Department of the Interior December 15, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a 90-day finding on two petitions to list nine species of freshwater mussels, the Texas fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata), Texas heelsplitter (Potamilus amphichaenus), Salina mucket (Potamilus metnecktayi), golden orb (Quadrula aurea), smooth pimpleback (Quadrula houstonensis), Texas pimpleback (Quadrula petrina), false spike (Quincuncina mitchelli), Mexican fawnsfoot (Truncilla cognata), and Texas fawnsfoot (Truncilla macrodon), as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) and designate critical habitat. Based on our review, we find that the petitions present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing these species may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a status review of the nine species of mussels to determine if listing them is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding these species. At the conclusion of this review, we will issue a 12-month finding on the petitions, which will