[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 165 (Friday, August 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21078]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 26, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
50 CFR Part 17

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding for 
a Petition to List the Queen Charlotte Goshawk and Request for 
Additional Information

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition finding.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 90-day 
finding for a petition to list the Queen Charlotte goshawk (Accipiter 
gentilis laingi) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. 
The Service finds that the petition presents substantial information 
indicating the requested action may be warranted. Through issuance of 
this notice, the Service is requesting additional information regarding 
this subspecies.

DATES: The finding announced in this document was made August 19, 1994. 
Comments and materials related to this petition finding may be 
submitted until further notice, but they must be received by November 
25, 1994 to be considered in the 12-month finding.

ADDRESSES: Data, information, comments or questions concerning the 
status of the petitioned subspecies described below should be submitted 
to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological 
Services, 3000 Vintage Blvd., Suite 201, Juneau, Alaska 99801-7100. The 
petition finding, supporting data, and comments are available for 
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Lindell, Endangered Species Biologist (see ADDRESSES above) (907/
586-7240).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the Service make a 
finding on whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species 
presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating 
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 finding is positive, the Service must promptly 
commence a review of the status of the species involved and disclose 
its findings within 12 months (12-month finding).
    On November 21, 1991, the Service published in the Federal Register 
(56 FR 58804) a notice of review for an updated list of animal taxa 
that are being considered for possible addition to the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Among the species included as a 
Category 2 candidate species was the northern goshawk (Accipiter 
gentilis). By inclusion as a subspecies, the Queen Charlotte goshawk 
(Accipiter gentilis laingi) was also designated a Category 2 candidate 
species at that time. Through the publication of that notice, the 
Service announced the possible vulnerability of the Queen Charlotte 
goshawk, initiated a review of subspecies' status, and requested 
additional pertinent information.
    On May 9, 1994, a petition dated May 2, 1994, was received by the 
Service from Mr. Peter Galvin of the Greater Gila Biodiversity Project, 
Silver City, New Mexico, and nine copetitioners, including the 
Southwest Center for Biological Diversity, the Biodiversity Legal 
Foundation, Greater Ecosystem Alliance, Save the West, Save America's 
Forests, Native Forest Network, Native Forest Council, Eric Holle, and 
Don Muller.
    The petitioners request that the Queen Charlotte goshawk be listed 
as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1)) 
because of the following factors:
    1. Present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment 
of habitat and range because of clearcut logging of mature and old 
growth forest;
    2. Increased predation because of increased open area habitat 
caused by clearcut logging;
    3. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms to protect 
preferred habitat from clearcut logging.
    The Service has reviewed the petition, literature cited in the 
petition, and other references available in the Service's files, and 
contacted persons knowledgeable about this subspecies. On the basis of 
the best scientific and commercial information available, the Service 
finds the petition presents substantial information that listing the 
Queen Charlotte goshawk may be warranted.
    As part of an ongoing status review, the Service will further 
evaluate the current status of the Queen Charlotte goshawk and 
determine if listing is warranted for either the entire subspecies or 
certain distinct population segments of the subspecies.
    The Service would appreciate any additional data, comments, and 
suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the 
scientific community, industry, or any other parties concerning the 
status of the Queen Charlotte goshawk.
    The following issues are of particular interest to the Service:
    1. The genetic, morphologic, and ecological differences, including 
variations of intergradation of the Queen Charlotte goshawk within it's 
currently described range, and from adjacent goshawk subspecies.
    2. The range of geographic distribution of goshawks exhibiting the 
described characteristics of the Queen Charlotte goshawk subspecies.
    3. Additional historic and current population data which may assist 
in determining population trends.
    4. The extent and effects of long-term habitat conversion and 
fragmentation of mature forest habitat on Queen Charlotte goshawks and 
their prey.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited in the 90-day finding is 
available upon request (see Addresses section).

Authors

    The primary author of this document is John Lindell, of the 
Juneau, Alaska Ecological Services Office. (See Addresses section).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR part 17

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

Authority

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

    Dated: August 19, 1994.
Bruce Blanchard,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-21078 Filed 8-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M