Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Humboldt Marten as Endangered or Threatened, 35509-35511 [2014-14513]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 120 / Monday, June 23, 2014 / Proposed Rules
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[FR Doc. 2014–14590 Filed 6–20–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2014–0023;
4500030113]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a
Petition To List the Humboldt Marten
as Endangered or Threatened
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of scoping
and request for information.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), are gathering
information to prepare a 12-month
finding under the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (Act), on a
petition to list the current classification
of Humboldt marten (Martes caurina
humboldtensis) as an endangered or
threatened species. We provide this
notice to summarize the uncertainty
regarding the subspecies taxonomic
classification (based on current genetics
information) and, therefore, our intent
to conduct an evaluation of a potential
distinct population segment (DPS) of
martens in coastal northern California
and coastal Oregon relative to the full
species classification level. We will
submit a 12-month finding on the
petition to the Federal Register by April
1, 2015.
DATES: We request that we receive
information on or before August 7, 2014.
Information submitted electronically
using the Federal eRulemaking Portal
(see ADDRESSES section, below) must be
received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on
the closing date.
ADDRESSES: You may submit
information by one of the following
methods:
(1) Electronically: Go to the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. In the Search box,
enter FWS–R8–ES–2014–0023. You may
submit information by clicking on
‘‘Comment Now!’’
(2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail
or hand delivery to: Public Comments
Processing, Attn: FWS–R8–ES–2014–
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SUMMARY:
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0023; Division of Policy and Directives
Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS
2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
We request that you send information
only by the methods described above.
We will post all information we receive
on https://www.regulations.gov. This
generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide us
(see the Information Requested section
below for more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bruce Bingham, Field Supervisor, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Arcata Fish
and Wildlife Office, 1655 Heindon
Road, Arcata, CA 95521; telephone 707–
822–7201; or facsimile 707–822–8411.
Persons who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 800–877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In a petition dated September 28,
2010 (Center for Biological Diversity
(CBD) and Environmental Protection
Information Center (EPIC) 2010), the
petitioners requested that we consider
for listing the (then-classified)
subspecies Humboldt marten (Martes
americana humboldtensis), or the (nowrecognized) subspecies Humboldt
marten (M. caurina humboldtensis), or
the Humboldt marten Distinct
Population Segment (DPS) of the Pacific
marten (M. caurina). The petitioners
further stipulated that, based on recent
genetic analyses indicating that
populations of marten from coastal
Oregon are more closely related to M. a.
humboldtensis than to M. a. caurina in
the Cascades of Oregon (citing Dawson
2008, Slauson et al. 2009), the range of
the subspecies or DPS of the Humboldt
marten should be expanded to include
coastal Oregon populations. On January
12, 2012, we published a substantial 90day finding on the petition to list the
Humboldt marten as an endangered or
threatened species under the Act (77 FR
1900). For purposes of the 90-day
finding, the common name Humboldt
marten referred to the then-classified
American marten (M. americana)
populations in coastal northern
California and coastal Oregon.
The American marten (Martes
americana) was originally described as
a single species by Turton (1806; entire),
based on specimens from eastern North
America. In 1890, Merriam (1890;
entire) considered a new species, M.
caurina, as those martens found west of
the Rocky Mountains. In 1926, the
Humboldt [Pine] marten (M. c.
humboldtensis) was described as a
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subspecies of M. caurina (Grinnel and
Dixon 1926, entire); historically, this
subspecies was distributed throughout
the coastal, fog-influenced coniferous
forests of northern California from
northwestern Sonoma County north to
the Oregon border (Grinnel and Dixon
1926, entire). In 1953, Wright (1953;
entire) described one species, the
American marten (M. americana),
which included as subspecies both the
Humboldt [Pine] marten subspecies (M.
a. humboldtensis), and the former
western marten species (M. caurina),
classified as M. a. caurina.
