Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Four Species Not Warranted for Listing as Endangered or Threatened Species, 44478-44483 [2020-14454]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 142 (Thursday, July 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44478-44483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14454]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[FF09E21000 FXES11110900000 201]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Four Species Not 
Warranted for Listing as Endangered or Threatened Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notification of findings.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 
findings that four species are not warranted for listing as endangered 
or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act). After a thorough review of the best available scientific 
and commercial information, we find that it is not warranted at this 
time to list the Upper Missouri River DPS of Arctic grayling, Elk River 
crayfish, rattlesnake-master borer moth, and northern Virginia well 
amphipod. However, we ask the public to submit to us at any time any 
new information relevant to the status of any of the species mentioned 
above or their habitats.

DATES: The findings in this document were made on July 23, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Detailed descriptions of the bases for these findings are 
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov under the 
following docket numbers:

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               Species                            Docket No.
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Arctic grayling.....................  FWS-R6-ES-2020-0024.
Elk River crayfish..................  FWS-R5-ES-2020-0025.
Northern Virginia well amphipod.....  FWS-R5-ES-2020-0026.
Rattlesnake-master borer moth.......  FWS-R3-ES-2020-0027.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Supporting information used to prepare this finding is available 
for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours by 
contacting the appropriate person as specified under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. Please submit any new information, materials, 
comments, or questions concerning this finding to the appropriate 
person, as specified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

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              Species                        Contact information
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Arctic grayling...................  Jodi Bush, Project Leader, Montana
                                     Field Office, 406-449-5225 x205,
                                     [email protected].
Elk River crayfish and northern     Martin Miller, Threatened and
 Virginia well amphipod.             Endangered Species Chief, North
                                     Atlantic-Appalachian Regional
                                     Office, 413-253-8615,
                                     [email protected].
Rattlesnake-master borer moth.....  Kraig McPeek, Field Supervisor,
                                     Illinois-Iowa Field Office, 309-757-
                                     5800, [email protected].
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we 
are required to make a finding whether or not a petitioned action is 
warranted within 12 months after receiving any petition for which we 
have determined contains substantial scientific or commercial 
information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted 
(``12-month finding''). We must make a finding that the petitioned 
action is: (1) Not warranted; (2) warranted; or (3) warranted but 
precluded. We must publish a notice of these 12-month findings in the 
Federal Register.

Summary of Information Pertaining to the Five Factors

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and the implementing 
regulations at part 424 of title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(50 CFR part 424) set forth procedures for adding species to, removing 
species from, or reclassifying species on the Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists). The Act defines ``species'' as 
any subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, and any distinct 
population segment of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife which 
interbreeds when mature. The Act defines ``endangered species'' as any 
species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant 
portion of its range (16 U.S.C. 1532(6)), and ``threatened species'' as 
any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the 
foreseeable future

[[Page 44479]]

