[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