Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings for Two Species, 69713-69715 [2019-27338]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Proposed Rules
4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that
determinations as to whether any
species is endangered or threatened
must be made ‘‘solely on the basis of the
best scientific and commercial data
available.’’
You may submit your comments and
materials by one of the methods listed
in ADDRESSES. We request that you send
comments only by the methods
described in ADDRESSES. If you submit
information via https://
www.regulations.gov, your entire
submission—including your personal
identifying information—will be posted
on the website. If your submission is
made via a hardcopy 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.
We will post all hardcopy submissions
on https://www.regulations.gov.
Comments and materials we receive,
as well as supporting documentation we
used in preparing this proposed rule,
will be available for public inspection
on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket
No. FWS–R8–ES–2018–0105, or by
appointment, during normal business
hours, at the Yreka Fish and Wildlife
Office (see ADDRESSES). Our final
determination concerning the November
7, 2019, revised proposed rule (84 FR
60278) will take into consideration all
written comments we receive during the
open comment periods and comments
from peer reviewers. These comments
will be included in the public record for
this rulemaking, and we will fully
consider them in the preparation of our
final determination.
Authority
The authority for this action is the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: December 10, 2019.
Margaret E. Everson,
Principal Deputy Director, Exercising the
Authority of the Director for the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–27270 Filed 12–18–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[4500030115]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; 90-Day Findings for Two
Species
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of petition findings and
initiation of status reviews.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90day findings on two petitions to add
species to the List of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act). Based on our review, we
find that the petitions present
substantial scientific or commercial
information indicating that the
petitioned actions may be warranted.
Therefore, with the publication of this
document, we announce that we plan to
initiate status reviews of the Bethany
Beach firefly (Photuris bethaniensis)
and Gulf Coast solitary bee (Hesperapis
oraria) to determine whether the
petitioned actions are warranted. To
ensure that the status reviews are
comprehensive, we are requesting
scientific and commercial data and
other information regarding the species
and factors that may affect their status.
Based on the status reviews, we will
issue 12-month petition findings, which
will address whether or not the
petitioned actions are warranted, in
accordance with the Act.
DATES: These findings were made on
December 19, 2019. As we commence
our status reviews, we seek any new
information concerning the status of, or
threats to, the species or their habitats.
Any information received during the
course of our status reviews will be
considered.
ADDRESSES: Supporting documents:
Summaries of the bases for the petition
findings contained in this document are
SUMMARY:
Species common name
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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available on https://www.regulations.gov
under the appropriate docket number
(see table under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION). In addition, this
supporting information is available for
public inspection, by appointment,
during normal business hours by
contacting the appropriate person, as
specified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
Status reviews: If you have new
scientific or commercial data or other
information concerning the status of, or
threats to, the species for which we are
initiating status reviews, please provide
those data or information by one of the
following methods:
(1) Electronically: Go to the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. In the Search box,
enter the appropriate docket number
(see table under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION). Then, click on the
‘‘Search’’ button. After finding the
correct document, you may submit
information by clicking on ‘‘Comment
Now!’’ If your information will fit in the
provided comment box, please use this
feature of https://www.regulations.gov, as
it is most compatible with our
information review procedures. If you
attach your information as a separate
document, our preferred file format is
Microsoft Word. If you attach multiple
comments (such as form letters), our
preferred format is a spreadsheet in
Microsoft Excel.
(2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail
or hand-delivery to: Public Comments
Processing, Attn: [Insert appropriate
docket number; see table under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION], U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, MS: JAO/1N, 5275
Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041–
3803.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Contact person
Bethany Beach firefly ...............................................................................
Gulf Coast solitary bee .............................................................................
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf, please call the
Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339.
69713
Krishna Gifford, 413–253–8619; krishna_gifford@fws.gov.
Sean Blomquist, 850–769–0552; sean_blomquist@fws.gov.
Background
Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533)
and its implementing regulations in title
50 of the Code of Federal Regulations
(50 CFR part 424) set forth the
procedures for adding species to,
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
removing species from, or reclassifying
species on the Federal Lists of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants (List or Lists) in 50 CFR part
17. Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires
that we make a finding on whether a
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Proposed Rules
petition to add a species to the List (i.e.,
‘‘list’’ a species), remove a species from
the List (i.e., ‘‘delist’’ a species), or
change a listed species’ status from
endangered to threatened or from
threatened to endangered (i.e.,
‘‘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.
