U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Review Status of 71 Pacific Region Species - Latest scientific and commercial information sought for update

The Pacific Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it is initiating 5-year reviews of 71 species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The species are found in "mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1Oregon"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1, Hawaii, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Territory of Guam.

To assist in its reviews, the Service is opening a 60-day public comment period for the submission of scientific and commercial information produced since the original listing of each of these species. The public, government agencies, tribes, industry and the scientific and conservation communities are asked to submit information by May 7, 2007.

The species to be reviewed include 1 fish, 1 snail, 10 birds, 57 plants, 1 moth, and 1 mammal. A list of the species, their current listing classifications and more information about them is at the end of this news release.

Periodic status reviews of all listed species are required by the ESA at least once every 5 years to determine whether a species? classification as threatened or endangered is still appropriate. If the best scientific and commercial data produced since the time of listing are not consistent with the current classification of any species, the Service will recommend a change in the species? federal classification. A species could be recommended for reclassification from endangered to threatened (downlisting), from threatened to endangered (uplisting), or for removal from the federal list of threatened and endangered species (delisting).

Any recommended change in classification would be subject to a separate rule-making process that includes opportunities for public review and comment. If no change in classification is recommended, the species would remain under its current listing status.

Information that is considered in a status review includes:

" Species biology, including but not limited to, population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics and genetics;

" Habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, distribution and suitability;

" Conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the species;

" Threat status and trends; and

" 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.

For more information on the status reviews and where to submit comments and information please see today's Federal Register.

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