Request for Information and Recommendations on Species Proposals, Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items for Consideration at the Fifteenth Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; U.S. Approach for the Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, 56605-56608 [E8-22746]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 189 / Monday, September 29, 2008 / Notices
Goddard Laboratories Buildings,
Philadelphia, PA
Wisconsin
• Aldo Leopold Shack and Farm,
Fairfield & Lewiston Townships, WI
Proposals for Withdrawal of
Designation
• Florence Mills House, New York
City, NY
Dated: August 19, 2008.
J. Paul Loether,
Chief, National Historic Landmarks Program,
National Park Service, Washington, DC.
[FR Doc. E8–22732 Filed 9–26–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–51–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R9–IA–2008–N0223;
96300–1671–0000 FY08 R4]
Request for Information and
Recommendations on Species
Proposals, Resolutions, Decisions,
and Agenda Items for Consideration at
the Fifteenth Regular Meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora; U.S. Approach for the
Meeting of the Conference of the
Parties
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
Notice; request for information.
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ACTION:
SUMMARY: To implement the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES
or the Convention), the Parties to the
Convention meet periodically to review
what species in international trade
should be regulated and other aspects of
the implementation of CITES. The
fifteenth regular meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to CITES
(CoP15) is tentatively scheduled to be
held in late January 2010 in Doha,
Qatar. Therefore, with this notice we are
soliciting recommendations for
amending Appendices I and II of CITES
at CoP15 as well as recommendations
for resolutions, decisions, and agenda
items for discussion at CoP15. We invite
you to provide us with information and
recommendations on animal and plant
species that should be considered as
candidates for U.S. proposals to amend
CITES Appendices I and II. Such
amendments may concern the addition
of species to Appendix I or II, the
transfer of species from one Appendix
to another, or the removal of species
from Appendix II. We also invite you to
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provide us with information and
recommendations on possible
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items
for discussion at the upcoming meeting.
Finally, with this notice we also
describe the U.S. approach to
preparations for CoP15.
DATES: We will consider all information
and comments received by November
28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Send correspondence
pertaining to species proposals to the
Division of Scientific Authority, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North
Fairfax Drive, Room 110, Arlington,
Virginia 22203, or via e-mail to:
scientificauthority@fws.gov. Comments
and materials received pertaining to
species proposals will be available for
public inspection, by appointment, from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, at the Division of Scientific
Authority.
Send correspondence pertaining to
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items
to the Division of Management
Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room
212, Arlington, Virginia 22203, or via email at: CoP15@fws.gov. Comments and
materials received pertaining to
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items
will be available for public inspection,
by appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, at the Division
of Management Authority.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information pertaining to species
proposals: Rosemarie Gnam, Chief,
Division of Scientific Authority, phone
703–358–1708, fax 703–358–2276, email: scientificauthority@fws.gov.
For information pertaining to
resolutions, decisions, and agenda
items: Robert R. Gabel, Chief, Division
of Management Authority, phone
703–358–2095, fax 703–358–2298,
e-mail: CoP15@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora, hereinafter referred to
as CITES or the Convention, is an
international treaty designed to regulate
international trade in certain animal and
plant species that are now or potentially
may be threatened with extinction.
These species are listed in the
Appendices to CITES, which are
available on the CITES Secretariat’s Web
site at https://www.cites.org/eng/app/
index.shtml. Currently, 173 countries,
including the United States, are Parties
to CITES. The Convention calls for
biennial meetings of the Conference of
the Parties, which review its
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implementation, make provisions
enabling the CITES Secretariat in
Switzerland to carry out its functions,
consider amendments to the list of
species in Appendices I and II, consider
reports presented by the Secretariat, and
make recommendations for the
improved effectiveness of CITES. Any
country that is a Party to CITES may
propose amendments to Appendices I
and II, resolutions, decisions, and
agenda items for consideration by all the
Parties at the meeting.
This is our first in a series of Federal
Register notices that, together with
announced public meetings, provide
you with an opportunity to participate
in the development of the U.S.
submissions to and negotiating
positions for the fifteenth regular
meeting of the Conference of the Parties
to CITES (CoP15). Our regulations
governing this public process are found
in 50 CFR 23.87.
Announcement of the Fifteenth Meeting
of the Conference of the Parties
We hereby notify you of the
convening of CoP15, which is
tentatively scheduled to be held in late
January 2010 in Doha, Qatar.
U.S. Approach for CoP15
What are the priorities for U.S.
submissions to CoP15?
