[Federal Register: March 29, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 59)]
[Notices]
[Page 15454-15456]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr10-87]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R2-ES-2010-N028; 20124-11130000-C4]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Status
Reviews of 14 Southwestern Species
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of review; request for information.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are
initiating 5-year status reviews of 14 southwestern species listed
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act). We conduct these
reviews to ensure that our classification of each species on the Lists
of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants as threatened or
endangered is accurate. A 5-year review assesses the best scientific
and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are
requesting the public send us any information that has become available
since our original listing of each of these species. Based on review
results, we will determine whether we should change the listing status
of any of these species.
DATES: To ensure consideration in this status review, please send your
written information by June 28, 2010. However, we will continue to
accept new information about any listed species at any time.
ADDRESSES: Submit information on these species to us at the addresses
under ``Public Comments'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. We
will make information we receive in response to this notice available
for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at
the same addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the appropriate office named
in ``Public Comments'' for species-specific information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Why Do We Conduct a 5-Year Review?
Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires
that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years.
We are then, under section 4(c)(2)(B) and the provisions of subsections
(a) and (b), to determine, on the basis of such a review, whether or
not any species should be removed (delisted) from the List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 17.12), or
reclassified from endangered to threatened (downlisted), or from
threatened to endangered (uplisted).
The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we are
requesting submission of any new information (best scientific and
commercial data) on the following 14 species since their original
listings as either endangered (Alamosa springsnail, Hualapai Mexican
vole, northern aplomado falcon, Rio Grande silvery minnow, Sneed
pincushion cactus, star cactus, Texas prairie dawn-flower, Texas
trailing phlox, white bladderpod, and whooping crane) or threatened
(Gila trout, Lee pincushion cactus, loach minnow, and spikedace). If
the present classification of any of these species is not consistent
with the best scientific and commercial information available, we will
recommend whether or not a change is warranted in the Federal
classification of that species. Any change in Federal classification
would require a separate rulemaking process.
Our 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 14 species
listed in Table 1.
What Do We Consider in Our Review?
A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time
of the review. These reviews will consider the best scientific and
commercial data that has 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 of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants, and improved analytical methods.
How Are These Species Currently Listed?
The List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) is
found in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants). Amendments to the
List through final rules are published in the Federal Register. The
List is also available on our Internet site at http://www.fws.gov/
endangered/wildlife.html. In Table 1 below, we provide a summary of the
current listing information for the species under active review.
Table 1--Current Listing Status of Species Under 5-Year Status Review
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Final listing rule
Common name Scientific name Status Where listed publication date
and citation
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ANIMALS
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Alamosa springsnail............. Tryonia alamosae.. Endangered........ U.S.A. (NM)....... September 30, 1991
(56 FR 49646).
Gila trout...................... Oncorhynchus gilae Threatened........ U.S.A. (AZ, NM)... May 11, 2005
(70 FR 24750).
[[Page 15455]]
Hualapai Mexican vole........... Microtus mexicanus Endangered........ U.S.A. (AZ)....... October 1, 1987
hualpaiensis. (52 FR 36776).
Loach minnow.................... Tiaroga cobitis... Threatened........ U.S.A. (AZ, NM)... October 28, 1986
(51 FR 39468).
Northern aplomado falcon........ Falco femoralis Endangered, U.S.A. (AZ, NM, February 25, 1986
septentrionalis. Experimental, Non- TX). (51 FR 6686).
essential.
Rio Grande silvery minnow....... Hybognathus amarus Endangered........ U.S.A. (NM, TX)... July 20, 1994
(59 FR 36988).
Spikedace....................... Meda fulgida...... Threatened........ U.S.A. (AZ, NM)... July 1, 1986
(51 FR 23769).
Whooping crane.................. Grus americana.... Endangered, U.S.A. (TX + 27 March 11, 1967
Experimental Non- states). (32 FR 4001).
essential.
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PLANTS
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Lee pincushion cactus........... Coryphantha Threatened........ U.S.A. (NM)....... October 25, 1979
sneedii leei. (44 FR 61554).
Sneed pincushion cactus......... Coryphantha Endangered........ U.S.A. (NM, TX)... November 7, 1979
sneedii sneedii. (44 FR 64741).
Star cactus..................... Astrophytum Endangered........ U.S.A. (TX)....... October 18, 1993
asterias. (58 FR 53804).
Texas prairie dawn-flower....... Hymenoxys texana.. Endangered........ U.S.A. (TX)....... March 13, 1986
(51 FR 8681).
Texas trailing phlox............ Phlox nivalis Endangered........ U.S.A. (TX)....... September 30, 1991
texensis. (56 FR 49636).
White bladderpod................ Lesquerella Endangered........ U.S.A. (TX)....... March 11, 1987
pallida. (52 FR 7424).
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Definitions
In classifying, we use the following definitions:
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 species (E) means any species that is in danger of
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
C. Threatened species (T) means any species that is likely to
become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout
all or a significant portion of its range.
D. Experimental population--non-essential (XN) means any population
of an endangered or threatened species (including any offspring arising
solely therefrom) authorized for release (and the related
transportation) outside the current range of the species, that is
wholly separate geographically from nonexperimental populations of the
same species, to promote the further conservation of that species.
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 endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five
following 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 Our Review?
For each species under review, if we find new information that
indicates 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 threatened to endangered (uplist);
(B) Reclassify the species from endangered to threatened
(downlist); or
(C) Remove the species from the List (delist).
If we determine that a change in classification is not warranted,
then the species remains on the List under its current status.
Public Comments
Submit information regarding whooping crane (Grus americanus) to
the Refuge Manager, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box
100, Austwell, TX 77950. The office phone number is 361-286-3559.
Submit information regarding Hualupai Mexican vole (Microtus
mexicanus hualpaiensis), loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis), and spikedace
(Meda fulgida) to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office,
2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoeniz, AZ 85021. The office
phone number is 602-242-0210.
Submit information regarding Texas prairie dawn-flower (Hymenoxys
texana), Texas trailing phlox (Phlox nivalis texensis), and white
bladderpod (Lesquerella pallida) to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-
year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clear Lake Ecological
Services Field Office, 17629 El Camino Real, Suite 211, Houston, TX
77058. The office phone number is 281-286-8282.
Submit information regarding star cactus (Astrophytum asterias) to
the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Corpus Christi Ecological Services Field Office, c/o TAMU-CC,
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5837, Corpus Christi, TX 78412. The office phone
number is 361-994-9005.
Submit information regarding Alamosa springsnail (Tryonia
alamosae), Gila trout (Oncorhynchus
[[Page 15456]]
gilae), Lee pincushion cactus (Coryphantha sneedii leei), northern
aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis), Rio Grande silvery
minnow (Hybognathus amarus), and Sneed pincushion cactus (Coryphantha
sneedii sneedii) to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office,
2105 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113. The office phone number is
505-346-2525.
Request for New Information
We request any new information concerning the status of the 14
species in Table 1. See ``What Information Do We Consider in Our
Review?'' 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.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your comments, you should be aware
that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Authority
This document is published under the authority of the Endangered
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: January 29, 2010.
Thomas L. Bauer,
Regional Director, Region 2.
[FR Doc. 2010-6868 Filed 3-26-10; 8:45 am]
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