Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 22 Southeastern Species, 20866-20868 [E7-8006]

Download as PDF rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES 20866 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 80 / Thursday, April 26, 2007 / Notices adverse modification of suitable habitat across the owl’s entire range and the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms to conserve the owl. Currently, populations of northern spotted owls are declining, especially in the northern parts of the species’ range. Scientific research and monitoring have reported that northern spotted owls generally rely on older forested habitats because such habitats contain the structures and characteristics required for nesting, roosting, and foraging. Recent landscape-level studies in several southern portions of the northern spotted owl’s range suggest a mosaic of forest conditions may result in good northern spotted owl habitat, though other studies have not reported that finding. The most important threat currently facing the northern spotted owl is believed to be competition with the barred owl (Strix varia). Actions associated with addressing the barred owl threat were given the highest recovery priority, meaning the action ‘‘must be taken to prevent extinction or prevent the species from declining irreversibly in the foreseeable future.’’ Other important threats to the northern spotted owl continue to be loss of habitat quality and quantity as a result of past activities and disturbances, and ongoing and projected loss of habitat as a result of fire, logging and conversion of habitat to other uses. The draft recovery plan provides two options for recovery, and we are seeking public comment on the effectiveness of both options to achieve recovery. Both options are based on the same underlying science, and contain essentially the same recovery goal, objectives, criteria, and actions. The options differ in that option 1 identifies (i.e., maps) the specific conservation area boundaries in which most of the recovery actions and criteria will be targeted. Option 2 does not designate specific conservation area boundaries, rather it provides a ‘‘rule set’’ that will help guide the Federal land management agencies when undertaking conservation actions for the northern spotted owl. Both options rely on Federal lands to provide the primary contribution for northern spotted owl recovery. The intent of providing two options for public comment in a draft recovery plan is to promote open public discussion about how to successfully recover this species. Public Comments Solicited We will conduct four public meetings, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., to receive oral comments about this plan on: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:59 Apr 25, 2007 Jkt 211001 • May 22, 2007, Tuesday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex Conference Hall, 2110 SW Frear Street, Roseburg, OR; • May 23, 2007, Wednesday at the Redding Convention Center, 700 Auditorium Drive, Redding, CA; • May 30, 2007, Wednesday at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Ballroom, 777 Northeast Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR; and • May 31, 2007, Thursday at St. Martin’s University, Norman Worthington Conference Center, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE., Lacey, WA. Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations to participate in the public meetings are invited to contact Angela Butsch at 1– 888–812–5759 (voice) or 503–231–6263 (TTY), or angela_butsch@fws.gov. Reasonable accommodation requests should be received at least 3 business days prior to the meeting to help ensure availability; 2 weeks notice is requested for ASL/ESL interpreter needs. We are also soliciting written comments on the draft recovery plan described. All comments received by the date specified above will be considered in the finalization of this plan. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. We would specifically appreciate comments on the following topics found in both options: • The methods used to determine desired habitat percentages listed in Recovery Criterion 4. If recommendations are offered, respondents are asked to explain the scientific foundation supporting their comments; • The biological need, design and feasibility of attempting to provide connectivity between the Olympic Peninsula and central Washington northern spotted owl populations; • The biological value in identifying conservation areas in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon; • The practicality of Appendix E, which provides examples of how a salvage logging action (Recovery Action 22) may be implemented; PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • The identified boundaries of the Managed Owl Conservation Areas (option 1 only) and the Conservation Support Areas; • Methods for managing the threat posed by barred owls; and • Ways to create incentives for private land owners and managers to support recovery of the northern spotted owl. Authority: The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). Dated: April 20, 2007. David J. Wesley, Acting Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. E7–8007 Filed 4–25–07; 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 22 Southeastern Species Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service is initiating 5-year reviews of the Southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris), rice rat (Oryzomys palustris natator), Florida salt marsh vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli), Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli), Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus), Atlantic salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii taeniata), Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus), Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp (Palaemonetes cummingi), Florida bonamia (Bonamia grandiflora), pigeon wings (Clitoria fragrans), shortleaved rosemary (Conradina brevifolia), Rugel’s pawpaw (Deeringothamnus rugelii), longspurred mint (Dicerandra cornutissima), Lakela’s mint (Dicerandra immaculata), scrub buckwheat (Eriogonum longifolium var. gnaphalifolium), Telephus spurge (Euphorbia telephioides), Highlands scrub hypericum (Hypericum cumulicola), scrub lupine (Lupinus aridorum), papery whitlow-wort (Paronychia chartacea), Miccosukee gooseberry (Ribes echinellum), Cooley’s meadowrue (Thalictrum cooleyi), and Carter’s mustard (Warea carteri), under section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended (Act). The purpose of reviews conducted under this section of E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM 26APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 80 / Thursday, April 26, 2007 / Notices 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. A 5year 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 June 25, 2007. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time. ADDRESSES: Information submitted on the Southeastern beach mouse, Florida salt marsh vole, Atlantic salt marsh snake, Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp, longspurred mint, scrub lupine, Florida bonamia, scrub buckwheat, and Rugel’s pawpaw should be sent to Sandy MacPherson, Jacksonville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216, fax 904– 232–2404. Information on the Key Largo woodrat, rice rat, Florida grasshopper sparrow, Schaus swallowtail butterfly, pigeon wings, Lakela’s mint, Carter’s mustard, Highlands scrub hypericum, short-leaved rosemary, and papery whitlow-wort should be sent to Cindy Schulz, South Florida Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1339 20th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960, fax 772–562–4288. Information on the Telephus spurge and Miccosukee gooseberry should be sent to Janet Mizzi, Panama City Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1601 Balboa Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32405, fax 850–763–2177. Information on Cooley’s meadowrue should be sent to Pete Benjamin, Raleigh Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 551–F Pylon Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27636, fax 919–856–4520. 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. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy MacPherson at the Jacksonville, Florida, address above (telephone, 904/ 232–2580, ext. 110, e-mail sandy_macpherson@fws.gov); Cindy Schulz at the Vero Beach, Florida, address above (telephone, 772/562– 3909, ext. 305, e-mail cindy_schulz@fws.gov); Janet Mizzi at the Panama City, Florida, address above (telephone, 850/769–0552, ext. 247, email janet_mizzi@fws.gov); and Dale Suiter at the Raleigh, North Carolina, address above (telephone, 919/856– VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:59 Apr 25, 2007 Jkt 211001 4520, ext. 18, e-mail dale_suiter@fws.gov). Under the Act, the Service maintains a list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species at 50 CFR 17.11 (for wildlife) 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. Amendments to the List through final rules are published in the Federal Register. 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 listed as endangered: rice rat, Florida salt marsh vole, Key Largo woodrat, Florida grasshopper sparrow, Schaus swallowtail butterfly, shortleaved rosemary, Rugel’s pawpaw, longspurred mint, Lakela’s mint, Telephus spurge, Highlands scrub hypericum, scrub lupine, Cooley’s meadowrue, and Carter’s mustard. This notice also announces our active review of the following species that are currently listed as threatened: Southeastern beach mouse, Atlantic salt marsh snake, Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp, Florida bonamia, pigeon wings, scrub buckwheat, papery whitlow-wort, and Miccosukee gooseberry. The List is also available on our internet site at https:// endangered.fws.gov/ wildlife.html#Species. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: What information is considered in the review? A 5-year review will consider the best scientific and commercial data that have become available since the current PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 20867 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. 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 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. What could happen as a result of this review? If we find that there is new information concerning any of these 22 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; (b) E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM 26APN1 20868 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 80 / Thursday, April 26, 2007 / Notices reclassify the species from threatened to endangered; or (c) delist the species. If we determine that a change in classification is not warranted, then the species will remain on the List under its current status. Public Solicitation of New Information We request any new information concerning the status of any of these 22 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 and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their names and home addresses, etc., but if you wish us to consider withholding this information, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. In addition, you must present rationale for withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of exceptional, documentable circumstances, this information will be released. We will always make 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: March 29, 2007. Cynthia