90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Yellowstone National Park Bison Herd as Endangered

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Yellowstone National Park (YNP) bison herd as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). On the basis of our review of the petition and information readily available in our files, we have determined that there is substantial information indicating that the YNP bison herd may meet the criteria of discreteness and significance as defined by our policy on distinct vertebrate population segments (DPS). However, we have also determined that there is not substantial information indicating that listing the YNP bison herd under the Act may be warranted throughout all or a significant part of its range. We will not initiate a 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 YNP bison herd or threats to it or its habitat at any time. This information will help us monitor and encourage the conservation of the species.