Priorities for U.S. submissions to
CoP15 continue to be consistent with
the overall objective of U.S.
participation in the Convention: to
maximize the effectiveness of the
Convention in the conservation and
sustainable use of species subject to
international trade. With this in mind,
we plan to consider the following
factors in determining what issues to
submit for inclusion in the agenda at
CoP15:
(1) Does the proposed action address
a serious wildlife trade issue that the
United States is experiencing as a range
country for species in trade? Since our
primary responsibility is the
conservation of our domestic wildlife
resources, we will give native species
highest priority. We will place
particular emphasis on terrestrial and
freshwater species with the majority of
their range in the United States and its
territories that are or may be traded in
significant numbers; marine species that
occur in U.S. waters or for which the
United States is a major exporter; and
threatened and endangered species for
which we and other Federal and State
agencies already have statutory
responsibility for protection and
recovery. We also consider CITES
listings as a proactive measure to
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monitor and manage trade in native
species to preclude the need for the
application of stricter measures, such as
listing under the Endangered Species
Act or inclusion in CITES Appendix I.
(2) Does the proposed action address
a serious wildlife trade issue for species
not native to the United States? As a
major importer of wildlife and wildlife
products, the United States has taken
responsibility, by working in close
consultation with range countries, for
addressing cases of potential overexploitation of foreign species in the
wild. In some cases, the United States
may not be a range country or a
significant trading country for a species,
but we will work closely with other
countries to conserve species being
threatened by unsustainable
exploitation for international trade. We
will consider CITES listings for species
not native to the United States if those
listings will assist in addressing cases of
known or potential over-exploitation of
foreign species in the wild, and in
preventing illegal, unregulated trade,
especially if the United States is a major
importer. These species will be
prioritized based on the extent of trade
and status of the species, and also the
role the species play in the ecosystem,
with emphasis on those species for
which a CITES listing would offer the
greatest conservation benefits to the
species, associated species, and their
habitats.
(3) Does the proposed action address
difficulties in implementing or
interpreting the Convention by the
United States as an importing or
exporting country, and would the
proposed action contribute to the
effective implementation of the
Convention by all Parties? Differences in
interpretation of the Convention by 173
Party nations can result in
inconsistencies in the way it is
implemented. In addition, wildlife trade
is dynamic and ever-changing, thus
presenting problems when established
procedures are not readily applicable to
new situations. The United States
experiences some of these problems and
inconsistencies directly through its own
imports and exports, but we also learn
of these difficulties through our
participation in various fora, such as the
CITES Standing Committee and
technical committees, and through
discussions with other countries, nongovernmental organizations, and the
CITES Secretariat. When the United
States cannot resolve these difficulties
unilaterally or through bilateral
discussions with trading partners, it
may propose resolutions or decisions,
usually in collaboration with other
Parties, or have these topics included in
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the agenda of the meeting of the
Conference of the Parties for discussion
by all of the Parties.
(4) Does the proposed action improve
implementation of the Convention by
increasing the quality of information
and expertise used to support decisions
by the Parties? With increased
complexity, sophistication, and
specialization in the biological sciences
and other disciplines, it is critical that
the CITES Parties have the best available
information upon which to base
decisions that affect the conservation of
wildlife resources. Where appropriate,
the United States will recommend
actions to ensure the availability of upto-date and accurate information to the
Parties, including through the
establishment of relationships with
relevant international bodies, including
other conventions, interjurisdictional
resource management agencies, and
international non-governmental
organizations with relevant expertise.
Request for Information and
Recommendations for Amending
Appendices I or II
One of the purposes of this notice is
to solicit information and
recommendations that will help us
identify species that the United States
should propose as candidates for
addition to, removal from, or
reclassification in the CITES
Appendices, or to identify issues
warranting attention by the CITES
specialists on zoological and botanical
nomenclature. This request is not
limited to species occurring in the
United States. Any Party may submit
proposals concerning animal or plant
species occurring in the wild anywhere
in the world. We encourage the
submission of information on species
for possible inclusion in the Appendices
if these species are subject to
international trade that may be
detrimental to the survival of the
species. We also encourage you to keep
in mind the U.S. approach to CoP15,
described above in this notice, when
determining what species the United
States should propose for possible
inclusion in the Appendices.
Complete proposals are not being
requested at this time, but are always
welcome. Rather, we are asking you to
submit convincing information
describing: (1) The status of the species,
especially trend information; (2)
conservation and management programs
for the species, including the
effectiveness of enforcement efforts; and
(3) the level of international as well as
domestic trade in the species, especially
trend information. You may also
provide any other relevant information,
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and we appreciate receiving a list of
references.
