Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings on Two Petitions, 18409-18411 [2017-07942]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 19, 2017 / Proposed Rules not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard. C. Collection of Information This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520). D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Government A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 13132. Also, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. If you believe this proposed rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble. F. Environment We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023–01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and VerDate Sep<11>2014 12:41 Apr 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 have made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This proposed rule simply promulgates the operating regulations or procedures for drawbridges. Normally such actions are categorically excluded from further review, under figure 2–1, paragraph (32)(e), of the Instruction. Under figure 2–1, paragraph (32)(e), of the Instruction, an environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are not required for this rule. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule. G. Protest Activities The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or security of people, places or vessels. V. Public Participation and Request for Comments We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, and will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be submitted using https:// www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate instructions. We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal Register (70 FR 15086). Documents mentioned in this document, and all public comments, are in our online docket at https:// PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 18409 www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that Web site’s instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a final rule is published. List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117 Bridges. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 33 CFR part 117 as follows: PART 117—DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS 1. The authority citation for part 117 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 1.05–1; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. ■ 2. Revise § 117.669 to read as follows: § 117.669 Harbor). St. Louis River (Duluth-Superior (a) The draw of the Burlington Northern Grassy Point railroad Bridge, mile 5.44, shall open on signal except that, from December 15 through March 15 the draw shall open if at least 12hour notice is given. (b) The draw of the Canadian National Combined Railroad and Highway Bridge, mile 13.91, need not be opened for the passage of vessels. The owner shall return the draw to operable condition within a reasonable time when notified by the District Commander to do so. ■ 3. Revise § 117.1083 to read as follows: § 117.1083 Duluth-Superior Harbor (St. Louis River). See § 117.669 St. Louis River (DuluthSuperior Harbor), listed under Minnesota. Dated: March 31, 2017. J.E. Ryan, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2017–07907 Filed 4–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [4500030115] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings on Two Petitions AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. E:\FR\FM\19APP1.SGM 19APP1 18410 ACTION: Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 19, 2017 / Proposed Rules Notice of petition findings. We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90day findings on two petitions to list or reclassify wildlife or plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted, and we are not initiating status reviews in response to those petitions. We refer to these findings as ‘‘not-substantial’’ petition findings. DATES: These findings were made on April 19, 2017. ADDRESSES: Summaries of the bases for the not-substantial petition findings contained in this document are available on https://www.regulations.gov under the appropriate docket number (see Table 1 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Supporting information in preparing these findings is available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours by contacting the appropriate person, as specified in Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. If you have new information concerning the status of, or threats to, the species for which we made not-substantial petition findings (listed below in Table 1), or their habitats, please submit that information to the person listed in Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific people to contact for each species. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations set forth the procedures for adding a species to, or removing a species from, the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR part 424). Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires that we make a finding on whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. To the maximum extent practicable, we are to make this finding within 90 days of our receipt of the petition and publish the finding promptly in the Federal Register. Last year, the Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service of the Department of Commerce revised the regulations that outline the procedures for evaluating petitions (81 FR 66462; September 27, 2016). The new regulations at 50 CFR 424.14 were effective October 27, 2016. We received the petitions referenced in this document prior to that effective date. Therefore, we evaluated these petitions under the 50 CFR 424.14 requirements that were in effect prior to October 27, 2016, as those requirements applied when the petitions were received. The regulations in effect prior to October 27, 2016, establish that the standard for substantial scientific or commercial information with regard to a 90-day petition finding is ‘‘that amount of information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the measure proposed in the petition may be warranted’’ (former 50 CFR 424.14(b)). A species may be determined to be an endangered or threatened species because of one or more of the five factors described in section 4(a)(1) of the Act. In considering whether conditions described within one or more of the factors might constitute threats, we must look beyond the exposure of the species to those conditions to evaluate whether the species may respond to the conditions in a way that causes actual impacts to the species. If there is exposure to a condition and the species responds negatively, the condition qualifies as a stressor and, during the subsequent status review, we attempt to determine how significant the stressor is. If the stressor is sufficiently significant that it drives, or contributes to, the risk of extinction of the species such that the species may warrant listing as endangered or threatened as those terms are defined in the Act, the stressor constitutes a threat to the species. Thus, the identification of conditions that could affect a species negatively may not be sufficient to compel a finding that the information in the petition and our files is substantial. The information must include evidence sufficient to suggest that these conditions may be operative threats that individually or cumulatively act on the species to a sufficient degree that the species may meet the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Act. If we find that a petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information, we are required to promptly commence a review of the status of the species, and we will subsequently summarize the status review in a 12-month finding. Summaries of Petition Findings The not-substantial petition findings contained in this document are listed in Table 1 and the bases for the findings, along with supporting information, are available on https://www.regulations.gov under the appropriate docket number. TABLE 1—NOT-SUBSTANTIAL FINDINGS Common name Docket No. Florida black bear ................................................ Mojave population of the desert tortoise .............. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Evaluation of a Petition To List the Florida Black Bear as a Threatened or Endangered Species Under the Act Species and Range Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus): Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Petition History On March 18, 2016, we received a petition dated March 17, 2016, from the Center for Biological Diversity, Animal VerDate Sep<11>2014 12:41 Apr 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 URL to docket on https://www.regulations.gov FWS–R4–ES–2017–0015 FWS–R8–ES–2017–0009 https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FWS-R4-ES-2017-0015 https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FWS-R8-ES-2017-0009 Legal Defense Fund, Animal Hero Kids, Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, Animal Welfare Institute, Big Cat Rescue, Guillaume Chapron, Compassion Works International, Environmental Action, The Humane Society of the United States, Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, Miha Krofel, The League of Women Voters of Florida, Lobby for Animals, Paul C. Paquet, Stuart Pimm, Preserve Our Wildlife, Sierra Club Florida Chapter, South PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Florida Wildlands Association, Speak Up Wekiva, Stop the Florida Bear Hunt, Adrian Treves, John A. Vucetich, and Robert Wielgus requesting that the Florida black bear be listed as a threatened or endangered species under the Act. The petition clearly identified itself as such and included the requisite identification information for the petitioners, required at former 50 CFR 424.14(a). This finding addresses the petition. E:\FR\FM\19APP1.SGM 19APP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 19, 2017 / Proposed Rules Finding Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the petition, we find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the Florida black bear may be warranted. Because the petition does not present substantial information indicating that listing the Florida black bear may be warranted, we are not initiating a status review of this species in response to this petition. However, we ask that the public submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of, or threats to, this species or its habitat at any time (see Table 3, below). The basis for our finding on this petition, and other information regarding our review of this petition, can be found as an appendix at https:// www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2017–0015 under the Supporting Documents section. Evaluation of a Petition To Reclassify the Mojave Population of the Desert Tortoise as an Endangered Species Under the Act Species and Range Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) (Mojave population): Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. The Mojave population of the desert tortoise was listed as a threatened species on April 2, 1990 (55 FR 12178). Petition History On July 2, 2002, we received a petition dated June 28, 2002, from Mr. Craig Dremann requesting that the threatened Mojave population of the desert tortoise be emergency reclassified as endangered under the Act. The petition clearly identified itself as such and included the requisite identification information for the petitioner, required at former 50 CFR 424.14(a). This finding addresses the petition. Finding Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the petition, we 18411 find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that reclassifying the Mojave population of the desert tortoise may be warranted. Because the petition does not present substantial information indicating that reclassifying the Mojave population of the desert tortoise may be warranted, we are not initiating a status review of this species in response to this petition. However, we ask that the public submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of, or threats to, this species or its habitat at any time (see Table 3, below). The basis for our finding on this petition, and other information regarding our review of this petition can be found as an appendix at https:// www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2017–0009 under the Supporting Documents section. Contacts Contact information is provided below in Table 3 for the not-substantial findings. TABLE 3—CONTACTS Common name Contact person Florida black bear ..................................................................................... Mojave population of the desert tortoise .................................................. Andreas Moshogianis, 404–679–7119; andreas_moshogianis@fws.gov Arnold Roessler, 916–414–6613; arnold_roessler@fws.gov If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the Federal Relay Service (FIRS) at 800– 877–8339. [FR Doc. 2017–07942 Filed 4–18–17; 8:45 am] Conclusion BILLING CODE 4333–15–P On the basis of our evaluation of the information presented in the petitions under section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act, we have determined that the petitions referenced above for the Florida black bear and the Mojave population of the desert tortoise do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the requested actions may be warranted. Therefore, we are not initiating status reviews for these species. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Authors The primary authors of this notice are staff members of the Ecological Services Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Authority The authority for these actions is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). VerDate Sep<11>2014 Dated: April 10, 2017. James W. Kurth, Acting, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 12:41 Apr 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 170314268–7268–01] RIN 0648–BG68 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder and Scup Fisheries; Fishing Year 2017 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS proposes management measures for the 2017 summer flounder SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 and scup recreational fisheries. The implementing regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to publish recreational measures for the fishing year and to provide an opportunity for public comment. The intent of these measures is to constrain recreational catch to established limits and prevent overfishing of the summer flounder and scup resources. We are proposing the 2017 management measures and revised specifications for the recreational black sea bass fishery in separate actions. DATES: Comments must be received by 5 p.m. local time, on May 4, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2017–0022, by either of the following methods: Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. • Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20170022, • Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields • Enter or attach your comments. Or Mail: Submit written comments to John Bullard, Regional Administrator, E:\FR\FM\19APP1.SGM 19APP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 19, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18409-18411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07942]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[4500030115]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings on 
Two Petitions