Our regulations establish that
substantial scientific or commercial
information with regard to a 90-day
petition finding refers to ‘‘credible
scientific or commercial information in
support of the petition’s claims such
that a reasonable person conducting an
impartial scientific review would
conclude that the action proposed in the
petition may be warranted’’ (50 CFR
424.14(h)(1)(i)).
A species may be determined to be an
endangered species or a threatened
species because of one or more of the
five factors described in section 4(a)(1)
of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1)). The
five factors are:
(a) The present or threatened
destruction, modification, or
curtailment of its habitat or range
(Factor A);
(b) Overutilization for commercial,
recreational, scientific, or educational
purposes (Factor B);
(c) Disease or predation (Factor C);
(d) The inadequacy of existing
regulatory mechanisms (Factor D); or
(e) Other natural or manmade factors
affecting its continued existence (Factor
E).
These factors represent broad
categories of natural or human-caused
actions or conditions that could have an
effect on a species’ continued existence.
In evaluating these actions and
conditions, we look for those that may
have a negative effect on individuals of
the species, as well as other actions or
conditions that may ameliorate any
negative effects or may have positive
effects.
We use the term ‘‘threat’’ to refer in
general to actions or conditions that are
known to, or are reasonably likely to,
affect individuals of a species
negatively. The term ‘‘threat’’ includes
actions or conditions that have a direct
impact on individuals (direct impacts),
as well as those that affect individuals
through alteration of their habitat or
required resources (stressors). The term
‘‘threat’’ may encompass—either
together or separately—the source of the
action or condition or the action or
condition itself. However, the mere
identification of any threat(s) may not
be sufficient to compel a finding that the
information in the petition is substantial
information indicating that the
petitioned action may be warranted. The
information presented in the petition
must include evidence sufficient to
suggest that these threats may be
affecting the species to the point that the
species may meet the definition of an
endangered species or threatened
species under the Act. If we find that a
petition presents such information, our
subsequent status review will evaluate
all identified threats by considering the
individual-, population-, and specieslevel effects and the expected response
by the species. We will evaluate
individual threats and their expected
effects on the species, then analyze the
cumulative effect of the threats on the
species as a whole. We also consider the
cumulative effect of the threats in light
of those actions and conditions that are
expected to have positive effects on the
species—such as any existing regulatory
mechanisms or conservation efforts that
may ameliorate threats. It is only after
conducting this cumulative analysis of
threats and the actions that may
ameliorate them, and the expected effect
on the species now and in the
foreseeable future, that we can
determine whether the species meets
the definition of an endangered species
or threatened species under the Act. If
we find that a petition presents
substantial scientific or commercial
information indicating that the
petitioned action may be warranted, the
Act requires that we promptly
commence a review of the status of the
species, and we will subsequently
complete a status review in accordance
with our prioritization methodology for
12-month findings (81 FR 49248; July
27, 2016).
Summaries of Petition Findings
The petition findings contained in
this document are listed in the table
below, and the basis for each finding,
along with supporting information, is
available on https://www.regulations.gov
under the appropriate docket number.
TABLE: STATUS REVIEWS
Common name
Docket No.
Bethany Beach firefly ......................
Gulf Coast solitary bee ...................
FWS–R5–ES–2019–0088 .............
FWS–R4–ES–2019–0089 .............
Evaluation of a Petition To List the
Bethany Beach Firefly
Species and Range
Bethany Beach firefly (Photuris
bethaniensis); Sussex County, Delaware.
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS
Petition History
On May 15, 2019, we received a
petition from the Center for Biological
Diversity and Xerces Society for
Invertebrate Conservation requesting
that the Bethany Beach firefly be listed
as endangered or threatened and critical
habitat be designated for this species
under the Act. The petition clearly
identified itself as such and included
the requisite identification information
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Jkt 250001
URL to Docket on https://www.regulations.gov
https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FWS-R5-ES-2019-0088.
https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FWS-R4-ES-2019-0089.
for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR
424.14(c). This finding addresses
whether the petition presents
substantial information indicating the
petitioned action may be warranted.
