Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Reviews of 18 Caribbean Species, 54061-54062 [E7-18557]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 183 / Friday, September 21, 2007 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Reviews of 18 Caribbean Species Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year reviews; Request for public comment. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are initiating 5-year reviews of 18 Caribbean species under section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The purpose of a 5-year review is to ensure that the classification of a species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is accurate. The 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 our reviews, we must receive all information you submit for our consideration on or before November 20, 2007. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time. ADDRESSES: Send information on the 18 listed species to the Field Supervisor, Caribbean Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Post Office Box 491, ´ Boqueron, PR 00622. Information we receive in response to this notice will be available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Ecological Service Office, Carr. 301, Km. 5.1, Bo. Corozo, ´ Boqueron, PR, 00622. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ´ Marelisa Rivera, Boqueron, Puerto Rico, at address above (telephone, 787/851– 7297, ext. 231). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are initiating 5-year reviews of 18 Caribbean species: The Puerto Rican broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus brunnescens), Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus venator), yellowshouldered blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus), Mona boa (Epicrates monensis monensis), Monito gecko (Sphaerodactylus micropithecus), Mona ground iguana (Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri), St. Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops), Puerto Rican crested toad (Peltophryne lemur), Aristida chaseae (no common name), pelos del diablo (Aristida portoricensis), palma de manaca (Calyptronoma rivalis), Cranichis ricartii (no common name), higuero de Sierra (Crescentia portoricensis), Eugenia woodburyana VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:17 Sep 20, 2007 Jkt 211001 (no common name), Lyonia truncata var. proctorii (no common name), palo de rosa (Ottoschulzia rhodoxylon), ´ cobana negra (Stahlia monosperma), and Vernonia proctorii (no common name) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; the Act). Of the above list of 18 species, the following 3 are currently listed as threatened: Mona boa, Puerto ´ Rican crested toad, and cobana negra; the other 15 species are currently listed as endangered. Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active review. Under the Act, we maintain a List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 50 CFR 17.12 (for plants) (collectively referred to as the list). The list is also available on our Internet site at https://endangered.fws.gov/ wildlife.html#Species. 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 we should remove any species from the List (delist), or reclassify it 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. We publish amendments to the list through final rules in the Federal Register. What Information Do We Consider in Our Review? A 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data that has 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 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54061 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. We request any new information concerning the status of any of these 18 species. Support any information you submit with 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. Definitions The following definitions will assist you as you submit information regarding the species: 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. 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 Our Review? If we find that there is new information concerning any of these 18 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); E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM 21SEN1 54062 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 183 / Friday, September 21, 2007 / Notices 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 Availability of Comments 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. Authority: We publish this document under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: September 7, 2007. Cynthia K. Dohner, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. E7–18557 Filed 9–20–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010–0142). AGENCY: SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, subpart Q, Decommissioning Activities. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. Submit written comments by October 22, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments either by fax (202) 395–6566 or e-mail OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov directly to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (1010–0142). Mail or hand carry a copy of your comments to the Department of the Interior; Minerals mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:17 Sep 20, 2007 Jkt 211001 Management Service; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; Mail Stop 4024; 381 Elden Street; Herndon, Virginia 20170–4817. If you wish to e-mail your comments to MMS, the address is: rules.comments@mms.gov. Reference Information Collection 1010–0142 in your subject line and mark your message for return receipt. Include your name and return address in your message text. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and Standards Branch, (703) 787–1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations that require the subject collection of information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 30 CFR 250, subpart Q, Decommissioning Activities. OMB Control Number: 1010–0142. Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease. Operations on the OCS must preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a manner that is consistent with the need to make such resources available to meet the Nation’s energy needs as rapidly as possible; to balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; to ensure the public a fair and equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and to preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 1332(6) states that ‘‘operations in the [O]uter Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner by well trained personnel using technology, precautions, and other techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well control, fires, spillages, physical obstructions to other users of the waters or subsoil and seabed, or other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment or to property or endanger life or health.’’ This authority and responsibility are among those delegated to the Minerals Management Service (MMS). The regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart Q, concern decommissioning of platforms, wells, and pipelines, as well as site clearance and platform removal and are the subject of this collection. The MMS uses the information collected under Subpart Q in the following ways: PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • § 250.1722(c). MMS requires notification within 5 days in the event a trawl hangs up on (or damages) a protective device (dome) over a subsea wellhead or casing stub in order to ensure that repairs are initiated as soon as possible in order to eliminate or minimize the possibility that shrimp boats will hang up on the obstruction and cause damage to their nets. It allows MMS to notify other users of the OCS of the obstruction in a timely manner, thereby reducing the risk to their equipment. • § 250.1713. MMS requires notification within 48 hours before beginning well plugging and abandonment operations in order to have the option of scheduling MMS personnel to observe operations on site to ensure they are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and approved procedures. • § 250.1725. MMS requires notification within 48 hours before beginning platform removal operations in order to have the option of scheduling MMS personnel to observe removal operations on site in the field to ensure that they are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and approved procedures for the use of explosives, removal of platform piling to 15 feet below the seafloor, proper site clearance, etc. Responses are mandatory. No questions of a ‘‘sensitive’’ nature are asked. We protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and 30 CFR 250.197, ‘‘Data and information to be made available to the public or for limited inspection.’’ Frequency: On occasion, annual; and as specified in sections. Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 218 Federal OCS oil, gas, and sulphur lessees and holders of pipeline rights-ofway. Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ‘‘Hour’’ Burden: The estimated annual ‘‘hour’’ burden for this information collection is a total of 17,991 hours. The following chart details the individual components and burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden. E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM 21SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 183 (Friday, September 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54061-54062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18557]



