[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2331]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 2, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Status 
Review for the Lynx

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of status review.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces 
continuation of a rangewide status review for the lynx (Felis lynx 
canadensis), a category 2 candidate species. As a result of a court 
challenge by petitioners, the Service has agreed to complete a 
rangewide status review. The Service solicits any information, data, 
comments, and suggestions from the public, other concerned government 
agencies, the scientific community, industry, or other interested 
parties concerning the biological status of this species. The Service 
will complete the status review and publish its finding no later than 
November 15, 1994.

DATES: Comments and data from all interested parties will be accepted 
until further notice but must be received by July 1, 1994, to be 
included in the November finding.

ADDRESSES: Comments and materials should be sent to the Field 
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 100 North Park, suite 320, 
Helena, Montana 59601. Comments received will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Mr. Kemper McMaster at the above 
address (406/449-5322).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 22, 1991, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
received a petition from the National Audubon Society, The Humane 
Society of the United States, Defenders of Wildlife, Greater Ecosystem 
Alliance, Friends of the Loomis Forest, Methrow Valley Forest Watch, 
Save Chelan Alliance, Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society, Tonasker 
Forest Watch, Pilchuck Audubon Society, North Cascades Audubon Society, 
and Sierra Club Cascade Chapter to list the North American lynx of the 
North Cascades ecosystem of Washington as an endangered species under 
the emergency provisions of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, 
as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and to designate critical habitat. 
The Service made a 90-day finding on February 4, 1992, that substantial 
information had not been presented to indicate that listing the lynx in 
the North Cascades may be warranted. Notice of the finding was 
published in the Federal Register on October 6, 1992 (57 FR 46007).
    On August 10, 1992, the petitioners filed suit in the United States 
District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle 
challenging the not substantial finding made by the Service. The 
Service agreed to reevaluate its 90-day finding. On July 1, 1993, the 
Service found pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 
1533(b)(3)(A), that substantial scientific or commercial evidence was 
not available to indicate that the lynx population in the North 
Cascades should be listed as endangered. The notice of that finding was 
published July 9, 1993 (58 FR 36924). The July finding supersedes the 
February finding. The July notice expressed the Service's belief that a 
rangewide status review should be conducted. Because of that statement, 
petitioners and the Service were able to come to an agreement to settle 
the pending lawsuit based on a commitment to complete the review by 
November 15, 1994.
    The Service has been soliciting information on the status of the 
lynx since the species first appeared on the September 18, 1985, Animal 
Notice of Review as a category 2 candidate species. The Service 
acknowledges that evidence exists indicating that an in-depth rangewide 
status review for the lynx, a category 2 candidate species, should be 
continued. The Service solicits any information, data, comments, and 
suggestions from the public, other concerned government agencies, the 
scientific community, industry, or other interested parties concerning 
the biological status of this species. The Service will complete the 
status review and publish its finding no later than November 15, 1994.

Authors

    This notice was prepared by Ms. Anne Vandehey at the Service's 
Helena Office (see ADDRESSES above) and Dr. James L. Miller, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, 
Colorado 80225.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

    Dated: January 26, 1994.
John L. Spinks, Jr.,
Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-2331 Filed 2-1-94; 8:45 am]
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