K. Dohner, Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. E7–8006 Filed 4–25–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES [ID 100 1220MA 214A: DBG071007] Notice of Public Meeting: Resource Advisory Council to the Boise District, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:59 Apr 25, 2007 Jkt 211001 SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Boise District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will hold a meeting as indicated below. The meeting will be held May 22, 2007, beginning at 9 a.m. and adjourning at 1 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Boise District Office located at 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho. Public comment periods will be held at intervals throughout the meeting. DATES: MJ Byrne, Public Affairs Officer and RAC Coordinator, BLM Boise District, 3948 Development Ave., Boise, ID 83705, Telephone (208) 384–3393. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The 15member Council advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the BLM, on a variety of planning and management issues associated with public land management in southwestern Idaho. The Board will formally approve the members of the new RAC Recreation Subcommittee, including one non-RAC member. Elections of officers for the 2007 fiscal year will be held. The RAC will be given a brief status report on both the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Resource Management Plan (RMP), and the Bruneau RMP. Hot Topics will be discussed by the District Manager and Field Office managers will provide highlights on activities in their offices. Agenda items and location may change due to changing circumstances, including wildlife emergencies. All meetings are open to the public. The public may present written comments to the Council. Each formal Council meeting will also have time allocated for hearing public comments. Depending on the number of persons wishing to comment and time available, the time for individual oral comments may be limited. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation, tour transportation or other reasonable accommodations, should contact the BLM Coordinator as provided above. Expedited publication is requested to give the public adequate notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [MT–922–07–1310–FI–P; NDM 93550] Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease NDM 93550 Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Per 30 U.S.C. 188(d), Upton Resources, Encore Operating, LP, Northern Energy Corporation and WHC Exploration, LLC timely filed a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease NDM 93550, Billings County, North Dakota. The lessees paid the required rental accruing from the date of termination. No leases were issued that affect these lands. The lessees agree to new lease terms for rentals and royalties of $10 per acre and 162⁄3 percent or 4 percentages above the existing competitive royalty rate. The lessees paid the $500 administration fee for the reinstatement of the lease and $163 cost for publishing this Notice. The lessees met the requirements for reinstatement of the lease per Sec. 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188). We are proposing to reinstate the lease, effective the date of termination subject to: • The original terms and conditions of the lease; • The increased rental of $10 per acre; • The increased royalty of 162⁄3 percent or 4 percentages above the existing competitive royalty rate; and • The $163 cost of publishing this Notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen L. Johnson, Chief, Fluids Adjudication Section, BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101–4669, 406– 896–5098. Dated: April 19, 2007. Karen L. Johnson, Chief, Fluids Adjudication Section. [FR Doc. E7–7942 Filed 4–25–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY–923–1310–FI; WYW147007] Dated: April 20, 2007. David Wolf, Acting, District Manager. [FR Doc. 07–2061 Filed 4–25–07; 8:45 am] Wyoming: Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease BILLING CODE 4310–GG–M Interior. PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM Bureau of Land Management, 26APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 80 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20866-20868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8006]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 
22 Southeastern Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service is initiating 5-year reviews of 
the Southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris), rice 
rat (Oryzomys palustris natator), Florida salt marsh vole (Microtus 
pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli), Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana 
smalli), Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum 
floridanus), Atlantic salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii taeniata), 
Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus), 
Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp (Palaemonetes cummingi), Florida bonamia 
(Bonamia grandiflora), pigeon wings (Clitoria fragrans), short-leaved 
rosemary (Conradina brevifolia), Rugel's pawpaw (Deeringothamnus 
rugelii), longspurred mint (Dicerandra cornutissima), Lakela's mint 
(Dicerandra immaculata), scrub buckwheat (Eriogonum longifolium var. 
gnaphalifolium), Telephus spurge (Euphorbia telephioides), Highlands 
scrub hypericum (Hypericum cumulicola), scrub lupine (Lupinus 
aridorum), papery whitlow-wort (Paronychia chartacea), Miccosukee 
gooseberry (Ribes echinellum), Cooley's meadowrue (Thalictrum cooleyi), 
and Carter's mustard (Warea carteri), under section 4(c)(2) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended 
(Act). The purpose of reviews conducted under this section of