The term ‘‘species’’ is defined in
CITES as ‘‘any species, subspecies, or
geographically separate population
thereof.’’ Each species for which trade is
controlled under CITES is included in
one of three Appendices, either as a
separate listing or incorporated within
the listing of a higher taxon. The basic
requirements for inclusion of species in
the Appendices are contained in Article
II of CITES. Appendix I includes species
threatened with extinction that are or
may be affected by trade. Appendix II
includes species that, although not
necessarily now threatened with
extinction, may become so unless trade
in them is strictly controlled. Appendix
II also lists species that must be subject
to regulation in order that trade in other
CITES-listed species may be brought
under effective control. Such listings
frequently are necessary because of
difficulty inspectors have at ports of
entry or exit in distinguishing
specimens of currently or potentially
threatened species from other species.
Because Appendix III only includes
species that any Party may list
unilaterally, we are not seeking input on
possible U.S. Appendix-III listings with
this notice, and we will not consider or
respond to comments received
concerning Appendix-III listings.
CITES specifies that international
trade in any readily recognizable parts
or derivatives of animals listed in
Appendices I or II, or plants listed in
Appendix I, is subject to the same
conditions that apply to trade in the
whole organisms. With certain standard
exclusions formally approved by the
Parties, the same applies to the readily
recognizable parts and derivatives of
most plant species listed in Appendix II.
Parts and derivatives usually not
included (i.e., not regulated) for
Appendix-II plants are: Seeds, spores,
pollen (including pollinia), and
seedlings or tissue cultures obtained in
vitro and transported in sterile
containers. You may refer to the CITES
Appendices on the Secretariat’s Web
site at https://www.cites.org/eng/app/
index.shtml for further exceptions and
limitations.
In 1994, the CITES Parties adopted
criteria for inclusion of species in
Appendices I and II, which were revised
at CoP14 (in Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev.
CoP14)) in June 2007. These criteria
apply to all listing proposals and are
available from the CITES Secretariat’s
Web site at https://www.cites.org, or
upon request from the Division of
Scientific Authority at the above
address. Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev.
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CoP14) also provides a format for
complete proposals.
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What information should be submitted?
In response to this notice, to provide
us with information and
recommendations on species subject to
international trade for possible
proposals to amend the Appendices,
please include as much of the following
information as possible in your
submission:
(1) Scientific name and common
name;
(2) Population size estimates
(including references if available);
(3) Population trend information;
(4) Threats to the species (other than
trade);
(5) The level or trend of international
trade (as specific as possible but without
a request for new searches of our
records);
(6) The level or trend in total take
from the wild (as specific as reasonable);
and
(7) A short summary statement clearly
presenting the rationale for inclusion in
or removal or transfer from one of the
Appendices, including which of the
criteria in Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev.
CoP14) are met.
If you wish to submit more complete
proposals for us to consider, please
consult Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev.
CoP14) for the format for proposals and
a detailed explanation of each of the
categories. Proposals to transfer a
species from Appendix I to Appendix II,
or to remove a species from Appendix
II, must also be in accordance with the
precautionary measures described in
Annex 4 of Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev.
CoP14).
be species that qualify for CITES listing
but for which we may decide not to
submit a proposal to CoP15. Our
decision will be based on a number of
factors, including available scientific
and trade information, whether or not
the species is native to the United
States, and for foreign species, whether
or not a proposal is supported or cosponsored by at least one range country
for the species. These factors and others
are included in the U.S. approach to
CoP15, described above in this notice.
We intend to carefully consider all
factors of the U.S. approach when
deciding which species the United
States should propose for possible
inclusion in the Appendices.
We will consult range countries for
foreign species, and for species we share
with other countries, after receiving and
analyzing the information provided by
the public in response to this notice as
well as other information available to
us.
Request for Information and
Recommendations on Resolutions,
Decisions, and Agenda Items
Although we have not yet received
formal notice of the provisional agenda
for CoP15, we invite your input on
possible agenda items that the United
States could recommend for inclusion,
or on possible resolutions and decisions
of the Conference of the Parties that the
United States could submit for
consideration. Copies of the agenda and
the results of the last meeting of the
Conference of the Parties (CoP14) in The
Hague, the Netherlands, in June 2007, as
well as copies of all resolutions and
decisions of the Conference of the
Parties currently in effect, are available
What will we do with the information we from the CITES Secretariat’s Web site
(https://www.cites.org/) or the Division of
receive?
Management Authority at the above
One important function of the CITES
address.
Scientific Authority of each Party
Observers
country is monitoring the international
trade in plant and animal species, and
Article XI, paragraph 7 of CITES
ongoing scientific assessments of the
provides: ‘‘Any body or agency
impact of that trade on species. For
technically qualified in protection,
native U.S. species listed in Appendices conservation or management of wild
I and II, we monitor trade and export
fauna and flora, in the following
permits we authorize so we can prevent categories, which has informed the
over-utilization and restrict exports if
Secretariat of its desire to be represented
necessary. We also work closely with
at meetings of the Conference by
the States to ensure that species are
observers, shall be admitted unless at
correctly listed in the CITES
least one-third of the Parties present
Appendices (or not listed, if a listing is
object:
not warranted). We actively seek
(a) International agencies or bodies,
information about U.S. and foreign
either governmental or nonspecies subject to international trade.
governmental, and national
The information submitted will help us
governmental agencies and bodies; and
(b) National non-governmental
monitor trade and its impact, as well as
agencies or bodies which have been
help us decide if we should submit or
approved for this purpose by the State
co-sponsor a proposal to amend the
CITES Appendices. However, there may in which they are located.