As noted above, at the time of our 90day finding (77 FR 1900; January 12,
2012), the Humboldt marten was
classified as Martes americana
humboldtensis. Subsequently, Dawson
and Cook (2012, entire) split the
American marten, recognizing the
Pacific marten (M. caurina) for all
martens occurring west of the Rocky
Mountain crest, based on genetic and
morphological differences. While this
split changed the species-level name of
all martens occurring west of the Rocky
Mountain crest from M. americana to M.
caurina, subspecies epithets were not
changed. Therefore, the current
classification of the Humboldt marten in
coastal northern California is M. c.
humboldtensis, and the marten
populations occurring in adjacent
coastal Oregon are M. c. caurina. In
addition, as currently recognized,
populations of martens in the Oregon
Cascades northward through the State of
Washington and into British Columbia,
Canada, are also M. c. caurina.
Ongoing genetic research indicates
uncertainty in the Pacific marten
subspecies delineations in California
and Oregon. Specifically, the best
available data indicate that the Martes
caurina humboldtensis population in
coastal northern California (Humboldt,
Siskiyou, and Del Norte Counties) and
the two M. c. caurina populations in
coastal Oregon (Curry, Coos, coastal
portion of Douglas, coastal portion of
Lane, Lincoln, and Tillamook Counties)
may be a single evolutionary unit
(clade) (Slauson et al. 2009, p. 1,340;
Schwartz et al., in prep) (available for
review at https://www.regulations.gov,
Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2014–0023).
Although questions regarding the
taxonomy of marten subspecies in
northern California and Oregon are not
new (i.e., both the petition we received
(CBD and EPIC 2010) and our 90-day
finding (January 12, 2012; 77 FR 1900)
identified ongoing genetic research and
taxonomic uncertainty), the best
available information indicates that the
original designation of two separate
marten subspecies occurring in coastal
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 120 / Monday, June 23, 2014 / Proposed Rules
northern California and coastal Oregon
may be invalid. However, there is
currently insufficient information to
conclude with reasonable certainty that
coastal Oregon populations of Pacific
marten should be classified as M. c.
humboldtensis. Such a conclusion is
confounded by small sample sizes and
lack of corroborating information (e.g.,
similar morphological or physiological
traits among the two clades) that would
lend further support to a conclusion that
these two groups should be considered
the same subspecies.
According to section 3(16) of the Act,
we may consider for listing any of three
categories of vertebrate animals: A
species, subspecies, or distinct
population segment (DPS; see the
Service’s 1996 Policy Regarding the
Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate
Population Segments under the
Endangered Species Act at 61 FR 4722).
We refer to each of these categories as
a potential ‘‘listable entity.’’ We have
been petitioned to list collectively two
groups of the Pacific marten (two
populations in Oregon and one in
California) that are currently recognized
as belonging to two separate subspecies
(as described above). To ensure we are
evaluating the most accurate listable
entity based on the best scientific and
commercial data currently available
(including unpublished genetics
information), and to ensure we are being
fully responsive to the petition (CBD
and EPIC 2010), we consider it
reasonable that a coastal distinct
population segment (DPS) of the Pacific
marten constitute the listable entity for
our 12-month status review. As such,
we consider this DPS to include the
currently recognized Martes caurina
humboldtensis (i.e., Humboldt marten)
and the coastal populations of M.
caurina caurina in Oregon (i.e., Oregon
Coast Range group). We believe this
entity is reasonable for consideration at
this time given:
(1) The best available data (e.g., new
genetics information, similar habitat
usage) suggest that the coastal northern
California marten population and the
coastal Oregon marten populations may
be a single evolutionary entity as
opposed to two separate entities.
(2) Existing genetics information
suggests that subspecies-level taxonomy
of M. c. humboldtensis, M. c. caurina,
and possibly other subspecies of the
Pacific marten as currently classified
may be inaccurate.
(3) The DPS policy states that the
population segment under consideration
must be evaluated for discreteness and
significance in relation to the remainder
of the taxon to which it belongs.
Ordinarily, in the present case we
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would evaluate the marten populations
relative to the subspecies to which they
belong, but the populations in question
currently represent two separate
subspecies and there is uncertainty as to
the legitimacy of those subspecies
classifications, rendering such an
evaluation invalid.
(4) Uncertainty in the subspecies-level
taxonomy of Pacific marten logically
necessitates that we elevate our
evaluation of the DPS relative to the
Pacific marten at the full species-level.