throughout all or a significant portion of its range (16 U.S.C. 
1532(20)). Under section 4(a)(1) of the Act, a species may be 
determined to be an endangered species or a threatened species because 
of any of the following five factors:
    (A) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of its habitat or range;
    (B) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes;
    (C) Disease or predation;
    (D) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
    (E) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued 
existence.
    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 negatively 
affect individuals of a species. 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) does not necessarily mean that the 
species meets the statutory definition of an ``endangered species'' or 
a ``threatened species.'' In determining whether a species meets either 
definition, we must evaluate all identified threats by considering the 
expected response by the species, and the effects of the threats--in 
light of those actions and conditions that will ameliorate the 
threats--on an individual, population, and species level. We evaluate 
each threat and its expected effects on the species, then analyze the 
cumulative effect of all 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 will have positive effects on the species, 
such as any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation efforts. The 
Secretary determines whether the species meets the definition of an 
``endangered species'' or a ``threatened species'' only after 
conducting this cumulative analysis and describing the expected effect 
on the species now and in the foreseeable future.
    The Act does not define the term ``foreseeable future,'' which 
appears in the statutory definition of ``threatened species.'' Our 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.11(d) set forth a framework for 
evaluating the foreseeable future on a case-by-case basis. The term 
``foreseeable future'' extends only so far into the future as the 
Service can reasonably determine that both the future threats and the 
species' responses to those threats are likely. In other words, the 
foreseeable future is the period of time in which we can make reliable 
predictions. ``Reliable'' does not mean ``certain''; it means 
sufficient to provide a reasonable degree of confidence in the 
prediction. Thus, a prediction is reliable if it is reasonable to 
depend on it when making decisions.
    It is not always possible or necessary to define foreseeable future 
as a particular number of years. Analysis of the foreseeable future 
uses the best scientific and commercial data available and should 
consider the timeframes applicable to the relevant threats and to the 
species' likely responses to those threats in view of its life-history 
characteristics. Data that are typically relevant to assessing the 
species' biological response include species-specific factors such as 
lifespan, reproductive rates or productivity, certain behaviors, and 
other demographic factors.
    In considering whether a species may meet the definition of an 
endangered species or a threatened species because of any of the five 
factors, we must look beyond the mere exposure of the species to the 
stressor to determine whether the species responds to the stressor in a 
way that causes actual impacts to the species. If there is exposure to 
a stressor, but no response, or only a positive response, that stressor 
does not cause a species to meet the definition of an endangered 
species or a threatened species. If there is exposure and the species 
responds negatively, we determine whether that stressor drives or 
contributes to the risk of extinction of the species such that the 
species warrants listing as an endangered or threatened species. The 
mere identification of stressors that could affect a species negatively 
is not sufficient to compel a finding that listing is or remains 
warranted. For a species to be listed or remain listed, we require 
evidence that these stressors are operative threats to the species and 
its habitat, either singly or in combination, to the point that the 
species meets the definition of an endangered or a threatened species 
under the Act.
    In conducting our evaluation of the five factors provided in 
section 4(a)(1) of the Act to determine whether the Upper Missouri 
River DPS of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus), Elk River crayfish 
(Cambarus elkensis), rattlesnake-master borer moth (Papaipema eryngii), 
and northern Virginia well amphipod (Stygobromus phreaticus) meet the 
definition of ``endangered species'' or ``threatened species,'' we 
considered and thoroughly evaluated the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future stressors 
and threats. We reviewed the petitions, information available in our 
files, and other available published and unpublished information. Our 
evaluation may include information from recognized experts; Federal, 
State, and tribal governments; academic institutions; foreign 
governments; private entities; and other members of the public.
    The species assessment forms for the Upper Missouri River DPS of 
Arctic grayling, Elk River crayfish, rattlesnake-master borer moth, and 
northern Virginia well amphipod contain more detailed biological 
information, a thorough analysis of the listing factors, and an 
explanation of why we determined that these species do not meet the 
definition of an endangered species or a threatened species. This 
supporting information can be found on the internet at HYPERLINK 
``https://www.regulations.gov'' https://www.regulations.gov under the 
appropriate docket number (see ADDRESSES, above). The following are 
informational summaries for the findings in this document.

Upper Missouri River DPS of Arctic Grayling

Previous Federal Actions
    We have published a number of documents on Arctic grayling since 
1982, and have been involved in litigation over previous findings. We 
describe the most recent previous federal actions that are relevant to 
this finding below.
    On October 9, 1991, the Biodiversity Legal Foundation and George 
Wuerthner petitioned us to list the fluvial (riverine) populations of 
Arctic grayling in the Upper Missouri River basin as an endangered 
species throughout the historical range in the coterminous United 
States. We subsequently published several 90-day and 12-month findings 
on that petition (58 FR 4975, January 19, 1993; 59 FR 37738, July 25, 
1994; 72 FR 20305, April 24, 2007; 75 FR 54708, September 8,

[[Page 44480]]

