Service recommends delisting for two species, downlisting for four and no change in status for six
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the completion of 5-year reviews for 12 species in California. Of the reviews being announced today, two are recommended for delisting, four for downlisting from endangered to threatened and six for no change in status.
These 5-year reviews were undertaken as required by section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) and were noticed for review on July 7, 2005. The 5-year review constitutes a recommendation by the Service. Any change in the listing status will require a separate rulemaking process.
The species included in this announcement are the western snowy plover, Kneeland prairie pennycress, Morro shoulderband snail, Hidden Lake bluecurls, California least tern, Santa Cruz rock-cress, night lizard, giant garter snake, San Francisco garter snake, valley elderberry longhorn beetle, Smiths blue butterfly, and least Bells vireo. The remainder of the 31 species noticed for review in 2005 are still undergoing review.
"Some endangered species are making significant progress toward recovery in California," said Steve Thompson, manager of California-Nevada Operations for the Service. "The hard work and effort of our partners in conservation -- a cross-section of Californians that includes many ranchers, other landowners, local governments, the State of California and the Department of Defense -- is paying off."
Recommended by the Services 5-year review for downlisting from endangered to threatened are the Smiths blue butterfly, Morro shoulderband snail, least Bells vireo, and California least tern.
Recommended for delisting are valley elderberry longhorn beetle and night lizard.
No status change was recommended for the western snowy plover, Kneeland prairie pennycress, Hidden Lake bluecurls, Santa Cruz rockcress San Francisco garter snake and giant garter snake.
Copies of the 5-year reviews can be found at the following offices and/or websites:
| Field Office | Species | Current Status | Recommendation | Website |
Arcata FWO | Western snowy plover | Threatened | No status change. Proposed 4(d) rule | |
Kneeland Prairie pennycress | Endangered | No status change | ||
Carlsbad FWO | Hidden Lake bluecurls | Threatened | No status change | |
California least tern | Endangered | Downlist to Threatened | ||
Santa Cruz Is. Rock cress | Endangered | No status change | ||
night lizard | Threatened | Delisting DPS on San Clemente Is. Retain as T DPSs on other islands | ||
Least Bells vireo | Endangered | Downlist to Threatened | ||
Sacramento FWO | Giant garter snake | Threatened | No status change | |
San Francisco garter snake | Endangered | No status change |