In other words, we would apply the
criteria for evaluating a coastal DPS of
the Pacific marten relative to the full
species Pacific marten (Martes caurina)
as a whole.
(5) The DPS policy states that ‘‘In all
cases, the organisms in a population are
members of a single species or lesser
taxon.’’ Therefore, given (1) through (4)
above, we think that an evaluation at the
species level is appropriate.
Under the DPS policy, two basic
elements are considered in the decision
regarding the establishment of a
population of a vertebrate species as a
possible DPS. The question as to
whether a population or group of
populations qualifies as a DPS requires
a finding that the population is both: (1)
Discrete in relation to the remainder of
the taxon to which it belongs, and (2)
biologically and ecologically significant
to the taxon to which it belongs. If the
population meets the first two criteria
under the DPS policy, we then proceed
to the third element in the process,
which is to evaluate the population
segment’s conservation status in relation
to the Act’s standards for listing as an
endangered or threatened species.
Under the DPS policy, a population
segment of a vertebrate taxon may be
considered discrete if it satisfies either
one of the following conditions:
(1) It is markedly separated from other
populations of the same taxon as a
consequence of physical, physiological,
ecological, or behavioral factors.
Quantitative measures of genetic or
morphological discontinuity may
provide evidence of this separation.
(2) It is delimited by international
governmental boundaries within which
differences in control of exploitation,
management of habitat, conservation
status, or regulatory mechanisms exist
that are significant in light of section
4(a)(1)(D) of the Act. As the marten
populations in question here do not
transcend an international boundary,
this criterion does not apply.
If we determine that a vertebrate
population segment is discrete under
one or more of the conditions described
in our DPS policy, then we consider its
biological and ecological significance to
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the larger taxon to which it belongs.
Because precise circumstances are likely
to vary considerably from case to case,
the DPS policy does not describe all the
classes of information that might be
used in determining the biological and
ecological importance of a discrete
population. However, the DPS policy
describes four possible classes of
information that provide evidence of a
population segment’s biological and
ecological importance to the taxon to
which it belongs. This consideration of
the population segment’s significance
may include, but is not limited to, the
following:
(1) Persistence of the discrete
population segment in an ecological
setting unusual or unique to the taxon;
(2) Evidence that loss of the discrete
population segment would result in a
significant gap in the range of a taxon;
(3) Evidence that the discrete
population segment represents the only
surviving natural occurrence of a taxon
that may be more abundant elsewhere as
an introduced population outside its
historical range; or
(4) Evidence that the discrete
population segment differs markedly
from other populations of the species in
its genetic characteristics.
A population segment needs to satisfy
only one of these conditions to be
considered significant. Furthermore,
other information may be used as
appropriate to provide evidence for
significance.
As indicated above, we anticipate
concluding an evaluation of the coastal
DPS of Pacific marten and submitting a
12-month finding to the Federal
Register by April 1, 2015. We appreciate
any information regarding our
consideration of the coastal northern
California and coastal Oregon
populations of Pacific marten as a single
listable entity (see Information
Requested).
Information Requested
We will accept written information
during this 45-day scoping period on
our future 12-month finding evaluation
of the putative coastal DPS of Pacific
marten. We will consider information
from all interested parties. We intend
that any final action resulting from our
evaluation be as accurate as possible
and based on the best available
scientific and commercial data.
We are interested in the following
information for Pacific martens,
specifically Humboldt martens in
coastal northern California and coastal
Oregon populations of Pacific marten:
(1) Habitat requirements for feeding,
breeding, and sheltering.
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(2) Genetics and taxonomy,
especially:
(a) Information (e.g., morphological,
genetic, physiological, ecological,
behavioral) supporting or contesting
current subspecies taxonomy of Martes
caurina in coastal northern California
and Oregon.
(b) Information supporting or
contesting the validity of the historical
geographic boundaries of the Pacific
marten subspecies, Martes caurina
caurina.
(3) Information to inform a DPS
designation, especially:
(a) Information supporting or
contesting the combining of the
population of Pacific martens in
northwest California with the coastal
Oregon populations as a single listable
entity under our DPS policy.
(b) Information to inform our
evaluation as to whether martens in
coastal northern California and coastal
Oregon do or do not meet the criteria for
discreteness and significance under our
DPS policy.