[[Page 54061]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Reviews of 
18 Caribbean Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year reviews; Request for public 
comment.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are 
initiating 5-year reviews of 18 Caribbean species under section 4(c)(2) 
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The purpose of 
a 5-year review is to ensure that the classification of a species as 
threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife and Plants 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 our reviews, we must 
receive all information you submit for our consideration on or before 
November 20, 2007. However, we will continue to accept new information 
about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Send information on the 18 listed species to the Field 
Supervisor, Caribbean Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Post Office Box 491, Boquer[oacute]n, PR 00622. Information we receive 
in response to this notice will be available for public inspection by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the Cabo Rojo National 
Wildlife Refuge, Ecological Service Office, Carr. 301, Km. 5.1, Bo. 
Corozo, Boquer[oacute]n, PR, 00622.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marelisa Rivera, Boquer[oacute]n, 
Puerto Rico, at address above (telephone, 787/851-7297, ext. 231).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are initiating 5-year reviews of 18 
Caribbean species: The Puerto Rican broad-winged hawk (Buteo 
platypterus brunnescens), Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter 
striatus venator), yellow-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus), 
Mona boa (Epicrates monensis monensis), Monito gecko (Sphaerodactylus 
micropithecus), Mona ground iguana (Cyclura cornuta stejnegeri), St. 
Croix ground lizard (Ameiva polops), Puerto Rican crested toad 
(Peltophryne lemur), Aristida chaseae (no common name), pelos del 
diablo (Aristida portoricensis), palma de manaca (Calyptronoma 
rivalis), Cranichis ricartii (no common name), higuero de Sierra 
(Crescentia portoricensis), Eugenia woodburyana (no common name), 
Lyonia truncata var. proctorii (no common name), palo de rosa 
(Ottoschulzia rhodoxylon), c[oacute]bana negra (Stahlia monosperma), 
and Vernonia proctorii (no common name) under the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; the Act). Of the above 
list of 18 species, the following 3 are currently listed as threatened: 
Mona boa, Puerto Rican crested toad, and c[oacute]bana negra; the other 
15 species are currently listed as endangered. Our regulations at 50 
CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing those species currently under active review.
    Under the Act, we maintain a List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife and Plants at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 50 CFR 17.12 (for 
plants) (collectively referred to as the list). The list is also 
available on our Internet site at https://endangered.fws.gov/
wildlife.html#Species. 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 we should remove any species from the List (delist), or 
reclassify it 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. We publish 
amendments to the list through final rules in the Federal Register.

What Information Do We Consider in Our Review?

    A 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data 
that has 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.

We request any new information concerning the status of any of these 18 
species. Support any information you submit with 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.

Definitions

    The following definitions will assist you as you submit information 
regarding the species:
    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.

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 Our Review?

    If we find that there is new information concerning any of these 18 
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);

[[Page 54062]]

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 Availability of Comments

    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.

    Authority: We publish this document under the authority of the 
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: September 7, 2007.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
 [FR Doc. E7-18557 Filed 9-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.