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Once admitted, these observers shall
have the right to participate but not to
vote.’’
National agencies or organizations
within the United States must obtain
our approval to participate in CoP15,
whereas international agencies or
organizations must obtain approval
directly from the CITES Secretariat. We
will publish information in a future
Federal Register notice on how to
request approved observer status. A fact
sheet on the process is posted on our
Web site at: https://www.fws.gov/
international/pdf/ob.pdf.
Future Actions
The next regular meeting of the
Conference of the Parties (CoP15) is
tentatively scheduled to be held in late
January 2010 in Doha, Qatar. We have
developed a tentative U.S. schedule to
prepare for that meeting. The United
States must submit any proposals to
amend Appendix I or II, or any draft
resolutions, decisions, and/or agenda
items for discussion at CoP15, to the
CITES Secretariat 150 days prior to the
start of the meeting. In order to
accommodate this deadline, we plan to
publish a Federal Register notice
approximately 10 months prior to
CoP15 announcing tentative species
proposals, draft resolutions, draft
decisions, and agenda items to be
submitted by the United States, and to
solicit further information and
comments on them.
Approximately 4 months prior to
CoP15, we will post on our Web site an
announcement of the species proposals,
draft resolutions, draft decisions, and
agenda items submitted by the United
States to the CITES Secretariat for
consideration at CoP15. The deadline
for submission of the proposals, draft
resolutions, draft decisions, and agenda
items to the Secretariat will be 150 days
prior to the start of the meeting
(tentatively late August 2009).
Through a series of additional notices
and Web site postings in advance of
CoP15, we will inform you about
preliminary negotiating positions on
resolutions, decisions, and amendments
to the Appendices proposed by other
Parties for consideration at CoP15, and
about how to obtain observer status
from us. We will also publish
announcements of public meetings
tentatively to be held approximately 9
months prior to CoP15, and
approximately 2 months prior to CoP15,
to receive public input on our positions
regarding CoP15 issues. The procedures
for developing U.S. documents and
negotiating positions for a meeting of
the Conference of the Parties to CITES
are outlined in 50 CFR 23.87. As noted,
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we may modify or suspend the
procedures outlined there if they would
interfere with the timely or appropriate
development of documents for
submission to the CoP and U.S.
negotiating positions.
Author: The primary author of this
notice is Anne St. John, Division of
Management Authority, under the
authority of the U.S. Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: September 10, 2008.
Pamela A. Matthes,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. E8–22746 Filed 9–26–08; 8:45 am]
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Maher at the U.S. Geological Survey
(703–648–6283, amaher@usgs.gov).
Registrations are due by October 10.
While the meeting will be open to the
public, seating may be limited due to
room capacity.
Members of the public who cannot
attend in person may listen to the
meeting via conference call/web
conference. Please register in advance
for the conference call by contacting
Arista Maher at the U.S. Geological
Survey (703–648–6283,
amaher@usgs.gov). Registrations are due
by October 10. Instructions will be
provided. The number of participants
may be limited by conference line
capacity.
The meeting will be held on
October 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
on October 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Mahoney, U.S. Geological Survey (206–
220–4621).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Meetings
of the National Geospatial Advisory
Committee are open to the public.
Additional information about the NGAC
and the meeting are available at
https://www.fgdc.gov/ngac.
DATES:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. Geological Survey
Announcement of National Geospatial
Advisory Committee Meeting
U.S. Geological Survey,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The National Geospatial
Advisory Committee (NGAC) will meet
on October 15–16, 2008 at the National
Conservation Training Center, 698
Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV
25443. The meeting will be held in
Room #161 Instructional West.
The NGAC, which is composed of
representatives from governmental,
private sector, non-profit, and academic
organizations, has been established to
advise the Chair of the Federal
Geographic Data Committee on
management of Federal geospatial
programs, the development of the
National Spatial Data Infrastructure, and
the implementation of Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular A–16. Topics to be addressed at
the meeting include:
—Changing Landscape White Paper.
—Geospatial Transition Paper.
—National Land Parcel Data Study.
—Imagery for the Nation Update.
—Geospatial Line of Business Update.
—NGAC Action Plan.
The meeting will include two
opportunities for public comment.