(4) The factors that are the basis for
making a listing determination for a
species, subspecies, or DPS under
section 4(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.), which are:
(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.
(5) Exposure to toxicants, including
anticoagulant rodenticides, including
information related to:
(a) Scope of exposure within coastal
northern California and coastal Oregon;
(b) Severity of exposure to
individuals; and
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(c) Potential impacts of exposure to
populations.
(6) Historical and current range of the
Pacific marten in coastal northern
California and coastal Oregon, including
distribution patterns.
(7) Historical and current population
levels of the Pacific marten in coastal
northern California and coastal Oregon,
and current and projected trends.
(8) Past and ongoing conservation
measures for the Pacific marten in
coastal northern California and coastal
Oregon, or its habitat.
(9) Effects of climate change on
habitat of the Pacific marten, including
changes in fire frequency and intensity.
(10) Whether our suggested approach
to evaluating the presently recognized
subspecies Humboldt marten (M. c.
humboldtensis) collectively with the
Oregon coastal populations of the
Pacific marten (a subset of M. c. caurina)
as a potential single DPS of the full
species Martes caurina is supported by
the best available scientific and
commercial data.
If you submitted comments or
information on the 90-day finding (77
FR 1900) during the initial comment
period from January 12, 2012, to March
12, 2013, please do not resubmit them.
We will incorporate them into the
public record and we will fully consider
them in the preparation of our 12-month
finding. Our 12-month finding will take
into consideration all written comments
and any additional information we
receive during the previous comment
period and this scoping period. If you
submit information during this scoping
period, please include sufficient
information with your submission (such
as scientific journal articles or other
publications) to allow us to verify any
scientific or commercial information
you include. You may submit your
information by one of the methods
listed in ADDRESSES. We request that
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35511
you send information only by the
methods described in ADDRESSES.
If you submit information via https://
www.regulations.gov, your entire
submission—including any personal
identifying information—will be posted
on the Web site. We will post all
hardcopy information received on
https://
www.regulations.gov as well. If you
submit hardcopy information that
includes personal identifying
information, you may request at the top
of your document that we withhold this
information from public review.
However, we cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so.
Information we receive, as well as
supporting documentation we use in
preparing our 12-month finding, will be
available via Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–
2014–0023 upon publication of our 12month finding in the Federal Register.
References Cited
A complete list of references cited is
available on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov and upon request
from the Arcata Fish and Wildlife Field
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT).
Author
The primary authors of this notice are
the staff members of the Pacific
Southwest Regional Office and Arcata
Fish and Wildlife Field Office.
Authority
The authority for this action is the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: June 12, 2014
Stephen Guertin,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–14513 Filed 6–20–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35509-35511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14513]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2014-0023; 4500030113]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding
on a Petition To List the Humboldt Marten as Endangered or Threatened
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of scoping and request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are
gathering information to prepare a 12-month finding under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), on a petition to list
the current classification of Humboldt marten (Martes caurina
humboldtensis) as an endangered or threatened species. We provide this
notice to summarize the uncertainty regarding the subspecies taxonomic
classification (based on current genetics information) and, therefore,
our intent to conduct an evaluation of a potential distinct population
segment (DPS) of martens in coastal northern California and coastal
Oregon relative to the full species classification level. We will
submit a 12-month finding on the petition to the Federal Register by
April 1, 2015.
DATES: We request that we receive information on or before August 7,
2014. Information submitted electronically using the Federal
eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES section, below) must be received by
11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.
ADDRESSES: You may submit information by one of the following methods:
(1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-R8-ES-2014-0023. You
may submit information by clicking on ``Comment Now!''