Finding
Based on our review of the petition
and sources cited in the petition, we
find that the petition presents
substantial scientific or commercial
information indicating the petitioned
action may be warranted for the Bethany
Beach firefly due to potential threats
associated with the following: Habitat
loss, degradation, or modification (via
urban development, wetland
conversion, and habitat fragmentation)
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(Factor A); overutilization for
recreational purposes (Factor B); and
other natural or manmade factors (via
light pollution, invasive species,
pesticide use, and the effects of climate
change (sea level rise, increased
incidence of severe storms, and
increased temperature and phenology
changes)) (Factor E). The petition also
presented substantial information
indicating that the existing regulatory
mechanisms may be inadequate to
address impacts of these threats (Factor
D).
The basis for our finding on this
petition, and other information
regarding our review of the petition, can
be found as an appendix at https://
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Proposed Rules
www.regulations.gov under Docket No.
FWS–R5–ES–2019–0088 under the
Supporting Documents section.
Evaluation of a Petition To List the Gulf
Coast Solitary Bee
Species and Range
Gulf Coast solitary bee (Hesperapis
oraria); Jackson County, Mississippi;
Mobile and Baldwin Counties, Alabama;
Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, Santa
Rosa, and Bay Counties, Florida.
Petition History
On April 2, 2019, we received a
petition dated March 27, 2019, from the
Center for Biological Diversity,
requesting that the Gulf Coast solitary
bee be listed as endangered or
threatened and critical habitat be
designated for this species under the
Act. The petition clearly identified itself
as such and included the requisite
identification information for the
petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c).
This finding addresses whether the
petition presents substantial
information indicating the petitioned
action may be warranted.
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS
Finding
Based on our review of the petition
and sources cited in the petition, we
find that the petition presents
substantial scientific or commercial
information indicating the petitioned
action may be warranted for the Gulf
Coast solitary bee due to potential
threats associated with the following:
Effects from climate change, pesticide
spraying, and urbanization (Factor A);
and loss of pollination mutualism
(Factor E). The petition also presented
substantial information indicating that
the existing regulatory mechanisms may
be inadequate to address impacts of
these threats (Factor D).
The basis for our finding on this
petition, and other information
regarding our review of the petition, can
be found as an appendix at https://
www.regulations.gov under Docket No.
FWS–R4–ES–2019–0089 under the
Supporting Documents section.
Conclusion
On the basis of our evaluation of the
information presented in the petitions
under sections 4(b)(3)(A) and
4(b)(3)(D)(i) of the Act, we have
determined that the petitions
summarized above for the Bethany
Beach firefly and Gulf Coast solitary bee
present substantial scientific or
commercial information indicating that
the petitioned actions may be
warranted. We are, therefore, initiating
status reviews of these species to
determine whether the actions are
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:40 Dec 18, 2019
Jkt 250001
warranted under the Act. At the
conclusion of the status reviews, we
will issue findings, in accordance with
section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act, as to
whether the petitioned actions are not
warranted, warranted, or warranted but
precluded by pending proposals to
determine whether any species is an
endangered species or a threatened
species.
Authors
The primary authors of this document
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: December 5, 2019.
Margaret E. Everson,
Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Exercising the Authority of
the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–27338 Filed 12–18–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 191213–0113]
RIN 0648–BJ08
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Greater
Amberjack Management Measures
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS proposes to implement
management measures described in a
framework action to the Fishery
Management Plan for the Reef Fish
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP),
as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council (Council).
If implemented, this proposed rule
would revise the commercial trip limit
in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) for greater
amberjack. In addition, this proposed
rule would revise the boundaries of
several Gulf reef fish management areas
to reflect a change in the seaward
boundary of Alabama, Louisiana, and
Mississippi for purposes of management
SUMMARY:
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69715
under the FMP to 9 nautical miles (nm).
The purpose of this proposed rule and
the framework action is to extend the
commercial fishing season for greater
amberjack by constraining the harvest
rate while continuing to prevent
overfishing and rebuild the stock in the
Gulf, and to update the boundaries of
reef fish management areas to reflect the
current state boundaries.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before January 21, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on the proposed rule, identified by
‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2019–0088’’ by any 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–2019–
0088, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Kelli O’Donnell, Southeast Regional
Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
Electronic copies of the framework
action, which includes an
environmental assessment, a regulatory
impact review, and a Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis may be
obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office website at 6https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/
framework-action-greater-amberjackcommercial-trip-limits.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelli O’Donnell, Southeast Regional
Office, NMFS, telephone: 727–824–
5305, email: Kelli.ODonnell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf
reef fish fishery, which includes greater
amberjack, is managed under the FMP.
