Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of Northeastern Bulrush From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the northeastern bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that delisting the species is warranted. Our review indicates that the threats to the northeastern bulrush have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Accordingly, we propose to delist the northeastern bulrush. If we finalize this rule as proposed, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through Sections 7 and 9 would no longer apply to the northeastern bulrush.