Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 25 Southeastern Species, 34492-34494 [05-11704]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 14, 2005 / Notices
Mike Jennings, Fish and Wildlife
Biologist, Jacksonville Field Office (see
ADDRESSES above), telephone: 904/232–
2580.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If you
wish to comment, you may submit
comments by any one of several
methods. Please reference permit
number TE098004–0 in such comments.
You may mail comments to the
Service’s Southeast Regional Office (see
ADDRESSES). You may also comment via
the Internet to david_dell@fws.gov.
Please submit comments over the
internet as an ASCII file, avoiding the
use of special characters and any form
of encryption. Please also include your
name and return address in your e-mail
message. If you do not receive a
confirmation from us that we have
received your e-mail message, contact
us directly at either telephone number
listed above (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT). Finally, you may
hand-deliver comments to either Service
office listed above (see ADDRESSES). Our
practice is to make comments, including
names and home addresses of
respondents, available for public review
during regular business hours.
Individual respondents may request that
we withhold their home addresses from
the administrative record. We will
honor such requests to the extent
allowable by law. There may also be
other circumstances in which we would
withhold from the administrative record
a respondent’s identity, as allowable by
law. If you wish us to withhold your
name and address, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your
comments. We will not, however,
consider anonymous comments. We
will make all submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
The Florida scrub-jay (scrub-jay) is
geographically isolated from other
species of scrub-jays found in Mexico
and the western United States. The
scrub-jay is found exclusively in
peninsular Florida and is restricted to
xeric uplands (well-drained, sandy soil
habitats supporting a growth of oakdominated scrub). Increasing urban and
agricultural development has resulted in
habitat loss and fragmentation, which
has adversely affected the distribution
and numbers of scrub-jays. The total
estimated population is between 7,000
and 11,000 individuals.
The decline in the number and
distribution of scrub-jays in central
Florida has been exacerbated by
agricultural land conversions and urban
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growth in the past 50 years. Much of the
historic commercial and residential
development has occurred on the dry
soils that previously supported scrubjay habitat. Based on existing soils data,
much of the current scrub-jay habitat of
central Florida occurs in what was once
the coastal sand dunes created over the
millennia due to rising and falling
oceans. These ancient dunes are most
prevalent from southern Highlands
County north to Marion County. Much
of this area of Florida was settled early
because few wetlands restricted urban
and agricultural development. Due to
the effects of urban and agricultural
development over the past 100 years,
much of the remaining scrub-jay habitat
is now relatively small and isolated.
What remains is largely degraded, due
to interruption of the natural fire regime
that is needed to maintain xeric uplands
in conditions suitable for scrub-jays.
Residential construction would take
place within Section 21, Township 16
South, Range 21 East, Marion County,
Florida. Surveys conducted by the
Applicant indicated that scrub-jays
occupied 93 of the 218 acres proposed
to be developed as a residential
community. The clearing of vegetation
for infrastructure and home
construction would destroy feeding,
breeding, and sheltering habitat of the
scrub-jay.
The Applicant has not proposed to
minimize impacts to scrub-jays at the
proposed construction site because
small, on-site scrub-jay preserves may
actually harm scrub-jays by
concentrating birds into an area where
predators may attack them, increasing
their susceptibility to collisions with
automobiles, and increasing the
incidence of competition with other
more urban-adapted bird species.
Instead of protecting habitat within the
future residential community, the
Applicant is proposing to acquire 158
acres, of which 102 acres is considered
suitable for scrub-jays. The U.S. Forest
Service has tentatively agreed to accept
fee title and management
responsibilities for the 158 acres which
would be acquired by the Applicant.
Although the Forest Service must work
through processes and procedures prior
to accepting the land donation and
agreeing to restoration and management
of the tract, it does not anticipate any
issues to arise that would prevent this
from happening. In addition, the
acquisition and subsequent transfer of
fee title would allow the U.S. Forest
Service access to an additional 87 acres
it currently owns but has been unable to
manage due to restricted access.
In combination with the acquisition of
the 158 acres described above, the
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Applicant proposes to contribute
$366,758 to the Florida Scrub-jay
Conservation Fund (Fund),
administered by the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). Through
an agreement between the Service and
NFWF, scrub-jay mitigation funds
deposited into the Fund are available for
the conservation of Florida scrub-jays.