The FMP was prepared by the Council
and is implemented by NMFS through
regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
E:\FR\FM\19DEP1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69713-69715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27338]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[4500030115]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings
for Two Species
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of petition findings and initiation of status reviews.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90-
day findings on two petitions to add species to the List of Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions present
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the
petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of
this document, we announce that we plan to initiate status reviews of
the Bethany Beach firefly (Photuris bethaniensis) and Gulf Coast
solitary bee (Hesperapis oraria) to determine whether the petitioned
actions are warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are
comprehensive, we are requesting scientific and commercial data and
other information regarding the species and factors that may affect
their status. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12-month
petition findings, which will address whether or not the petitioned
actions are warranted, in accordance with the Act.
DATES: These findings were made on December 19, 2019. As we commence
our status reviews, we seek any new information concerning the status
of, or threats to, the species or their habitats. Any information
received during the course of our status reviews will be considered.
ADDRESSES: Supporting documents: Summaries of the bases for the
petition findings contained in this document are available on https://www.regulations.gov under the appropriate docket number (see table
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). In addition, this supporting
information is available for public inspection, by appointment, during
normal business hours by contacting the appropriate person, as
specified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Status reviews: If you have new scientific or commercial data or
other information concerning the status of, or threats to, the species
for which we are initiating status reviews, please provide those data
or information by one of the following methods:
(1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter the appropriate docket
number (see table under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Then, click on the
``Search'' button. After finding the correct document, you may submit
information by clicking on ``Comment Now!'' If your information will
fit in the provided comment box, please use this feature of https://www.regulations.gov, as it is most compatible with our information
review procedures. If you attach your information as a separate
document, our preferred file format is Microsoft Word. If you attach
multiple comments (such as form letters), our preferred format is a
spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.
(2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public
Comments Processing, Attn: [Insert appropriate docket number; see table
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION], U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS:
JAO/1N, 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species common name Contact person
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bethany Beach firefly.................. Krishna Gifford, 413-253-8619;
[email protected].
Gulf Coast solitary bee................ Sean Blomquist, 850-769-0552;
[email protected].
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf, please call
the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
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 (50 CFR part
424) set forth the procedures for adding species to, removing species
from, or reclassifying species on the Federal Lists of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List or Lists) in 50 CFR part 17.
Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires that we make a finding on
whether a
[[Page 69714]]
petition to add a species to the List (i.e., ``list'' a species),
remove a species from the List (i.e., ``delist'' a species), or change
a listed species' status from endangered to threatened or from
threatened to endangered (i.e., ``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.
Our regulations establish that substantial scientific or commercial
information with regard to a 90-day petition finding refers to
``credible scientific or commercial information in support of the
petition's claims such that a reasonable person conducting an impartial
scientific review would conclude that the action proposed in the
petition may be warranted'' (50 CFR 424.14(h)(1)(i)).
A species may be determined to be an endangered species or a
threatened species because of one or more of the five factors described
in section 4(a)(1) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1)). The five factors
are:
(a) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or
curtailment of its habitat or range (Factor A);
(b) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes (Factor B);
(c) Disease or predation (Factor C);
(d) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms (Factor D); or
(e) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued
existence (Factor E).
These factors represent broad categories of natural or human-caused
actions or conditions that could have an effect on a species' continued
existence. In evaluating these actions and conditions, we look for
those that may have a negative effect on individuals of the species, as
well as other actions or conditions that may ameliorate any negative
effects or may have positive effects.
We use the term ``threat'' to refer in general to actions or
conditions that are known to, or are reasonably likely to, affect
individuals of a species negatively. The term ``threat'' includes
actions or conditions that have a direct impact on individuals (direct
impacts), as well as those that affect individuals through alteration
of their habitat or required resources (stressors). The term ``threat''
may encompass--either together or separately--the source of the action
or condition or the action or condition itself. However, the mere
identification of any threat(s) may not be sufficient to compel a
finding that the information in the petition is substantial information
indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. The information
presented in the petition must include evidence sufficient to suggest
that these threats may be affecting the species to the point that the
species may meet the definition of an endangered species or threatened
species under the Act. If we find that a petition presents such
information, our subsequent status review will evaluate all identified
threats by considering the individual-, population-, and species-level
effects and the expected response by the species. We will evaluate
individual threats and their expected effects on the species, then
analyze the cumulative effect of the threats on the species as a whole.