During the afternoon of October 15,
comments specific to National Land
Parcel Data may be offered. In addition,
there will be a general public comment
period during the morning of October
16. Comments may also be submitted to
the NGAC in writing.
Members of the public who wish to
attend the meeting must register in
advance for clearance into the meeting
site. Please register by contacting Arista
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16:48 Sep 26, 2008
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Dated: September 19, 2008.
Ivan DeLoatch,
Staff Director, Federal Geographic Data
Committee.
[FR Doc. E8–22761 Filed 9–26–08; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[F–14907–K, F–14907–L, F–14907–N; AK–
964–1410–KC–P]
Alaska Native Claims Selection
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of decision approving
lands for conveyance.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: As required by 43 CFR
2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an
appealable decision approving lands for
conveyance pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act will be
issued to NANA Regional Corporation,
Inc., Successor in Interest to
Napaaktukmeut Corporation. The lands
are in the vicinity of Noatak, Alaska,
and are located in:
Kateel River Meridian, Alaska
T. 23 N., R. 18 W.,
Secs. 7 and 8;
Secs. 16 to 21, inclusive;
Secs. 28, 29, and 30.
Containing approximately 5,191 acres.
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T. 26 N., R. 19 W.,
Secs. 3 to 10, inclusive;
Secs. 15 to 20, inclusive;
Secs. 21 and 22.
Containing approximately 10,111 acres.
T. 23 N., R. 20 W.,
Secs. 5 to 8, inclusive;
Secs. 18, 19, 30, and 31.
Containing approximately 4,600 acres.
T. 24 N., R. 20 W.,
Secs. 31, 32, and 33.
Containing approximately 1,787 acres.
T. 25 N., R. 20 W.,
Secs. 25 and 36.
Containing approximately 1,239 acres.
T. 26 N., R. 20 W.,
Secs. 1 and 2.
Containing approximately 1,246 acres.
T. 24 N., R. 21 W.,
Secs. 35 and 36.
Containing approximately 700 acres.
Aggregating approximately 24,874 acres.
The subsurface estate in these lands
will be conveyed to NANA Regional
Corporation, Inc. when the surface
estate is conveyed to NANA Regional
Corporation, Inc., Successor in Interest
to Napaaktukmeut Corporation. Notice
of the decision will also be published
four times in the Arctic Sounder.
The time limits for filing an
appeal are:
1. Any party claiming a property
interest which is adversely affected by
the decision shall have until October 29,
2008 to file an appeal.
2. Parties receiving service of the
decision by certified mail shall have 30
days from the date of receipt to file an
appeal.
Parties who do not file an appeal in
accordance with the requirements of 43
CFR part 4, subpart E, shall be deemed
to have waived their rights.
DATES:
A copy of the decision may
be obtained from: Bureau of Land
Management, Alaska State Office, 222
West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage,
Alaska 99513–7504.
ADDRESSES:
The
Bureau of Land Management by phone
at 907–271–5960, or by e-mail at
ak.blm.conveyance@ak.blm.gov. Persons
who use a telecommunication device
(TTD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
8330, 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, to contact the Bureau of Land
Management.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Bilancione,
Land Transfer Resolution Specialist, Land
Transfer Adjudication I.
[FR Doc. E8–22768 Filed 9–26–08; 8:45 am]
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[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 189 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56605-56608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22746]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R9-IA-2008-N0223; 96300-1671-0000 FY08 R4]
Request for Information and Recommendations on Species Proposals,
Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items for Consideration at the
Fifteenth Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora; U.S. Approach for the Meeting of the Conference of the
Parties
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice; request for information.
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SUMMARY: To implement the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or the Convention),
the Parties to the Convention meet periodically to review what species
in international trade should be regulated and other aspects of the
implementation of CITES. The fifteenth regular meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP15) is tentatively scheduled to
be held in late January 2010 in Doha, Qatar. Therefore, with this
notice we are soliciting recommendations for amending Appendices I and
II of CITES at CoP15 as well as recommendations for resolutions,
decisions, and agenda items for discussion at CoP15. We invite you to
provide us with information and recommendations on animal and plant
species that should be considered as candidates for U.S. proposals to
amend CITES Appendices I and II. Such amendments may concern the
addition of species to Appendix I or II, the transfer of species from
one Appendix to another, or the removal of species from Appendix II. We
also invite you to provide us with information and recommendations on
possible resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for discussion at the
upcoming meeting. Finally, with this notice we also describe the U.S.
approach to preparations for CoP15.
DATES: We will consider all information and comments received by
November 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Send correspondence pertaining to species proposals to the
Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401
North Fairfax Drive, Room 110, Arlington, Virginia 22203, or via e-mail
to: scientificauthority@fws.gov. Comments and materials received
pertaining to species proposals will be available for public
inspection, by appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, at the Division of Scientific Authority.