2010), some of which were challenged in court.
    On August 20, 2014, we published a revised 12-month finding on the 
petition to list the Upper Missouri River DPS of Arctic grayling (79 FR 
49384), fulfilling our commitments under the multi-district litigation 
(MDL) case (Endangered Species Act Section 4 Deadline Litig., Misc. 
Action No. 10-377 (EGS), MDL Docket No. 2165 (D. DC)). In the August 
20, 2014, finding, we determined that listing the DPS was not 
warranted, and we removed the DPS from the candidate list. We concluded 
that habitat-related threats previously identified, including habitat 
fragmentation, dewatering, thermal stress, entrainment, riparian 
habitat loss, and effects from climate change, had been sufficiently 
ameliorated and that 19 of 20 populations of Arctic grayling were 
either stable or increasing.
    On February 5, 2015, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), 
Western Watersheds Project, and two individuals filed a complaint 
against the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Service 
challenging our August 20, 2014, revised 12-month finding that the 
Upper Missouri River DPS of Arctic grayling did not warrant listing as 
a threatened species or endangered species (Center for Biological 
Diversity v. Jewell, No. 2:15-cv-00004-SEH (D. Mont. 2016)). Plaintiffs 
also brought a facial challenge to the Service's Final Policy on 
Significant Portion of its Range (SPR Policy; 79 FR 37578, July 1, 
2014), arguing that the SPR Policy was contrary to case law in defining 
a species' range to only include current range and not historical 
range. The district court found for the government on all claims, and 
the plaintiffs appealed.
    On August 17, 2018, the Court of Appeals affirmed in part and 
reversed in part (Center for Biological Diversity v. Zinke, No. 16-
35866, 900 F. 3d 1053 (9th Cir. 2018)). The court agreed with the 
district court that we permissibly defined ``range'' as current range 
in the SPR Policy. However, that court found that we erred in the 
listing finding in four ways: (1) We should not have concluded that the 
Big Hole River grayling population was increasing when available 
biological information showed that the population was declining; (2) we 
should not have relied on cold water refugia in the Big Hole River, 
because we did not adequately address information showing that river 
will experience low stream flows and high water temperatures; (3) we 
did not adequately explain why the uncertainty presented by climate 
change with regard to low stream flows and higher water temperatures 
did not weigh in favor of listing the grayling; and (4) we arbitrarily 
relied on the Ruby River grayling population to provide redundancy for 
the grayling outside of the Big Hole River. The court upheld the 
finding in all other respects, including our analysis of cold water 
refugia other than in the Big Hole River, and our conclusion that small 
population size did not pose a risk to genetic viability of the 
grayling.
    The court vacated the finding and remanded it to us to reconsider 
in light of the court's opinion, and ordered that we make one of the 
findings set forth in 16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(B)(i) through (iii) for the 
Upper Missouri River DPS. Further, the court required that we submit 
such finding to the Office of the Federal Register no later than July 
1, 2020. This constitutes our revised finding.
Summary of Finding
    The Arctic grayling is a fish belonging to the family Salmonidae 
(salmon, trout, charr, whitefishes), subfamily Thymallinae (graylings), 
and it is represented by a single genus, Thymallus. Arctic grayling are 
native to Arctic Ocean drainages of Alaska and northwestern Canada, as 
far east as Hudson's Bay, and westward across northern Eurasia to the 
Ural Mountains. This finding pertains to Arctic grayling in the Upper 
Missouri River basin in Montana and Wyoming, which we have determined 
are discrete (due to marked separation from other native populations) 
and significant (they occur in a unique ecological setting, are 
separated from other Arctic grayling populations by a large gap in 
their range, and differ markedly in their genetic characteristics 
relative to other Arctic grayling populations), and therefore qualify 
as a DPS under the Act; for a more detailed discussion of our DPS 
analysis, please refer to our August 20, 2014, 12-month finding (79 FR 
49392-49396).
    Arctic grayling occupy a variety of habitats including small 
streams, large rivers, lakes, and bogs (Northcote 1995, pp. 152-153; 
Scott and Crossman 1998, p. 303), and have defined thermal tolerances. 
Arctic grayling of all ages feed primarily on aquatic and terrestrial 
invertebrates captured on or near the water surface, but also will feed 
opportunistically on fish and fish eggs (Northcote 1995, pp. 153-154; 
Behnke 2002, p. 328). Arctic grayling in the Upper Missouri River basin 
exhibit a spectrum of life histories. Some Arctic grayling spend their 
entire lives in flowing water (often referred to as fluvial), some 
primarily reside in lakes and only use flowing water for spawning 
(often referred to as adfluvial), and others appear to use some 
combination of both strategies.
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to the Upper Missouri River DPS of Arctic grayling, and we evaluated 
all relevant factors under the five listing factors, including any 
regulatory mechanisms and conservation measures addressing these 
stressors. We evaluated stressors potentially affecting the DPS's 
biological status, including curtailment of range and distribution, 
dams on mainstem rivers, water management in the Upper Missouri River 
basin, habitat fragmentation/smaller seasonal barriers, degradation of 
riparian habitat, dewatering from irrigation and increased water 
temperatures, entrainment, sedimentation, overwinter conditions, 
climate change, recreational angling, scientific/population monitoring, 
disease, predation by and competition with nonnative trout, predation 
by birds and mammals, drought, stochastic threats, genetic diversity 
and small population size, and cumulative effects from climate change 
interacting with other factors.
    Overall, we found that the potential threats we evaluated are 
having minimal impacts in most populations within the DPS. Fifteen out 
of the 19 populations occur in high-elevation lakes primarily on high-
quality habitats on Federal land, are considered stable, and have 
minimal to no impacts from stressors. The other four populations have a 
fluvial component, and of these, the Big Hole River represents 60 
percent of the total riverine miles within the DPS. Within the Big Hole 
River, many years of management, including 13 years of implementation 
of the Big Hole candidate conservation agreement with assurances 
(CCAA), have addressed many past threats, and resulted in both 
improvements in habitat conditions and increases in the number of 
effective breeders as concluded from recent monitoring. All demographic 
and genetic studies of Big Hole River Arctic grayling are consistent 
and clearly show a historical decline (1980s-2006) in Arctic grayling 
due to a multitude of habitat-related threats. Since 2006, those 
threats have been strategically and systematically addressed or 
minimized and as a result of improvements to habitat and other 
conservation actions (increased streamflows, increased riparian habitat 
health, decreased water temperatures, increased connectivity and access 
to thermal refugia), the number of effective breeders in the Big