(2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery to: Public
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R8-ES-2014-0023; Division of Policy and
Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax
Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
We request that you send information only by the methods described
above. We will post all information we receive on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide us (see the Information Requested
section below for more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Bingham, Field Supervisor, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, 1655
Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521; telephone 707-822-7201; or facsimile
707-822-8411. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In a petition dated September 28, 2010 (Center for Biological
Diversity (CBD) and Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)
2010), the petitioners requested that we consider for listing the
(then-classified) subspecies Humboldt marten (Martes americana
humboldtensis), or the (now-recognized) subspecies Humboldt marten (M.
caurina humboldtensis), or the Humboldt marten Distinct Population
Segment (DPS) of the Pacific marten (M. caurina). The petitioners
further stipulated that, based on recent genetic analyses indicating
that populations of marten from coastal Oregon are more closely related
to M. a. humboldtensis than to M. a. caurina in the Cascades of Oregon
(citing Dawson 2008, Slauson et al. 2009), the range of the subspecies
or DPS of the Humboldt marten should be expanded to include coastal
Oregon populations. On January 12, 2012, we published a substantial 90-
day finding on the petition to list the Humboldt marten as an
endangered or threatened species under the Act (77 FR 1900). For
purposes of the 90-day finding, the common name Humboldt marten
referred to the then-classified American marten (M. americana)
populations in coastal northern California and coastal Oregon.
The American marten (Martes americana) was originally described as
a single species by Turton (1806; entire), based on specimens from
eastern North America. In 1890, Merriam (1890; entire) considered a new
species, M. caurina, as those martens found west of the Rocky
Mountains. In 1926, the Humboldt [Pine] marten (M. c. humboldtensis)
was described as a subspecies of M. caurina (Grinnel and Dixon 1926,
entire); historically, this subspecies was distributed throughout the
coastal, fog-influenced coniferous forests of northern California from
northwestern Sonoma County north to the Oregon border (Grinnel and
Dixon 1926, entire). In 1953, Wright (1953; entire) described one
species, the American marten (M. americana), which included as
subspecies both the Humboldt [Pine] marten subspecies (M. a.
humboldtensis), and the former western marten species (M. caurina),
classified as M. a. caurina.
As noted above, at the time of our 90-day finding (77 FR 1900;
January 12, 2012), the Humboldt marten was classified as Martes
americana humboldtensis. Subsequently, Dawson and Cook (2012, entire)
split the American marten, recognizing the Pacific marten (M. caurina)
for all martens occurring west of the Rocky Mountain crest, based on
genetic and morphological differences. While this split changed the
species-level name of all martens occurring west of the Rocky Mountain
crest from M. americana to M. caurina, subspecies epithets were not
changed. Therefore, the current classification of the Humboldt marten
in coastal northern California is M. c. humboldtensis, and the marten
populations occurring in adjacent coastal Oregon are M. c. caurina. In
addition, as currently recognized, populations of martens in the Oregon
Cascades northward through the State of Washington and into British
Columbia, Canada, are also M. c. caurina.
Ongoing genetic research indicates uncertainty in the Pacific
marten subspecies delineations in California and Oregon. Specifically,
the best available data indicate that the Martes caurina humboldtensis
population in coastal northern California (Humboldt, Siskiyou, and Del
Norte Counties) and the two M. c. caurina populations in coastal Oregon
(Curry, Coos, coastal portion of Douglas, coastal portion of Lane,
Lincoln, and Tillamook Counties) may be a single evolutionary unit
(clade) (Slauson et al. 2009, p. 1,340; Schwartz et al., in prep)
(available for review at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. FWS-R8-
ES-2014-0023). Although questions regarding the taxonomy of marten
subspecies in northern California and Oregon are not new (i.e., both
the petition we received (CBD and EPIC 2010) and our 90-day finding
(January 12, 2012; 77 FR 1900) identified ongoing genetic research and
taxonomic uncertainty), the best available information indicates that
the original designation of two separate marten subspecies occurring in
coastal
[[Page 35510]]
northern California and coastal Oregon may be invalid. However, there
is currently insufficient information to conclude with reasonable
certainty that coastal Oregon populations of Pacific marten should be
classified as M. c. humboldtensis. Such a conclusion is confounded by
small sample sizes and lack of corroborating information (e.g., similar
morphological or physiological traits among the two clades) that would
lend further support to a conclusion that these two groups should be
considered the same subspecies.