Send correspondence pertaining to resolutions, decisions, and
agenda items to the Division of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 212, Arlington,
Virginia 22203, or via e-mail at: CoP15@fws.gov. Comments and materials
received pertaining to resolutions, decisions, and agenda items will be
available for public inspection, by appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, at the Division of Management Authority.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information pertaining to species
proposals: Rosemarie Gnam, Chief, Division of Scientific Authority,
phone 703-358-1708, fax 703-358-2276, e-mail:
scientificauthority@fws.gov.
For information pertaining to resolutions, decisions, and agenda
items: Robert R. Gabel, Chief, Division of Management Authority, phone
703-358-2095, fax 703-358-2298, e-mail: CoP15@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora, hereinafter referred to as CITES or the Convention, is
an international treaty designed to regulate international trade in
certain animal and plant species that are now or potentially may be
threatened with extinction. These species are listed in the Appendices
to CITES, which are available on the CITES Secretariat's Web site at
https://www.cites.org/eng/app/index.shtml. Currently, 173 countries,
including the United States, are Parties to CITES. The Convention calls
for biennial meetings of the Conference of the Parties, which review
its implementation, make provisions enabling the CITES Secretariat in
Switzerland to carry out its functions, consider amendments to the list
of species in Appendices I and II, consider reports presented by the
Secretariat, and make recommendations for the improved effectiveness of
CITES. Any country that is a Party to CITES may propose amendments to
Appendices I and II, resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for
consideration by all the Parties at the meeting.
This is our first in a series of Federal Register notices that,
together with announced public meetings, provide you with an
opportunity to participate in the development of the U.S. submissions
to and negotiating positions for the fifteenth regular meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP15). Our regulations governing
this public process are found in 50 CFR 23.87.
Announcement of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
We hereby notify you of the convening of CoP15, which is
tentatively scheduled to be held in late January 2010 in Doha, Qatar.
U.S. Approach for CoP15
What are the priorities for U.S. submissions to CoP15?
Priorities for U.S. submissions to CoP15 continue to be consistent
with the overall objective of U.S. participation in the Convention: to
maximize the effectiveness of the Convention in the conservation and
sustainable use of species subject to international trade. With this in
mind, we plan to consider the following factors in determining what
issues to submit for inclusion in the agenda at CoP15:
(1) Does the proposed action address a serious wildlife trade issue
that the United States is experiencing as a range country for species
in trade? Since our primary responsibility is the conservation of our
domestic wildlife resources, we will give native species highest
priority. We will place particular emphasis on terrestrial and
freshwater species with the majority of their range in the United
States and its territories that are or may be traded in significant
numbers; marine species that occur in U.S. waters or for which the
United States is a major exporter; and threatened and endangered
species for which we and other Federal and State agencies already have
statutory responsibility for protection and recovery. We also consider
CITES listings as a proactive measure to
[[Page 56606]]
monitor and manage trade in native species to preclude the need for the
application of stricter measures, such as listing under the Endangered
Species Act or inclusion in CITES Appendix I.
(2) Does the proposed action address a serious wildlife trade issue
for species not native to the United States? As a major importer of
wildlife and wildlife products, the United States has taken
responsibility, by working in close consultation with range countries,
for addressing cases of potential over-exploitation of foreign species
in the wild. In some cases, the United States may not be a range
country or a significant trading country for a species, but we will
work closely with other countries to conserve species being threatened
by unsustainable exploitation for international trade. We will consider
CITES listings for species not native to the United States if those
listings will assist in addressing cases of known or potential over-
exploitation of foreign species in the wild, and in preventing illegal,
unregulated trade, especially if the United States is a major importer.
These species will be prioritized based on the extent of trade and
status of the species, and also the role the species play in the
ecosystem, with emphasis on those species for which a CITES listing
would offer the greatest conservation benefits to the species,
associated species, and their habitats.
(3) Does the proposed action address difficulties in implementing
or interpreting the Convention by the United States as an importing or
exporting country, and would the proposed action contribute to the
effective implementation of the Convention by all Parties? Differences
in interpretation of the Convention by 173 Party nations can result in
inconsistencies in the way it is implemented. In addition, wildlife
trade is dynamic and ever-changing, thus presenting problems when
established procedures are not readily applicable to new situations.
The United States experiences some of these problems and
inconsistencies directly through its own imports and exports, but we
also learn of these difficulties through our participation in various
fora, such as the CITES Standing Committee and technical committees,
and through discussions with other countries, non-governmental
organizations, and the CITES Secretariat. When the United States cannot
resolve these difficulties unilaterally or through bilateral
discussions with trading partners, it may propose resolutions or
decisions, usually in collaboration with other Parties, or have these
topics included in the agenda of the meeting of the Conference of the
Parties for discussion by all of the Parties.