[[Page 20867]]

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. A 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 June 25, 
2007. However, we will continue to accept new information about any 
listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Information submitted on the Southeastern beach mouse, 
Florida salt marsh vole, Atlantic salt marsh snake, Squirrel Chimney 
Cave shrimp, longspurred mint, scrub lupine, Florida bonamia, scrub 
buckwheat, and Rugel's pawpaw should be sent to Sandy MacPherson, 
Jacksonville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 
Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216, fax 
904-232-2404. Information on the Key Largo woodrat, rice rat, Florida 
grasshopper sparrow, Schaus swallowtail butterfly, pigeon wings, 
Lakela's mint, Carter's mustard, Highlands scrub hypericum, short-
leaved rosemary, and papery whitlow-wort should be sent to Cindy 
Schulz, South Florida Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 1339 20th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960, fax 772-
562-4288. Information on the Telephus spurge and Miccosukee gooseberry 
should be sent to Janet Mizzi, Panama City Field Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 1601 Balboa Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32405, fax 
850-763-2177. Information on Cooley's meadowrue should be sent to Pete 
Benjamin, Raleigh Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 551-F 
Pylon Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27636, fax 919-856-4520. 
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: Sandy MacPherson at the Jacksonville, 
Florida, address above (telephone, 904/232-2580, ext. 110, e-mail 
sandy_macpherson@fws.gov); Cindy Schulz at the Vero Beach, Florida, 
address above (telephone, 772/562-3909, ext. 305, e-mail cindy_
schulz@fws.gov); Janet Mizzi at the Panama City, Florida, address above 
(telephone, 850/769-0552, ext. 247, e-mail janet_mizzi@fws.gov); and 
Dale Suiter at the Raleigh, North Carolina, address above (telephone, 
919/856-4520, ext. 18, e-mail dale_suiter@fws.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Act, the Service maintains a list 
of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species at 50 CFR 17.11 
(for wildlife) 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. Amendments to the List through final 
rules are published in the Federal Register.
    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 listed as endangered: rice rat, Florida salt 
marsh vole, Key Largo woodrat, Florida grasshopper sparrow, Schaus 
swallowtail butterfly, short-leaved rosemary, Rugel's pawpaw, 
longspurred mint, Lakela's mint, Telephus spurge, Highlands scrub 
hypericum, scrub lupine, Cooley's meadowrue, and Carter's mustard. This 
notice also announces our active review of the following species that 
are currently listed as threatened: Southeastern beach mouse, Atlantic 
salt marsh snake, Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp, Florida bonamia, pigeon 
wings, scrub buckwheat, papery whitlow-wort, and Miccosukee gooseberry.
    The List is also available on our internet site at https://
endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species.

What information is considered in 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.

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 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.

What could happen as a result of this review?

    If we find that there is new information concerning any of these 22 
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; (b)

[[Page 20868]]

reclassify the species from threatened to endangered; or (c) delist the 
species. If we determine that a change in classification is not 
warranted, then the species will remain on the List under its current 
status.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of any of 
these 22 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 and home addresses of 
respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. 
Individual respondents may request that we withhold their names and 
home addresses, etc., but if you wish us to consider withholding this 
information, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your 
comments. In addition, you must present rationale for withholding this 
information. This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure would 
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. Unsupported 
assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of exceptional, 
documentable circumstances, this information will be released. We will 
always make 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: March 29, 2007.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. E7-8006 Filed 4-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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