According to section 3(16) of the Act, we may consider for listing
any of three categories of vertebrate animals: A species, subspecies,
or distinct population segment (DPS; see the Service's 1996 Policy
Regarding the Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments
under the Endangered Species Act at 61 FR 4722). We refer to each of
these categories as a potential ``listable entity.'' We have been
petitioned to list collectively two groups of the Pacific marten (two
populations in Oregon and one in California) that are currently
recognized as belonging to two separate subspecies (as described
above). To ensure we are evaluating the most accurate listable entity
based on the best scientific and commercial data currently available
(including unpublished genetics information), and to ensure we are
being fully responsive to the petition (CBD and EPIC 2010), we consider
it reasonable that a coastal distinct population segment (DPS) of the
Pacific marten constitute the listable entity for our 12-month status
review. As such, we consider this DPS to include the currently
recognized Martes caurina humboldtensis (i.e., Humboldt marten) and the
coastal populations of M. caurina caurina in Oregon (i.e., Oregon Coast
Range group). We believe this entity is reasonable for consideration at
this time given:
(1) The best available data (e.g., new genetics information,
similar habitat usage) suggest that the coastal northern California
marten population and the coastal Oregon marten populations may be a
single evolutionary entity as opposed to two separate entities.
(2) Existing genetics information suggests that subspecies-level
taxonomy of M. c. humboldtensis, M. c. caurina, and possibly other
subspecies of the Pacific marten as currently classified may be
inaccurate.
(3) The DPS policy states that the population segment under
consideration must be evaluated for discreteness and significance in
relation to the remainder of the taxon to which it belongs. Ordinarily,
in the present case we would evaluate the marten populations relative
to the subspecies to which they belong, but the populations in question
currently represent two separate subspecies and there is uncertainty as
to the legitimacy of those subspecies classifications, rendering such
an evaluation invalid.
(4) Uncertainty in the subspecies-level taxonomy of Pacific marten
logically necessitates that we elevate our evaluation of the DPS
relative to the Pacific marten at the full species-level. In other
words, we would apply the criteria for evaluating a coastal DPS of the
Pacific marten relative to the full species Pacific marten (Martes
caurina) as a whole.
(5) The DPS policy states that ``In all cases, the organisms in a
population are members of a single species or lesser taxon.''
Therefore, given (1) through (4) above, we think that an evaluation at
the species level is appropriate.
Under the DPS policy, two basic elements are considered in the
decision regarding the establishment of a population of a vertebrate
species as a possible DPS. The question as to whether a population or
group of populations qualifies as a DPS requires a finding that the
population is both: (1) Discrete in relation to the remainder of the
taxon to which it belongs, and (2) biologically and ecologically
significant to the taxon to which it belongs. If the population meets
the first two criteria under the DPS policy, we then proceed to the
third element in the process, which is to evaluate the population
segment's conservation status in relation to the Act's standards for
listing as an endangered or threatened species.
Under the DPS policy, a population segment of a vertebrate taxon
may be considered discrete if it satisfies either one of the following
conditions:
(1) It is markedly separated from other populations of the same
taxon as a consequence of physical, physiological, ecological, or
behavioral factors. Quantitative measures of genetic or morphological
discontinuity may provide evidence of this separation.
(2) It is delimited by international governmental boundaries within
which differences in control of exploitation, management of habitat,
conservation status, or regulatory mechanisms exist that are
significant in light of section 4(a)(1)(D) of the Act. As the marten
populations in question here do not transcend an international
boundary, this criterion does not apply.
If we determine that a vertebrate population segment is discrete
under one or more of the conditions described in our DPS policy, then
we consider its biological and ecological significance to the larger
taxon to which it belongs. Because precise circumstances are likely to
vary considerably from case to case, the DPS policy does not describe
all the classes of information that might be used in determining the
biological and ecological importance of a discrete population. However,
the DPS policy describes four possible classes of information that
provide evidence of a population segment's biological and ecological
importance to the taxon to which it belongs. This consideration of the
population segment's significance may include, but is not limited to,
the following:
(1) Persistence of the discrete population segment in an ecological
setting unusual or unique to the taxon;
(2) Evidence that loss of the discrete population segment would
result in a significant gap in the range of a taxon;
(3) Evidence that the discrete population segment represents the
only surviving natural occurrence of a taxon that may be more abundant
elsewhere as an introduced population outside its historical range; or
(4) Evidence that the discrete population segment differs markedly
from other populations of the species in its genetic characteristics.
