Service Requests New Information
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today published a notice of review in Federal Register for the initiation of 5 year reviews for 31 species as required by section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The purpose of reviews conducted under this section of the Act is to ensure that the listing classification of a species is accurate, is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review, and whether the status of the listed species should be considered for change.
To accomplish this, the Service is requesting submission of any new information produced since the original listing of each of these 31 taxa. Based on the results of these 5-year reviews, we will make the requisite findings under section 4(c)(2)(B) of the Act.
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). The Act also requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years and on the basis of such reviews 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 substantiates 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 requires a separate rulemaking process distinct from the 5-year review.
The periodic review of new information about listed species is an important aspect of the Endangered Species Act," according to Steve Thompson, Manager of California-Nevada Operations for the Service. "The process we are beginning today is the first step in a comprehensive review of listed species in California. How rapidly we are able to complete this effort will depend on the number and scale of other demands placed on our limited resources."
To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best available scientific and commercial information, The Service is soliciting new information from the public, concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other interested parties concerning the status of these 31 species which are currently listed as endangered or threatened. The Federal Register Notice indicates where comments should be sent for each species.
These reviews consider the best scientific and commercial data and all new information that has become available since the listing determination or most recent status review. Categories of requested information include (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 that benefit the species; (D) threat status and trends; 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.
The complete Notice and list of candidates and proposed species appear in todays Federal Register. (A link is at the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Offices Web site at http://www.fws.gov/pacific/sacramento/default.htm
Species in consideration in the notice for review are the Valley elderberry longhorn beetle, Smiths blue butterfly, Delhi Sands flower-loving fly, Morro shoulderband snail, giant garter snake, San Francisco garter snake, night lizard, California least tern, least Bells vireo, Chinese Camp brodiaea, Mariposa pussypaws, San Clemente Indian paintbrush, spring-loving centaury, Springville clarkia, San Clemente larkspur, Santa Barbara dudleya, Ash meadows gumplant, San Clemente woodland star, San Clemente lotus, San Clemente bush mallow, Amargosa niterwort, Eureka Valley evening primrose, Yreka phlox, Hartwegs golden sunburst, San Joaquin adobe sunburst, Santa Cruz rock-cress, Eureka Dune grass, Kneeland Prairie pennycress, Hidden Lake bluecurls, Red Hills vervain and Keck's checkerbloom.