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

[[Page 18410]]


ACTION: Notice of petition findings.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90-
day findings on two petitions to list or reclassify wildlife or plants 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on 
our review, we find that the petitions do not present substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned 
action may be warranted, and we are not initiating status reviews in 
response to those petitions. We refer to these findings as ``not-
substantial'' petition findings.

DATES: These findings were made on April 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Summaries of the bases for the not-substantial petition 
findings contained in this document are available on https://www.regulations.gov under the appropriate docket number (see Table 1 
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Supporting information in preparing 
these findings is available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours by contacting the appropriate person, as 
specified in Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. If you have new 
information concerning the status of, or threats to, the species for 
which we made not-substantial petition findings (listed below in Table 
1), or their habitats, please submit that information to the person 
listed in Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION for specific people to contact for each species.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing 
regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations set forth 
the procedures for adding a species to, or removing a species from, the 
Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 
part 424). Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires that we make a 
finding on whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species 
presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating 
that the petitioned action may be warranted. To the maximum extent 
practicable, we are to make this finding within 90 days of our receipt 
of the petition and publish the finding promptly in the Federal 
Register.
    Last year, the Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service of 
the Department of Commerce revised the regulations that outline the 
procedures for evaluating petitions (81 FR 66462; September 27, 2016). 
The new regulations at 50 CFR 424.14 were effective October 27, 2016. 
We received the petitions referenced in this document prior to that 
effective date. Therefore, we evaluated these petitions under the 50 
CFR 424.14 requirements that were in effect prior to October 27, 2016, 
as those requirements applied when the petitions were received. The 
regulations in effect prior to October 27, 2016, establish that the 
standard for substantial scientific or commercial information with 
regard to a 90-day petition finding is ``that amount of information 
that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the measure 
proposed in the petition may be warranted'' (former 50 CFR 424.14(b)).
    A species may be determined to be an endangered or threatened 
species because of one or more of the five factors described in section 
4(a)(1) of the Act. In considering whether conditions described within 
one or more of the factors might constitute threats, we must look 
beyond the exposure of the species to those conditions to evaluate 
whether the species may respond to the conditions in a way that causes 
actual impacts to the species. If there is exposure to a condition and 
the species responds negatively, the condition qualifies as a stressor 
and, during the subsequent status review, we attempt to determine how 
significant the stressor is. If the stressor is sufficiently 
significant that it drives, or contributes to, the risk of extinction 
of the species such that the species may warrant listing as endangered 
or threatened as those terms are defined in the Act, the stressor 
constitutes a threat to the species. Thus, the identification of 
conditions that could affect a species negatively may not be sufficient 
to compel a finding that the information in the petition and our files 
is substantial. The information must include evidence sufficient to 
suggest that these conditions may be operative threats that 
individually or cumulatively act on the species to a sufficient degree 
that the species may meet the definition of an endangered or threatened 
species under the Act.
    If we find that a petition presents substantial scientific or 
commercial information, we are required to promptly commence a review 
of the status of the species, and we will subsequently summarize the 
status review in a 12-month finding.

Summaries of Petition Findings

    The not-substantial petition findings contained in this document 
are listed in Table 1 and the bases for the findings, along with 
supporting information, are available on https://www.regulations.gov 
under the appropriate docket number.