[[Page 44481]]

Hole River has increased significantly by 111 percent, on average, and 
genetic diversity is high and stable.. Therefore, there is currently a 
high level of resilience in most populations within the DPS.
    The fact that the species still occupies 7 out of 10 historical 
watersheds, and is spread across 19 populations, provides a high level 
of redundancy in the case of a catastrophic event. There is also a high 
level of within-system redundancy in the Big Hole River, which includes 
199 river miles of both mainstem and tributary habitat for the Arctic 
grayling, such that no single catastrophic event would be expected to 
impact the entire Big Hole River population. Further, the other three 
primarily fluvial systems provide additional redundancy, including the 
Ruby River population which met the criteria for a viable population in 
the Montana Fluvial Arctic Grayling Restoration Plan and objectives in 
the Upper Ruby River Fluvial Arctic Grayling Reintroduction Plan. The 
presence of populations from the full spectrum of life histories, as 
well as the presence of moderate to high levels of genetic diversity 
within many populations, provides representation.
    We also considered the viability of the DPS into the foreseeable 
future. Despite projected increases in temperature and frequency of 
drought, 15 out of 19 populations in the DPS are currently in lake 
habitats that will likely not be affected significantly by climate 
change due to their high elevation, intact riparian areas, and cool 
inputs of tributary water. Riparian restoration, particularly in the 
Big Hole River, has been empirically shown to minimize the effects of 
increasing water temperatures due to climate change. Since 2006, 
multiple projects have been implemented to decrease dewatering and 
thermal stress and have resulted in increased streamflows, increased 
access to cold-water refugia, and marked temperature reductions. These 
improvements mitigate warming water temperatures due to climate change, 
and the CCAA projects have led to shorter durations of stressful water 
temperatures. In the future, we do not expect habitat to decline in the 
Big Hole River because of the proven track record of CCAA projects. 
With respect to nonnative fish, we expect that impacts to Arctic 
grayling populations will be low, as nonnatives have co-existed with 
some lake populations for many decades. Given the lack of stressors 
that are projected to occur in the future, as well as the projected 
continued resilience of most populations within the DPS, we expect that 
levels of redundancy and representation will also be maintained into 
the future.
    We also identified two potential portions of the range to see if 
they warranted further consideration as potential significant portions 
of the range; these are (1) the Madison River and (2) a group including 
the four populations with a fluvial component. However, as explained in 
our full revised 12-month finding (available on https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2020-0024), we found 
that neither of these portions is both significant and in danger of 
extinction or likely to become so in the foreseeable future, and 
therefore neither warrants further consideration as a significant 
portion of the range.
    Therefore, we find that listing the Upper Missouri River DPS of 
Arctic grayling as an endangered species or threatened species under 
the Act is not warranted. A detailed discussion of the basis for this 
finding can be found in our full revised 12-month finding (available on 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2020-0024).

