will not consider anonymous comments, however, we will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Authority This document is published under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: May 13, 2005. Cynthia K. Dohner, Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 05-11704 Filed 6-13-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P