[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1373]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 227

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding for 
a Petition To List the Anadromous Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) 
Populations in the United States as Endangered or Threatened

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior; National Marine Fisheries 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of petition finding and request for information.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (collectively, the ``Services'') announce a 90-day 
finding for a petition to add the anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo 
salar) populations occurring in the conterminous United States to the 
list of threatened and endangered wildlife and to designate critical 
habitat. The Services find that the petition presents substantial 
information indicating that the requested action may be warranted. The 
Services are initiating a status review to determine if the petitioned 
action is warranted. To assure the review is comprehensive, the 
Services are soliciting information and data on this species from any 
interested party.

DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on January 10, 
1994. Comments and materials related to this petition finding may be 
submitted to the Chief, Division of Endangered Species, at the ADDRESS 
below until April 20, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Information, comments, or questions concerning the Atlantic 
salmon petition should be submitted to the Chief, Division of 
Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center 
Drive, Hadley, Massachusetts 01035. The petition, finding, supporting 
data, and comments are available for public inspection, by appointment, 
Monday through Friday at the above address between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul R. Nickerson (413-253-8615) at the above address or Douglas W. 
Beach (508-281-9254) of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) (16 U.S.C. 
1531-1544) requires that the Services make a finding on whether a 
petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species presents substantial 
scientific or commercial information to indicate that the petitioned 
action may be warranted. To the maximum extent practicable, this 
finding is to be made within 90 days of the receipt of the petition, 
and the finding is to be published promptly in the Federal Register. If 
the Services find that a petition presents substantial information 
indicating that the requested action may be warranted, section 
4(b)(3)(B) of the Act requires the Services to make a finding as to 
whether or not the petitioned action is warranted within one year of 
the receipt of the petition.
    On October 1, 1993, the Fish and Wildlife Service received a 
petition from RESTORE: The North Woods, the Biodiversity Legal 
Foundation, and Jeffrey Elliot to list anadromous Atlantic salmon 
throughout its known historic range in the conterminous United States, 
and to designate critical habitat. An identical petition was received 
by the National Marine Fisheries Service on November 9, 1993. In 
response to the petition, the Services are conducting a joint status 
review. The petitioners presented current and historical information on 
salmon populations; identified possible threats, including commercial 
and sport fishing, pollution, barriers, land use practices, and genetic 
disruption; and cited numerous scientific articles to support the 
petition.
    The anadromous Atlantic salmon populations in New England consist 
primarily of river runs restored or enhanced by fish of hatchery 
origin. Adult fish are captured upon returning, spawned in hatcheries, 
and their offspring are used to maintain the runs. In addition, 
juvenile offspring of sea-run stock are reared in captivity to sexual 
maturity, and their offspring are then released into the wild as fry. 
Major river populations, notably the Penobscot, Connecticut, and 
Merrimack Rivers, have been partially restored during the past 10 to 25 
years after virtually, if not completely, disappearing. To the best of 
the Services' knowledge, the only remaining populations that are 
believed to consist, at least in part, of native fish in U.S. rivers 
occur in seven Downeast Maine rivers: the Dennys, Machias, East 
Machias, Narraguagus, Pleasant, Ducktrap, and Sheepscot Rivers. In the 
November 21, 1991, Animal Notice of Review (56 FR 58804), those 
populations in all but the Ducktrap and Sheepscot Rivers were 
designated as category 2 candidate species.
    If it is determined that listing the species is warranted, then the 
Services will examine the need to designate critical habitat for 
anadromous Atlantic salmon. At that time, the Services would consider 
those physical and biological features that are essential to the 
conservation of the species and that may require special management or 
protection.
    The Services find that the petitioner has presented substantial 
information indicating that the requested action may be warranted. This 
finding is based on the scientific and commercial information contained 
in the petition, referenced in the petition, and otherwise available at 
this time.

Listing Factors and Basis for Determination

    Under section 4(a)(1) of the Act, a species can be determined to be 
endangered or threatened for any of the following reasons: (1) Present 
or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat 
or range; (2) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, 
or educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors 
affecting its continued existence. Listing determinations are made 
solely on the best scientific and commercial data available after 
taking into account any efforts made by any state or foreign nation to 
protect the species.

Information Solicited

    To ensure that the review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial data, the Services are soliciting 
information concerning the following: (1) Whether any anadromous 
Atlantic salmon populations constitute distinct population segments, 
(2) abundance and distribution of anadromous Atlantic salmon, and (3) 
whether or not any population is endangered or threatened based upon 
the above listing criteria. Specifically, the Services are soliciting 
detailed information in the following areas: influence of historical 
and present hatchery fish releases on naturally occurring stocks of 
Atlantic salmon, separation of hatchery and natural Atlantic salmon 
stocks, alteration of Atlantic salmon freshwater and marine habitats, 
age structure of Atlantic salmon populations, and migration timing and 
behavior of juvenile and adult Atlantic salmon. The Services request 
that data, information and comments be accompanied by (1) supporting 
documentation such as maps, bibliographic reference, or reprints of 
pertinent publications; and (2) the person's name, address, and any 
association, institution, or business that the person represents. Such 
information may be submitted to the above address.

List of Subjects

50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.

50 CFR Part 227

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Marine 
mammals, Transportation.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544.

    Dated: January 10, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
Rolland A. Schmitten,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-1373 Filed 1-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M