Elk River Crayfish

Previous Federal Actions
    On April 20, 2010, we received a petition from the Center for 
Biological Diversity, Alabama Rivers Alliance, Clinch Coalition, 
Dogwood Alliance, Gulf Restoration Network, Tennessee Forests Council, 
and West Virginia Highlands Conservancy to list 404 aquatic, riparian, 
and wetland species, including the Elk River crayfish, as endangered or 
threatened species under the Act. On September 27, 2011, we published a 
90-day finding in the Federal Register (76 FR 59836), concluding that 
the petition presented substantial information indicating that listing 
the Elk River crayfish may be warranted. This notice constitutes the 
12-month finding on the April 20, 2010, petition to list the Elk River 
crayfish under the Act.
Summary of Finding
    The palm-sized Elk River crayfish is found in the upper and middle 
sections of West Virginia's Elk River main stem and/or tributaries, 
including these Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 10 watersheds: Upper Elk 
River, Holly River, Middle Elk River, Laurel Creek, Birch River, and 
Lower Elk River in Pocahontas, Randolph, Webster, Braxton, Nicholas, 
and Clay Counties. The best available data suggest that the species' 
range has not changed significantly.
    The Elk River crayfish has four life stages: Egg; hatchling that is 
dependent upon the female; juvenile which undergoes a series of four to 
five molts allowing it to grow and its shell to harden; and adult that 
becomes reproductive in 2.5 to 3 years, has one reproductive event per 
year once mature, and may live up to 5 years. Molting is a vulnerable 
life stage for crayfish because, during molting, crayfish are soft and 
unable to move effectively, making them susceptible to predation, as 
well as being more sensitive to contaminants and water-quality 
degradation. The species is assumed to be an opportunistic omnivore 
feeding on a wide variety of items, including aquatic and terrestrial 
vegetation, plant detritus, insects, snails, and small aquatic 
vertebrates. Habitat elements that are important to the Elk River 
crayfish include moderately sized, stable stream channels with riffles, 
runs, or pools that have some current and low levels of sedimentation; 
unembedded stream substrates that have larger particle sizes and 
provide instream cover; and healthy riparian and instream 
characteristics (e.g., adequate riparian cover to moderate temperature 
and sedimentation, appropriate prey resources, and sufficient water 
chemistry).
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to the Elk River crayfish, and we evaluated all relevant factors under 
the five listing factors, including any regulatory mechanisms and 
conservation measures addressing these stressors. The primary stressors 
affecting the Elk River crayfish's biological status include changes 
to: (1) The species' population demographics (i.e., distribution and 
abundance, and connectivity); (2) the quality of instream breeding, 
feeding, and sheltering features (i.e., level of sedimentation, which 
is affected by flooding and energy development activities); (3) water 
quality; and (4) riparian conditions. While some currently suitable 
habitat will become less suitable and two HUC 10 watersheds are 
projected to become extirpated within the foreseeable future, the 
species' distribution and abundance within remaining higher quality 
habitat that support its needs ensures that the Elk River crayfish will 
persist.
    Our review of the best available scientific and commercial 
information indicates that the Elk River crayfish does not meet the 
definition of an endangered species or a threatened species in 
accordance with sections 3(6) and 3(20) of the Act. Therefore, we find