Conservation efforts may include habitat
acquisition, habitat restoration and
habitat management.
The Service has made a preliminary
determination that the issuance of the
ITP is not a major Federal action
significantly affecting the quality of the
human environment within the meaning
of section 102(2)(C) of NEPA. This
preliminary information may be revised
due to public comment received in
response to this notice and is based on
information contained in the EA and
HCP.
The Service will evaluate the HCP
and comments submitted thereon to
determine whether the application
meets the requirements of section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. If it is determined
that those requirements are met, the ITP
will be issued for incidental take of the
Florida scrub-jay. The Service will also
evaluate whether issuance of the section
10(a)(1)(B) ITP complies with section 7
of the Act by conducting an intraService section 7 consultation. The
results of this consultation, in
combination with the above findings,
will be used in the final analysis to
determine whether or not to issue the
ITP.
Dated: May 24, 2005.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 05–11705 Filed 6–13–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; 5-Year Review of 25
Southeastern Species
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) announces a 5-year
review of the ringed map turtle
(Graptemys oculifera), flatwoods
salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum),
watercress darter (Etheostoma nuchale),
pygmy sculpin (Cottus pygmaeus),
southern acornshell (Epioblasma
othcaloogensis), ovate clubshell
(Pleurobema perovatum), southern
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 14, 2005 / Notices
clubshell (Pleurobema decisum), upland
combshell (Epioblasma metastriata),
triangular kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus
greenii), Alabama moccasinshell
(Medionidus acutissimus), Coosa
moccasinshell (Medionidus parvulus),
orange-nacre mucket (Lampsilis
perovalis), dark pigtoe (Pleurobema
furvum), southern pigtoe (Pleurobema
georgianum), fine-lined pocketbook
(Lampsilis altilis), lacy elimia (Elimia
crenatella), cylindrical lioplax (Lioplax
cyclostomaformis), flat pebblesnail
(Lepyrium showalteri), painted rocksnail
(Leptoxis taeniata), plicate rocksnail
(Leptoxis plicata), round rocksnail
(Leptoxis ampla), tulotoma snail
(Tulotoma magnifica), Alabama cave
shrimp (Palaemonias alabamae),
Alabama leather flower (Clematis
socialis), and Morefield’s leather flower
(Clematis morefieldii) under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act).
The purpose of reviews conducted
under this section of the Act is to ensure
that the classification of species as
threatened or endangered on the List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants (50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12) is
accurate. The 5-year review is an
assessment of the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time of
the review.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to
conduct this review, information
submitted for our consideration must be
received on or before August 15, 2005
However, we will continue to accept
new information about any listed
species at any time.
ADDRESSES: Information submitted on
the Alabama cave shrimp should be sent
to the Field Supervisor, Daphne Field
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
1208–B Main Street, Daphne, Alabama,
36526. Information about the remaining
24 species should be sent to the Field
Supervisor, Jackson Field Office, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578
Dogwood View Parkway, Jackson,
Mississippi 39213. Information received
in response to this notice of review will
be available for public inspection by
appointment, during normal business
hours, at the same addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff
Powell at the Daphne, Alabama, address
above for the Alabama cave shrimp
(telephone, 251/441–5858) and Paul
Hartfield at the above Jackson,
Mississippi, address for the remaining
24 species (telephone, 601/321–1125).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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)
(collectively referred to as the List).
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Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires
that we conduct a review of listed
species at least once every 5 years.
Then, on the basis of such reviews
under section 4(c)(2)(B), we 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 substantiate 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 would require a
separate rulemaking process. The
regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require
that we publish a notice in the Federal
Register announcing those species
currently under active review. This
notice announces our active review of
the following species that are currently
federally listed as threatened: Ringed
map turtle, flatwoods salamander,
pygmy sculpin, Alabama moccasinshell,
orange-nacre mucket, fine-lined
pocketbook, lacy elimia, painted
rocksnail, round rocksnail; and the
following species federally listed as
endangered: watercress darter, southern
acornshell, ovate clubshell, southern
clubshell, upland combshell, triangular
kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, dark
pigtoe, southern pigtoe, cylindrical
lioplax, flat pebblesnail, plicate
rocksnail, tulotoma snail, Alabama cave
shrimp, Alabama leather flower, and
Morefield’s leather flower.