(4) Does the proposed action improve implementation of the
Convention by increasing the quality of information and expertise used
to support decisions by the Parties? With increased complexity,
sophistication, and specialization in the biological sciences and other
disciplines, it is critical that the CITES Parties have the best
available information upon which to base decisions that affect the
conservation of wildlife resources. Where appropriate, the United
States will recommend actions to ensure the availability of up-to-date
and accurate information to the Parties, including through the
establishment of relationships with relevant international bodies,
including other conventions, interjurisdictional resource management
agencies, and international non-governmental organizations with
relevant expertise.
Request for Information and Recommendations for Amending Appendices I
or II
One of the purposes of this notice is to solicit information and
recommendations that will help us identify species that the United
States should propose as candidates for addition to, removal from, or
reclassification in the CITES Appendices, or to identify issues
warranting attention by the CITES specialists on zoological and
botanical nomenclature. This request is not limited to species
occurring in the United States. Any Party may submit proposals
concerning animal or plant species occurring in the wild anywhere in
the world. We encourage the submission of information on species for
possible inclusion in the Appendices if these species are subject to
international trade that may be detrimental to the survival of the
species. We also encourage you to keep in mind the U.S. approach to
CoP15, described above in this notice, when determining what species
the United States should propose for possible inclusion in the
Appendices.
Complete proposals are not being requested at this time, but are
always welcome. Rather, we are asking you to submit convincing
information describing: (1) The status of the species, especially trend
information; (2) conservation and management programs for the species,
including the effectiveness of enforcement efforts; and (3) the level
of international as well as domestic trade in the species, especially
trend information. You may also provide any other relevant information,
and we appreciate receiving a list of references.
The term ``species'' is defined in CITES as ``any species,
subspecies, or geographically separate population thereof.'' Each
species for which trade is controlled under CITES is included in one of
three Appendices, either as a separate listing or incorporated within
the listing of a higher taxon. The basic requirements for inclusion of
species in the Appendices are contained in Article II of CITES.
Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction that are or may
be affected by trade. Appendix II includes species that, although not
necessarily now threatened with extinction, may become so unless trade
in them is strictly controlled. Appendix II also lists species that
must be subject to regulation in order that trade in other CITES-listed
species may be brought under effective control. Such listings
frequently are necessary because of difficulty inspectors have at ports
of entry or exit in distinguishing specimens of currently or
potentially threatened species from other species. Because Appendix III
only includes species that any Party may list unilaterally, we are not
seeking input on possible U.S. Appendix-III listings with this notice,
and we will not consider or respond to comments received concerning
Appendix-III listings.
CITES specifies that international trade in any readily
recognizable parts or derivatives of animals listed in Appendices I or
II, or plants listed in Appendix I, is subject to the same conditions
that apply to trade in the whole organisms. With certain standard
exclusions formally approved by the Parties, the same applies to the
readily recognizable parts and derivatives of most plant species listed
in Appendix II. Parts and derivatives usually not included (i.e., not
regulated) for Appendix-II plants are: Seeds, spores, pollen (including
pollinia), and seedlings or tissue cultures obtained in vitro and
transported in sterile containers. You may refer to the CITES
Appendices on the Secretariat's Web site at https://www.cites.org/eng/
app/index.shtml for further exceptions and limitations.
In 1994, the CITES Parties adopted criteria for inclusion of
species in Appendices I and II, which were revised at CoP14 (in
Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP14)) in June 2007. These criteria apply
to all listing proposals and are available from the CITES Secretariat's
Web site at https://www.cites.org, or upon request from the Division of
Scientific Authority at the above address. Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev.
[[Page 56607]]
CoP14) also provides a format for complete proposals.
What information should be submitted?
In response to this notice, to provide us with information and
recommendations on species subject to international trade for possible
proposals to amend the Appendices, please include as much of the
following information as possible in your submission:
(1) Scientific name and common name;
(2) Population size estimates (including references if available);
(3) Population trend information;
(4) Threats to the species (other than trade);
(5) The level or trend of international trade (as specific as
possible but without a request for new searches of our records);
(6) The level or trend in total take from the wild (as specific as
reasonable); and
(7) A short summary statement clearly presenting the rationale for
inclusion in or removal or transfer from one of the Appendices,
including which of the criteria in Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP14)
are met.
If you wish to submit more complete proposals for us to consider,
please consult Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP14) for the format for
proposals and a detailed explanation of each of the categories.
Proposals to transfer a species from Appendix I to Appendix II, or to
remove a species from Appendix II, must also be in accordance with the
precautionary measures described in Annex 4 of Resolution Conf. 9.24
(Rev. CoP14).
What will we do with the information we receive?