[[Page 44482]]

that listing the Elk River crayfish is not warranted at this time. A 
detailed discussion of the basis for this finding can be found in the 
Elk River crayfish's species assessment and other supporting documents 
(see ADDRESSES, above).

Rattlesnake-Master Borer Moth

Previous Federal Actions
    On June 25, 2007, we received a petition, dated June 18, 2007, from 
Forest Guardians (now WildEarth Guardians), requesting that the 
rattlesnake-master borer moth be listed as either endangered or 
threatened under the Act with critical habitat. On December 16, 2009, 
we published a 90-day finding in the Federal Register (74 FR 66866), 
concluding that the petition presented substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that listing may be warranted. On 
August 14, 2013, we published a 12-month finding in the Federal 
Register (78 FR 49422) in which we stated that listing the rattlesnake-
master borer moth as endangered or threatened was warranted. However, 
listing was precluded at that time by higher priority actions, and the 
species was added to the candidate species list. The species was 
assigned a listing priority number of 8, because it faced moderate to 
low magnitude, imminent threats, and is a valid taxon at the species 
level. From 2014 through 2019, we addressed the status of the 
rattlesnake-master borer moth in our candidate notice of review, with 
the determination that listing was warranted but precluded (see 79 FR 
72450, December 5, 2014; 80 FR 80584, December 24, 2015; 81 FR 87246, 
December 2, 2016; 84 FR 54732, October 10, 2019).
Summary of Finding
    The rattlesnake-master borer moth is a small, purple-brown moth, 
measuring 3.5-4.8 centimeters (1.4-1.9 inches) with small, scattered 
yellow and white spots. The species is currently found in Arkansas, 
Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Oklahoma, and is considered 
extirpated from Iowa and North Carolina. At the time of the 12-month 
finding in 2013, 16 extant populations of the rattlesnake-master borer 
moth were known. Subsequently, the species has been documented in 55 
sites or populations.
    The rattlesnake-master borer moth inhabits primarily high-quality 
remnant prairies and also some grassland, savanna, barrens, glades, and 
open woodland habitats. The only host plant for the moth is the 
rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium), on which the moth larvae 
develop and eggs overwinter. The species' habitat requires periodic 
disturbance to prevent woody encroachment.
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to the rattlesnake-master borer moth, and we evaluated all relevant 
factors under the five listing factors, including any regulatory 
mechanisms and conservation measures addressing these stressors. The 
primary stressors affecting the rattlesnake-master borer moth's 
biological status include management actions (e.g., grazing, mowing, 
prescribed fire), the natural fire regime, and habitat loss and 
fragmentation. We also assessed impacts to the rattlesnake-master borer 
moth from the effects of climate change. Currently, the rattlesnake-
master borer moth has multiple resilient populations across the breadth 
of its environmental variation. In the future, we anticipate a maximum 
of 12 small populations may be lost. However, the overall impact to the 
species would be low, as the 17 highly resilient populations, 
representing 89 percent of the acreage for the species, are expected to 
remain, and no loss of range is predicted to occur. We anticipate the 
rattlesnake-master borer moth to maintain adequate resiliency, 
redundancy, and representation to withstand catastrophic events and 
adapt to changing conditions.
    Our review of the best available scientific and commercial 
information indicates that the rattlesnake-master borer moth does not 
meet the definition of an endangered species or a threatened species in 
accordance with sections 3(6) and 3(20) of the Act. Therefore, we find 
that listing the rattlesnake-master borer moth is not warranted at this 
time. A detailed discussion of the basis for this finding can be found 
in the rattlesnake-master borer moth species assessment and other 
supporting documents (see ADDRESSES, above).