The List is found in 50 CFR 17.11
(wildlife) and 17.12 (plants) and is also
available on our Internet site at https://
endangered.fws.gov/
wildlife.html#Species. Amendments to
the List through final rules are
published in the Federal Register.
What Information Is Considered in the
Review?
A 5-year review considers all new
information available at the time of the
review. A 5-year review will consider
the best scientific and commercial data
that have become available since the
current listing determination or most
recent status review of each species,
such as:
A. Species biology, including but not
limited to population trends,
distribution, abundance, demographics,
and genetics;
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34493
B. Habitat conditions, including but
not limited to amount, distribution, and
suitability;
C. Conservation measures that have
been implemented to benefit the
species;
D. Threat status and trends (see five
factors under heading ‘‘How do we
determine whether a species is
endangered or threatened?’’); 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.
Specific Information Requested for the
Acornshell and Upland Combshell
We are especially interested in
information on surviving populations of
the southern acornshell and upland
combshell. We specifically request any
recent information regarding the
collection of live or fresh dead shells of
these species, as well as information on
their location, numbers, and/or habitats.
Specific Information Requested for the
Alabama Cave Shrimp
We are especially interested in
information on surviving populations of
Alabama cave shrimp. We specifically
request any recent information
regarding the collection and or
observation of these animals, as well as
information on their location, numbers,
and/or habitats. We are also interested
in recent groundwater studies that
address hydrologic connectivity and or
water quality, water levels, or wateraging analyses conducted in the vicinity
of Bobcat, Shelta, Brazelton, Glover, and
Hering caves in Madison County,
Alabama.
Definitions Related to This Notice
The following definitions are
provided to assist those persons who
contemplate submitting information
regarding the species being reviewed:
A. Species includes any species or
subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plant,
and any distinct population segment of
any species of vertebrate, which
interbreeds when mature.
B. Endangered means any species that
is in danger of extinction throughout all
or a significant portion of its range.
C. Threatened means any species that
is likely to become an endangered
species within the foreseeable future
throughout all or a significant portion of
its range.
How Do We Determine Whether a
Species Is Endangered or Threatened?
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act establishes
that we determine whether a species is
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34494
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 14, 2005 / Notices
endangered or threatened based on one
or more of the following five factors:
A. The present or threatened
destruction, modification, or
curtailment of its habitat or range;
B. Overutilization for commercial,
recreational, scientific, or educational
purposes;
C. Disease or predation;
D. The inadequacy of existing
regulatory mechanisms; or
E. Other natural or manmade factors
affecting its continued existence.
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that
our determination be made on the basis
of the best scientific and commercial
data available.
What Could Happen as a Result of This
Review?
If we find that there is new
information concerning any of these 25
species indicating that a change in
classification may be warranted, we may
propose a new rule that could do one of
the following: (a) Reclassify the species
from endangered to threatened
(downlist); (b) reclassify the species
from threatened to endangered (uplist);
or (c) delist the species. If we determine
that a change in classification is not
warranted, then these species will
remain on the List under their current
status.
Public Solicitation of New Information
We request any new information
concerning the status of these 25
species. See ‘‘What information is
considered in the review?’’ heading for
specific criteria. Information submitted
should be supported by documentation
such as maps, bibliographic references,
methods used to gather and analyze the
data, and/or copies of any pertinent
publications, reports, or letters by
knowledgeable sources. Our practice is
to make comments, including names/
home addresses of respondents,
available for public review. Individual
respondents may request that we
withhold their home addresses from the
supporting record, which we will honor
to the extent allowable by law. There
may be circumstances in which we may
withhold from the supporting record a
respondent’s identity, as allowable by
law. If you wish to withhold your name
and/or address, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your
comment. We will not consider
anonymous comments, however, we
will make all submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
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Jkt 205001
Authority
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
This document is published under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Bureau of Land Management
[WY–957–05–1910–BJ–5RK4]
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of filing of Plats of
Survey, Wyoming.
Dated: May 13, 2005.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 05–11704 Filed 6–13–05; 8:45 am]
AGENCY:
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) is scheduled to file
the plats of surveys of the lands
described below thirty (30) calendar
days from the date of this publication in
the BLM Wyoming State Office,
Cheyenne, Wyoming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bureau of Land Management, 5353
Yellowstone Road, P.O. Box 1828,
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These
surveys were executed at the request of
the Bureau of Indian Affairs and are
necessary for the managements of lands.