One important function of the CITES Scientific Authority of each
Party country is monitoring the international trade in plant and animal
species, and ongoing scientific assessments of the impact of that trade
on species. For native U.S. species listed in Appendices I and II, we
monitor trade and export permits we authorize so we can prevent over-
utilization and restrict exports if necessary. We also work closely
with the States to ensure that species are correctly listed in the
CITES Appendices (or not listed, if a listing is not warranted). We
actively seek information about U.S. and foreign species subject to
international trade. The information submitted will help us monitor
trade and its impact, as well as help us decide if we should submit or
co-sponsor a proposal to amend the CITES Appendices. However, there may
be species that qualify for CITES listing but for which we may decide
not to submit a proposal to CoP15. Our decision will be based on a
number of factors, including available scientific and trade
information, whether or not the species is native to the United States,
and for foreign species, whether or not a proposal is supported or co-
sponsored by at least one range country for the species. These factors
and others are included in the U.S. approach to CoP15, described above
in this notice. We intend to carefully consider all factors of the U.S.
approach when deciding which species the United States should propose
for possible inclusion in the Appendices.
We will consult range countries for foreign species, and for
species we share with other countries, after receiving and analyzing
the information provided by the public in response to this notice as
well as other information available to us.
Request for Information and Recommendations on Resolutions, Decisions,
and Agenda Items
Although we have not yet received formal notice of the provisional
agenda for CoP15, we invite your input on possible agenda items that
the United States could recommend for inclusion, or on possible
resolutions and decisions of the Conference of the Parties that the
United States could submit for consideration. Copies of the agenda and
the results of the last meeting of the Conference of the Parties
(CoP14) in The Hague, the Netherlands, in June 2007, as well as copies
of all resolutions and decisions of the Conference of the Parties
currently in effect, are available from the CITES Secretariat's Web
site (https://www.cites.org/) or the Division of Management Authority at
the above address.
Observers
Article XI, paragraph 7 of CITES provides: ``Any body or agency
technically qualified in protection, conservation or management of wild
fauna and flora, in the following categories, which has informed the
Secretariat of its desire to be represented at meetings of the
Conference by observers, shall be admitted unless at least one-third of
the Parties present object:
(a) International agencies or bodies, either governmental or non-
governmental, and national governmental agencies and bodies; and
(b) National non-governmental agencies or bodies which have been
approved for this purpose by the State in which they are located.
Once admitted, these observers shall have the right to participate but
not to vote.''
National agencies or organizations within the United States must
obtain our approval to participate in CoP15, whereas international
agencies or organizations must obtain approval directly from the CITES
Secretariat. We will publish information in a future Federal Register
notice on how to request approved observer status. A fact sheet on the
process is posted on our Web site at: https://www.fws.gov/international/
pdf/ob.pdf.
Future Actions
The next regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP15)
is tentatively scheduled to be held in late January 2010 in Doha,
Qatar. We have developed a tentative U.S. schedule to prepare for that
meeting. The United States must submit any proposals to amend Appendix
I or II, or any draft resolutions, decisions, and/or agenda items for
discussion at CoP15, to the CITES Secretariat 150 days prior to the
start of the meeting. In order to accommodate this deadline, we plan to
publish a Federal Register notice approximately 10 months prior to
CoP15 announcing tentative species proposals, draft resolutions, draft
decisions, and agenda items to be submitted by the United States, and
to solicit further information and comments on them.
Approximately 4 months prior to CoP15, we will post on our Web site
an announcement of the species proposals, draft resolutions, draft
decisions, and agenda items submitted by the United States to the CITES
Secretariat for consideration at CoP15. The deadline for submission of
the proposals, draft resolutions, draft decisions, and agenda items to
the Secretariat will be 150 days prior to the start of the meeting
(tentatively late August 2009).
Through a series of additional notices and Web site postings in
advance of CoP15, we will inform you about preliminary negotiating
positions on resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the Appendices
proposed by other Parties for consideration at CoP15, and about how to
obtain observer status from us. We will also publish announcements of
public meetings tentatively to be held approximately 9 months prior to
CoP15, and approximately 2 months prior to CoP15, to receive public
input on our positions regarding CoP15 issues. The procedures for
developing U.S. documents and negotiating positions for a meeting of
the Conference of the Parties to CITES are outlined in 50 CFR 23.87. As
noted,
[[Page 56608]]
we may modify or suspend the procedures outlined there if they would
interfere with the timely or appropriate development of documents for
submission to the CoP and U.S. negotiating positions.
Author: The primary author of this notice is Anne St. John,
Division of Management Authority, under the authority of the U.S.
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: September 10, 2008.
Pamela A. Matthes,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. E8-22746 Filed 9-26-08; 8:45 am]
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