[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21865]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 6, 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 90-Day
Finding on Petition to List the Colton Sand Dune Jerusalem Cricket as
Endangered
agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
action: Notice of petition finding.
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summary: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 90-day
petition finding to list the Colton sand dune Jerusalem cricket
(Stenopelmatus sp.) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (Act). The Service finds that substantial information
has not been presented to indicate that the requested action may be
warranted.
dates: The finding announced in this notice was made on August 23,
1994. Comments and materials regarding this petition finding may be
submitted to the Field Supervisor at the address listed below until
further notice.
addresses: Information, comments, or questions regarding this petition
finding should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Field Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West,
Carlsbad, California 92008. The petition, the Service's finding, and
additional information are available for public inspection, by
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.
for further information contact: Marjorie Nelson, biologist, at the
above address (telephone 619/431-9440).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species 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 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.
On January 11, 1994, the Service received a petition to list the
Colton sand dune Jerusalem cricket (Stenopelmatus sp.) as endangered
from Dr. David Weissman of the California Academy of Sciences. The
letter from Dr. Weissman, dated January 4, 1994, clearly identified
itself as a petition and contained the names, signature, and address of
the petitioner. A letter acknowledging receipt of the petition by the
Service was sent to the petitioner on January 31, 1994.
The petitioner stated that the Colton sand dune Jerusalem cricket
merits protection under the Act because of: (1) Threats to its habitat,
(2) information indicating that this insect is known from only two sand
dune areas in southwestern San Bernardino County, California, and (3)
the cricket occurs in the same habitat as the federally listed
endangered species Delhi Sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas
terminatus abdominalis).
The Service's finding is based on information contained in the
petition, conversations with the petitioner, and additional information
provided to the Service by the petitioner in a letter dated March 29,
1994. All documents are on file in the Carlsbad Field Office (see
ADDRESSES section).
Adequate rangewide surveys have not been completed for the Colton
sand dune Jerusalem cricket. The Service lacks evidence of specific
threats to the petitioned insect, especially any threat associated with
a population decline. The insect covered by this petition may be
sensitive to ecological perturbations resulting from the impacts of
human activities. However, information was not presented to show
correlations between the insect's ecological sensitivity and population
trends. No information exists to support an assumption that the Colton
sand dune Jerusalem cricket has been substantially depleted or is
subject to serious threats throughout all or a significant portion of
its range. Moreover, given that the insect has yet to be formally
described, the taxonomic distinctiveness or validity of the species has
not been determined.
The Service has carefully reviewed the petition. On the basis of
the best scientific and commercial information currently available, the
Service has determined that the petition does not present substantial
information indicating that the requested action may be warranted.
However, the Service is interested in any additional information about
the Colton sand dune Jerusalem cricket that may be available. Please
submit any additional information to the Carlsbad Field Office (see
ADDRESSES section).
Author
This notice was prepared by Marjorie Nelson (see ADDRESSES
section).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544.
Dated: August 23, 1994.
Bruce Blanchard,
Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-21865 Filed 9-2-94; 8:45 am]
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