We also consider the cumulative effect of the threats in light of those
actions and conditions that are expected to have positive effects on
the species--such as any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts that may ameliorate threats. It is only after conducting this
cumulative analysis of threats and the actions that may ameliorate
them, and the expected effect on the species now and in the foreseeable
future, that we can determine whether the species meets the definition
of an endangered species or threatened species under the Act. If we
find that a petition presents substantial scientific or commercial
information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted, the
Act requires that we promptly commence a review of the status of the
species, and we will subsequently complete a status review in
accordance with our prioritization methodology for 12-month findings
(81 FR 49248; July 27, 2016).
Summaries of Petition Findings
The petition findings contained in this document are listed in the
table below, and the basis for each finding, along with supporting
information, is available on https://www.regulations.gov under the
appropriate docket number.
Table: Status Reviews
------------------------------------------------------------------------
URL to Docket on
Common name Docket No. https://www.regulations.gov
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bethany Beach firefly......... FWS-R5-ES-2019-00 https://
88. www.regulations.gov/
docket?D=FWS-R5-ES-
2019-0088.
Gulf Coast solitary bee....... FWS-R4-ES-2019-00 https://
89. www.regulations.gov/
docket?D=FWS-R4-ES-
2019-0089.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evaluation of a Petition To List the Bethany Beach Firefly
Species and Range
Bethany Beach firefly (Photuris bethaniensis); Sussex County,
Delaware.
Petition History
On May 15, 2019, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity and Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
requesting that the Bethany Beach firefly be listed as endangered or
threatened and critical habitat be designated for this species under
the Act. The petition clearly identified itself as such and included
the requisite identification information for the petitioner, required
at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This finding addresses whether the petition
presents substantial information indicating the petitioned action may
be warranted.
Finding
Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the
petition, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or
commercial information indicating the petitioned action may be
warranted for the Bethany Beach firefly due to potential threats
associated with the following: Habitat loss, degradation, or
modification (via urban development, wetland conversion, and habitat
fragmentation) (Factor A); overutilization for recreational purposes
(Factor B); and other natural or manmade factors (via light pollution,
invasive species, pesticide use, and the effects of climate change (sea
level rise, increased incidence of severe storms, and increased
temperature and phenology changes)) (Factor E). The petition also
presented substantial information indicating that the existing
regulatory mechanisms may be inadequate to address impacts of these
threats (Factor D).
The basis for our finding on this petition, and other information
regarding our review of the petition, can be found as an appendix at
https://
[[Page 69715]]
www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R5-ES-2019-0088 under the
Supporting Documents section.
Evaluation of a Petition To List the Gulf Coast Solitary Bee
Species and Range
Gulf Coast solitary bee (Hesperapis oraria); Jackson County,
Mississippi; Mobile and Baldwin Counties, Alabama; Escambia, Okaloosa,
Walton, Santa Rosa, and Bay Counties, Florida.
Petition History
On April 2, 2019, we received a petition dated March 27, 2019, from
the Center for Biological Diversity, requesting that the Gulf Coast
solitary bee be listed as endangered or threatened and critical habitat
be designated for this species under the Act. The petition clearly
identified itself as such and included the requisite identification
information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This
finding addresses whether the petition presents substantial information
indicating the petitioned action may be warranted.
Finding
Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the
petition, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or
commercial information indicating the petitioned action may be
warranted for the Gulf Coast solitary bee due to potential threats
associated with the following: Effects from climate change, pesticide
spraying, and urbanization (Factor A); and loss of pollination
mutualism (Factor E). The petition also presented substantial
information indicating that the existing regulatory mechanisms may be
inadequate to address impacts of these threats (Factor D).
The basis for our finding on this petition, and other information
regarding our review of the petition, can be found as an appendix at
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2019-0089 under
the Supporting Documents section.
Conclusion
On the basis of our evaluation of the information presented in the
petitions under sections 4(b)(3)(A) and 4(b)(3)(D)(i) of the Act, we
have determined that the petitions summarized above for the Bethany
Beach firefly and Gulf Coast solitary bee present substantial
scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned
actions may be warranted. We are, therefore, initiating status reviews
of these species to determine whether the actions are warranted under
the Act. At the conclusion of the status reviews, we will issue
findings, in accordance with section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act, as to
whether the petitioned actions are not warranted, warranted, or
warranted but precluded by pending proposals to determine whether any
species is an endangered species or a threatened species.
Authors
The primary authors of this document 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: December 5, 2019.
Margaret E. Everson,
Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Exercising
the Authority of the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27338 Filed 12-18-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