Northern Virginia Well Amphipod

Previous Federal Actions
    We initiated a discretionary status review for the northern 
Virginia well amphipod in fiscal year 2018. The species had previously 
been petitioned in 2001, with two other invertebrates, but we found the 
petition to be not substantial in 2007 (72 FR 51766; September 11, 
2007). Since 2001, the species has been covered under the Department of 
Defense U.S. Army's Fort Belvoir Installation's (Fort Belvoir) 
integrated natural resources management plan (INRMP).
Summary of Finding
    The northern Virginia well amphipod is a small (7.0 millimeter 
(0.28 inch) or less) groundwater aquifer crustacean and is currently 
known from a single location on Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, 
Virginia. It was historically known from two other locations in Fairfax 
County. This location consists of a seep/spring within a wooded ravine 
where groundwater discharges from the subterranean habitat after high 
precipitation events.
    Detailed hydrogeological studies suggest that the amphipod may 
inhabit `macropores' (cavities and channels within the ravine wall 
formed when sandy substrates erode while surrounding clay substrate 
persists) and/or a deep (i.e., non-surficial) aquifer characterized by 
a unique chemical signature of high conductivity, high dissolved 
solids, and low organic content. The diet, water quality tolerances, 
and behavioral traits of the amphipod have not been documented. We 
infer, based on general principles of conservation biology, general 
information about other groundwater species, and local information from 
where the amphipods have been observed, that the amphipod requires 
sufficient ``space'' in which to find food and to reproduce, and that 
this ``space'' may equate to either the macropores of the seep/spring 
areas, the sediments of the deeper aquifer, or both. Although we do not 
know the specific needs of the northern Virginia well amphipod, we 
infer that a species generally requires a stable or positive population 
growth rate to remain healthy. We do not know the species' population 
size or trend, but instead rely on the best available habitat 
parameters as a surrogate for population and species health.
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to the northern Virginia well amphipod, and we evaluated all relevant 
factors under the five listing factors, including any regulatory 
mechanisms and conservation measures addressing these stressors. The 
primary stressors affecting the northern Virginia well amphipod's 
biological status include changes to groundwater quality and quantity 
and the extent of impervious cover in likely recharge zones, which 
affects the quality and quantity of water entering aquifers. We also 
evaluated the implementation of conservation actions, primarily Fort 
Belvoir's INRMP, which includes the amphipod as a covered species. We 
conclude that the species' subsurface needs are currently being met by

[[Page 44483]]

suitable surface habitat conditions and lack of substantial impacts to 
water quality, and that those conditions will continue to persist 
within the foreseeable future.
    Our review of the best available scientific and commercial 
information indicates that the northern Virginia well amphipod does not 
meet the definition of an endangered species or a threatened species in 
accordance with sections 3(6) and 3(20) of the Act. Therefore, we find 
that listing the northern Virginia well amphipod is not warranted at 
this time. A detailed discussion of the basis for this finding can be 
found in the northern Virginia well amphipod's species assessment and 
other supporting documents (see ADDRESSES, above).

New Information

    We request that you submit any new information concerning the 
taxonomy of, biology of, ecology of, status of, or stressors to the 
Upper Missouri River DPS of Arctic grayling, Elk River crayfish, 
rattlesnake-master borer moth, and northern Virginia well amphipod to 
the appropriate person, as specified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT, whenever it becomes available. New information will help us 
monitor these species and make appropriate decisions about their 
conservation and status. We encourage local agencies and stakeholders 
to continue cooperative monitoring and conservation efforts.

References Cited

    A list of the references cited in the petition finding are 
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the 
appropriate docket provided above in ADDRESSES and upon request from 
the appropriate person, as specified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

Authors

    The primary authors of this document are the staff members of the 
Species Assessment Team, Ecological Services Program.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4 of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Aurelia Skipwith,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14454 Filed 7-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P