A population segment needs to satisfy only one of these conditions
to be considered significant. Furthermore, other information may be
used as appropriate to provide evidence for significance.
As indicated above, we anticipate concluding an evaluation of the
coastal DPS of Pacific marten and submitting a 12-month finding to the
Federal Register by April 1, 2015. We appreciate any information
regarding our consideration of the coastal northern California and
coastal Oregon populations of Pacific marten as a single listable
entity (see Information Requested).
Information Requested
We will accept written information during this 45-day scoping
period on our future 12-month finding evaluation of the putative
coastal DPS of Pacific marten. We will consider information from all
interested parties. We intend that any final action resulting from our
evaluation be as accurate as possible and based on the best available
scientific and commercial data.
We are interested in the following information for Pacific martens,
specifically Humboldt martens in coastal northern California and
coastal Oregon populations of Pacific marten:
(1) Habitat requirements for feeding, breeding, and sheltering.
[[Page 35511]]
(2) Genetics and taxonomy, especially:
(a) Information (e.g., morphological, genetic, physiological,
ecological, behavioral) supporting or contesting current subspecies
taxonomy of Martes caurina in coastal northern California and Oregon.
(b) Information supporting or contesting the validity of the
historical geographic boundaries of the Pacific marten subspecies,
Martes caurina caurina.
(3) Information to inform a DPS designation, especially:
(a) Information supporting or contesting the combining of the
population of Pacific martens in northwest California with the coastal
Oregon populations as a single listable entity under our DPS policy.
(b) Information to inform our evaluation as to whether martens in
coastal northern California and coastal Oregon do or do not meet the
criteria for discreteness and significance under our DPS policy.
(4) The factors that are the basis for making a listing
determination for a species, subspecies, or DPS under section 4(a) of
the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), which are:
(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.
(5) Exposure to toxicants, including anticoagulant rodenticides,
including information related to:
(a) Scope of exposure within coastal northern California and
coastal Oregon;
(b) Severity of exposure to individuals; and
(c) Potential impacts of exposure to populations.
(6) Historical and current range of the Pacific marten in coastal
northern California and coastal Oregon, including distribution
patterns.
(7) Historical and current population levels of the Pacific marten
in coastal northern California and coastal Oregon, and current and
projected trends.
(8) Past and ongoing conservation measures for the Pacific marten
in coastal northern California and coastal Oregon, or its habitat.
(9) Effects of climate change on habitat of the Pacific marten,
including changes in fire frequency and intensity.
(10) Whether our suggested approach to evaluating the presently
recognized subspecies Humboldt marten (M. c. humboldtensis)
collectively with the Oregon coastal populations of the Pacific marten
(a subset of M. c. caurina) as a potential single DPS of the full
species Martes caurina is supported by the best available scientific
and commercial data.
If you submitted comments or information on the 90-day finding (77
FR 1900) during the initial comment period from January 12, 2012, to
March 12, 2013, please do not resubmit them. We will incorporate them
into the public record and we will fully consider them in the
preparation of our 12-month finding. Our 12-month finding will take
into consideration all written comments and any additional information
we receive during the previous comment period and this scoping period.
If you submit information during this scoping period, please include
sufficient information with your submission (such as scientific journal
articles or other publications) to allow us to verify any scientific or
commercial information you include. You may submit your information by
one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We request that you send
information only by the methods described in ADDRESSES.
If you submit information via https://www.regulations.gov, your
entire submission--including any personal identifying information--will
be posted on the Web site. We will post all hardcopy information
received on https://www.regulations.gov as well. If you submit hardcopy
information that includes personal identifying information, you may
request at the top of your document that we withhold this information
from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able
to do so.
Information we receive, as well as supporting documentation we use
in preparing our 12-month finding, will be available via Docket No.
FWS-R8-ES-2014-0023 upon publication of our 12-month finding in the
Federal Register.
References Cited
A complete list of references cited is available on the Internet at
https://www.regulations.gov and upon request from the Arcata Fish and
Wildlife Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Author
The primary authors of this notice are the staff members of the
Pacific Southwest Regional Office and Arcata Fish and Wildlife Field
Office.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: June 12, 2014
Stephen Guertin,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-14513 Filed 6-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