The lands surveyed are:
The plat and field notes representing the
dependent resurvey of a portion of the
subdivisional lines, Township 2
North, Range 2 East, Wind River
Meridian, Wyoming, was accepted
June 8, 2005.
Copies of the preceding described plat
and field notes are available to the
public at $1.10 each.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[ES–960–1420–BJ–TRST] ES–053572,
Group No. 163, Wisconsin]
Eastern States: Filing of Plat of Survey
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Filing of Plat of
Survey; Wisconsin.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) will file the plat of
survey of the lands described below in
the BLM-Eastern States, Springfield,
Virginia, 30 calendar days from the date
of publication in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bureau of Land Management, 7450
Boston Boulevard, Springfield, Virginia
22153. Attn: Cadastral Survey.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
survey was requested by the Bureau of
Indian Affairs. The lands we surveyed
are:
Fourth Principal Meridian, Wisconsin
T. 51 N., R. 4 W.
The plat of survey represents the
dependent resurvey of a portion of the
north boundary, a portion of the
subdivisional lines, and the survey of
the subdivision of section 6, Township
51 North, Range 4 West, Fourth
Principal Meridian, Wisconsin, and was
accepted June 7, 2005. We will place a
copy of the plat we described in the
open files. It will be available to the
public as a matter of information.
If BLM receives a protest against this
survey, as shown on the plat, prior to
the date of the official filing, we will
stay the filing pending our
consideration of the protest.
We will not officially file the plat
until the day after we have accepted or
dismissed all protests and they have
become final, including decisions on
appeals.
Dated: June 7, 2005.
Stephen D. Douglas,
Chief Cadastral Surveyor.
[FR Doc. 05–11697 Filed 6–13–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–GJ–P
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Dated: June 8, 2005.
John P. Lee,
Chief Cadastral Surveyor, Division of Support
Services.
[FR Doc. 05–11699 Filed 6–13–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4467–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection,
Comment Request
Minerals Management Service
(MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of a revision of a
currently approved information
collection (OMB Control Number 1010–
0103).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: To comply with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995, we are inviting comments on a
collection of information that we will
submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review and approval.
The information collection request (ICR)
is titled ‘‘30 CFR Part 202—
ROYALTIES, Subpart J—Gas Production
From Indian Leases, and Part 206—
PRODUCT VALUATION, Subpart B—
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34492-34494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11704]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of
25 Southeastern Species
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 5-
year review of the ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera), flatwoods
salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum), watercress darter (Etheostoma
nuchale), pygmy sculpin (Cottus pygmaeus), southern acornshell
(Epioblasma othcaloogensis), ovate clubshell (Pleurobema perovatum),
southern
[[Page 34493]]
clubshell (Pleurobema decisum), upland combshell (Epioblasma
metastriata), triangular kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus greenii), Alabama
moccasinshell (Medionidus acutissimus), Coosa moccasinshell (Medionidus
parvulus), orange-nacre mucket (Lampsilis perovalis), dark pigtoe
(Pleurobema furvum), southern pigtoe (Pleurobema georgianum), fine-
lined pocketbook (Lampsilis altilis), lacy elimia (Elimia crenatella),
cylindrical lioplax (Lioplax cyclostomaformis), flat pebblesnail
(Lepyrium showalteri), painted rocksnail (Leptoxis taeniata), plicate
rocksnail (Leptoxis plicata), round rocksnail (Leptoxis ampla),
tulotoma snail (Tulotoma magnifica), Alabama cave shrimp (Palaemonias
alabamae), Alabama leather flower (Clematis socialis), and Morefield's
leather flower (Clematis morefieldii) under the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (Act). The purpose of reviews conducted under this section of
the Act is to ensure that the classification of species as threatened
or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and
Plants (50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12) is accurate. The 5-year review is an
assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the
time of the review.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, information
submitted for our consideration must be received on or before August
15, 2005 However, we will continue to accept new information about any
listed species at any time.
ADDRESSES: Information submitted on the Alabama cave shrimp should be
sent to the Field Supervisor, Daphne Field Office, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1208-B Main Street, Daphne, Alabama, 36526.
