[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 125 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33784-33785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15975]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding 
for a Petition to List the Queen Charlotte Goshawk as Endangered

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of 12-month petition finding.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 12-month 
finding for a petition to list the Queen Charlotte goshawk (Accipiter 
gentilis laingi) under the Endangered Species Act, as amended. After a 
review of all available scientific information the Service find that 
listing this species is not warranted at this time.

DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on May 19, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Data, information, comments, or questions concerning this 
petition should be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
3000 Vintage Blvd., Suite 201, Juneau, Alaska 99801. 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, Ecological Services (see 
ADDRESSES section) (907/586-7240).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the Service make a 
finding within 12 months of the date of the receipt of a valid petition 
on whether the petitioned action is (a) not warranted, (b) warranted, 
or (c) warranted but precluded from immediate proposal by other pending 
proposals of higher priority.
    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 reviewed for possible addition to the List of Endangered 
and Threatened Wildlife. Among the species included as Category 2 
candidates was the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). By inclusion 
as a subspecies, the Queen Charlotte goshawk was also designated a 
Category 2 species at that time.
    On May 9, 1994, the Service received a petition dated May 2, 1994, 
from the Southwest Center for Biological Diversity, the Greater Gila 
Biodiversity Project, 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 to 
list the Queen Charlotte goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) as 
endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. On August 26, 1994, 
(59 FR 44124) the Service announced a 90-day finding that the petition 
presented substantial information indicating that the requested action 
may be warranted and opened a comment period until November 25, 1994. 
On January 4, 1995, (60 FR 425) the Service extended the comment period 
until February 9, 1995. On February 24, 1995 (60 FR 10344) the Service 
extended the comment period until February 28, 1995.

[[Page 33785]]

    The Service has reviewed the petition, the literature cited in the 
petition, and other literature and information available in the 
Service's files, and contacted persons knowledgeable about this 
species. On the basis of the best scientific and commercial information 
available, the Service findings the petition is not warranted at this 
time.
    In the 90-day finding the Service recognized the petitioners' 
concerns for the long-term survival of the Queen Charlotte goshawk. The 
Service continues to share those concerns. The U.S. Forest Service is 
evaluating its land management practices through the development of 
interim management guidelines to maintain viable populations of native 
wildlife, and considering long-term management actions through revision 
of the Tongass National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The 
Service believes there is opportunity to manage for the long-term 
viability of the goshawk through the implementation of these guidelines 
and the management plan. However, it is clear that without significant 
changes to the existing Tongass National Forest Land and Resource 
Management Plan, the long-term viability of the Queen Charlotte goshawk 
may be seriously imperiled. The Queen Charlotte goshawk will therefore 
be retained on the Service's list as a Category 2 candidate species. If 
additional data become available, the Service may reassess the need to 
list this species.

Author

    The primary author of this document is John Lindell, Endangered 
Species Biologist, Ecological Services (see ADDRESSES section) 
(telephone 907/586-7240).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: May 19, 1995.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-15975 Filed 6-28-95; 8:45 am]
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