U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Review Status of 58 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 58 species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The species are found in Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and California.
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 January 24, 2010.
The species to be reviewed include the northern spotted owl, the Oregon silverspot butterfly, the Columbian white-tailed deer, the Oahu elepaio, the Oahu creeper, and 53 species of plants. Fifty of the plants are found in Hawaii, two are found in Washington (showy stickseed and Wenatchee Mountains checkermallow) and one in Oregon (Malheur wire-lettuce). A list of the species, their current listing classifications and more information about them is at the end of this news release.
Status reviews of all listed species are required by the ESA at least once every five 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 5-year reviews and where to submit comments and information please see today’s Federal Register. More information on each of the species can be found at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/index.html
For the 52 species in Hawaii, submit information to: Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-122, Box 50088, Honolulu, HI 96850. Information can also be submitted by e-mail to: pifwo-5yr-review@fws.gov.
For the Oregon silverspot butterfly, northern spotted owl, and Stephanomeria malheurensis, submit information to: Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 2600 SE. 98th Avenue, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97266. Information can also be submitted by e-mail to: fw1orfiveyearreview@fws.gov.
For the Columbian white-tailed deer, Hackelia venusta, and Sidalcea oregana var. calva, submit information to: Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Dr. SE, Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503.
For further information contact: Marilet Zablan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 808-792-9400 (for species in Hawaii); Jeff Dillon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 503-231-6179 (for Oregon silverspot butterfly, northern spotted owl, and Stephanomeria malheurensis); or Jodi Bush, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 360-753-9440 (for Columbian white-tailed deer, Hackelia venusta, and Sidalcea oregana var. calva). Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8337 for TTY assistance.
The Pacific Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it is initiating 5-year reviews of 58 species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The species are found in Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and California.
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 January 24, 2010.
The species to be reviewed include the northern spotted owl, the Oregon silverspot butterfly, the Columbian white-tailed deer, the Oahu elepaio, the Oahu creeper, and 53 species of plants. Fifty of the plants are found in Hawaii, two are found in Washington (showy stickseed and Wenatchee Mountains checkermallow) and one in Oregon (Malheur wire-lettuce). A list of the species, their current listing classifications and more information about them is at the end of this news release.
Status reviews of all listed species are required by the ESA at least once every five 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 5-year reviews and where to submit comments and information please see today’s Federal Register. More information on each of the species can be found at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/index.html
For the 52 species in Hawaii, submit information to: Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-122, Box 50088, Honolulu, HI 96850. Information can also be submitted by e-mail to: pifwo-5yr-review@fws.gov.
For the Oregon silverspot butterfly, northern spotted owl, and Stephanomeria malheurensis, submit information to: Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 2600 SE. 98th Avenue, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97266. Information can also be submitted by e-mail to: fw1orfiveyearreview@fws.gov.
For the Columbian white-tailed deer, Hackelia venusta, and Sidalcea oregana var. calva, submit information to: Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Dr. SE, Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503.
For further information contact: Marilet Zablan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 808-792-9400 (for species in Hawaii); Jeff Dillon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 503-231-6179 (for Oregon silverspot butterfly, northern spotted owl, and Stephanomeria malheurensis); or Jodi Bush, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 360-753-9440 (for Columbian white-tailed deer, Hackelia venusta, and Sidalcea oregana var. calva). Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8337 for TTY assistance.