Information about the remaining 24 species should be sent to the Field
Supervisor, Jackson Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578
Dogwood View Parkway, Jackson, Mississippi 39213. Information received
in response to this notice of review will be available for public
inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the same
addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Powell at the Daphne, Alabama,
address above for the Alabama cave shrimp (telephone, 251/441-5858) and
Paul Hartfield at the above Jackson, Mississippi, address for the
remaining 24 species (telephone, 601/321-1125).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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) (collectively referred to as the
List). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we conduct a review
of listed species at least once every 5 years. Then, on the basis of
such reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we 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 substantiate
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 would require
a separate rulemaking process. The regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require
that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing those
species currently under active review. This notice announces our active
review of the following species that are currently federally listed as
threatened: Ringed map turtle, flatwoods salamander, pygmy sculpin,
Alabama moccasinshell, orange-nacre mucket, fine-lined pocketbook, lacy
elimia, painted rocksnail, round rocksnail; and the following species
federally listed as endangered: watercress darter, southern acornshell,
ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, upland combshell, triangular
kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, dark pigtoe, southern pigtoe,
cylindrical lioplax, flat pebblesnail, plicate rocksnail, tulotoma
snail, Alabama cave shrimp, Alabama leather flower, and Morefield's
leather flower.
The List is found in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants) and
is also available on our Internet site at https://endangered.fws.gov/
wildlife.html#Species. Amendments to the List through final rules are
published in the Federal Register.
What Information Is Considered in the Review?
A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time
of the review. A 5-year review will consider the best scientific and
commercial data that have become available since the current listing
determination or most recent status review of each species, such as:
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 to benefit the
species;
D. Threat status and trends (see five factors under heading ``How
do we determine whether a species is endangered or threatened?''); 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.
Specific Information Requested for the Acornshell and Upland Combshell
We are especially interested in information on surviving
populations of the southern acornshell and upland combshell. We
specifically request any recent information regarding the collection of
live or fresh dead shells of these species, as well as information on
their location, numbers, and/or habitats.
Specific Information Requested for the Alabama Cave Shrimp
We are especially interested in information on surviving
populations of Alabama cave shrimp. We specifically request any recent
information regarding the collection and or observation of these
animals, as well as information on their location, numbers, and/or
habitats. We are also interested in recent groundwater studies that
address hydrologic connectivity and or water quality, water levels, or
water-aging analyses conducted in the vicinity of Bobcat, Shelta,
Brazelton, Glover, and Hering caves in Madison County, Alabama.
Definitions Related to This Notice
The following definitions are provided to assist those persons who
contemplate submitting information regarding the species being
reviewed:
A. Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or
plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of
vertebrate, which interbreeds when mature.
B. Endangered means any species that is in danger of extinction
throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
C. Threatened means any species that is likely to become an
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range.
How Do We Determine Whether a Species Is Endangered or Threatened?
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act establishes that we determine whether a
species is
[[Page 34494]]
endangered or threatened based on one or more of the following five
factors:
A. The present or threatened destruction, modification, or
curtailment of its habitat or range;
B. Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes;
C. Disease or predation;
D. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
E. Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued
existence.
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that our determination be made
on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available.
What Could Happen as a Result of This Review?
If we find that there is new information concerning any of these 25
species indicating that a change in classification may be warranted, we
may propose a new rule that could do one of the following: (a)
Reclassify the species from endangered to threatened (downlist); (b)
reclassify the species from threatened to endangered (uplist); or (c)
delist the species. If we determine that a change in classification is
not warranted, then these species will remain on the List under their
current status.
Public Solicitation of New Information
We request any new information concerning the status of these 25
species. See ``What information is considered in the review?'' heading
for specific criteria. Information submitted should be supported by
documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, methods used to
gather and analyze the data, and/or copies of any pertinent
publications, reports, or letters by knowledgeable sources. Our
practice is to make comments, including names/home addresses of
respondents, available for public review. Individual respondents may
request that we withhold their home addresses from the supporting
record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There may
be circumstances in which we may withhold from the supporting record a
respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish to withhold
your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the
beginning of your comment. We will not consider anonymous comments,
however, we will make all submissions from organizations or businesses,
and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or
officials of organizations or businesses, available for public
inspection in their entirety.
Authority
This document is published under the authority of the Endangered
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: May 13, 2005.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 05-11704 Filed 6-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