                                        Table 1--Not-Substantial Findings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      URL to docket on https://
              Common name                               Docket No.                      www.regulations.gov
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida black bear....................  FWS-R4-ES-2017-0015                        https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FWS-R4-ES-2017-0015
Mojave population of the desert         FWS-R8-ES-2017-0009                        https://www.regulations.gov/
 tortoise.                                                                          docket?D=FWS-R8-ES-2017-0009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Florida Black Bear as a Threatened 
or Endangered Species Under the Act

Species and Range

    Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus): Florida, Georgia, 
and Alabama.

Petition History

    On March 18, 2016, we received a petition dated March 17, 2016, 
from the Center for Biological Diversity, Animal Legal Defense Fund, 
Animal Hero Kids, Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, Animal Welfare 
Institute, Big Cat Rescue, Guillaume Chapron, Compassion Works 
International, Environmental Action, The Humane Society of the United 
States, Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, Miha Krofel, The League of 
Women Voters of Florida, Lobby for Animals, Paul C. Paquet, Stuart 
Pimm, Preserve Our Wildlife, Sierra Club Florida Chapter, South Florida 
Wildlands Association, Speak Up Wekiva, Stop the Florida Bear Hunt, 
Adrian Treves, John A. Vucetich, and Robert Wielgus requesting that the 
Florida black bear be listed as a threatened or endangered species 
under the Act. The petition clearly identified itself as such and 
included the requisite identification information for the petitioners, 
required at former 50 CFR 424.14(a). This finding addresses the 
petition.

[[Page 18411]]

Finding

    Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the 
petition, we find that the petition does not present substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the 
Florida black bear may be warranted. Because the petition does not 
present substantial information indicating that listing the Florida 
black bear may be warranted, we are not initiating a status review of 
this species in response to this petition. However, we ask that the 
public submit to us any new information that becomes available 
concerning the status of, or threats to, this species or its habitat at 
any time (see Table 3, below).
    The basis for our finding on this petition, and other information 
regarding our review of this petition, can be found as an appendix at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2017-0015 under 
the Supporting Documents section.

Evaluation of a Petition To Reclassify the Mojave Population of the 
Desert Tortoise as an Endangered Species Under the Act

Species and Range

    Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) (Mojave population): Arizona, 
California, Nevada, and Utah.
    The Mojave population of the desert tortoise was listed as a 
threatened species on April 2, 1990 (55 FR 12178).

Petition History

    On July 2, 2002, we received a petition dated June 28, 2002, from 
Mr. Craig Dremann requesting that the threatened Mojave population of 
the desert tortoise be emergency reclassified as endangered under the 
Act. The petition clearly identified itself as such and included the 
requisite identification information for the petitioner, required at 
former 50 CFR 424.14(a). This finding addresses the petition.

Finding

    Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the 
petition, we find that the petition does not present substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that reclassifying the 
Mojave population of the desert tortoise may be warranted. Because the 
petition does not present substantial information indicating that 
reclassifying the Mojave population of the desert tortoise may be 
warranted, we are not initiating a status review of this species in 
response to this petition. However, we ask that the public submit to us 
any new information that becomes available concerning the status of, or 
threats to, this species or its habitat at any time (see Table 3, 
below).
    The basis for our finding on this petition, and other information 
regarding our review of this petition can be found as an appendix at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2017-0009 under 
the Supporting Documents section.

Contacts

    Contact information is provided below in Table 3 for the not-
substantial findings.

                            Table 3--Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Common name                         Contact person
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida black bear.....................  Andreas Moshogianis, 404-679-
                                          7119;
                                          andreas_moshogianis@fws.gov
Mojave population of the desert          Arnold Roessler, 916-414-6613;
 tortoise.                                arnold_roessler@fws.gov
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please 
call the Federal Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

Conclusion

    On the basis of our evaluation of the information presented in the 
petitions under section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act, we have determined that 
the petitions referenced above for the Florida black bear and the 
Mojave population of the desert tortoise do not present substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that the requested 
actions may be warranted. Therefore, we are not initiating status 
reviews for these species.

Authors

    The primary authors of this notice are staff members of the 
Ecological Services Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Authority

    The authority for these actions is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: April 10, 2017.
James W. Kurth,
Acting, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-07942 Filed 4-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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