[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19449-19450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8295]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 
the Bull Trout

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of review.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announces a 5-
year review of the bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) under section 
4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.). The purpose of reviews conducted under this section of the 
Act is to ensure that the classification of species as threatened or 
endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants 
(List) is accurate.
    The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and 
commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we are 
requesting submission of any new information (best scientific and 
commercial data) on the bull trout since its original listing as a 
threatened species conterminously in the lower 48 states in 1999 (64 FR 
58932). If the present classification of this species is not consistent 
with the best scientific and commercial information available, the 
Service will recommend whether or not a change is warranted in the 
Federal classification of bull trout. Any change in Federal 
classification would require a separate final rule-making process.

DATES: Information submitted for our consideration must be received on 
or before July 1, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Information submitted should be sent to the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Bull Trout Coordinator, Attention: Bull Trout 5-year 
Review, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97232. Information 
received in response to this notice and review will be available for 
public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the 
above address. New information regarding the bull trout may also be 
sent electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Young at the above address, or at 
503/231-2767.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Why Is a 5-Year Review Conducted?

    Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we conduct a review of 
listed species at least once every 5 years. We are then, under section 
4(c)(2)(B) and the provisions of subsections (a) and (b), to determine, 
on the basis of such a review, whether or not any species should be 
removed from the List (delisted), or reclassified from endangered to 
threatened, or threatened to endangered. Our regulations at 50 CFR 
424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing those species currently under active review. This notice 
announces our active review of the bull trout.

What Information Is Considered in the Review?

    The 5-year review considers all new information available at the 
time of the review. This review will consider the best scientific and 
commercial data that has become available since the current listing 
determination or most recent status review, such as:
    A. Species biology including, but not limited to, population 
trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics;
    B. Habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, 
distribution, and suitability;
    C. Conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit 
the species;
    D. Threat status and trends (see five factors under heading ``How 
do we determine whether a species is endangered or threatened?''); and
    E. Other new information, data, or corrections including, but not 
limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of 
erroneous information contained in the List, and improved analytical 
methods.

How Is the Bull Trout Currently Listed?

    The List is found in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants). 
Amendments to the List through final rules are published in the Federal 
Register. The List is also available on our Internet site at http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species. In Table 1 below, we provide 
a summary of the listing information for the bull trout.

                         Table 1.--Summary of the Listing Information for the Bull Trout
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           Common name              Scientific name         Status           Where listed     Final listing rule
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bull trout......................  Salvelinus          Threatened........  U.S.A.,             64 FR 58932(01-NOV-
                                   confluentus.                            conterminous        99).
                                                                           (lower 48 states).
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Definitions Related to This Notice

    The following definitions are provided to assist those persons who 
contemplate submitting information regarding the species being 
reviewed:
    A. Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or 
plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of 
vertebrate, which interbreeds when mature.
    B. Endangered means any species that is in danger of extinction 
throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
    C. Threatened means any species that is likely to become an 
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range.

How Do We Determine Whether a Species is Endangered or Threatened?

    Section 4(a)(1) of the Act establishes that we determine whether a 
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five 
following factors:
    A. The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of its habitat or range;
    B. Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes;
    C. Disease or predation;
    D. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
    E. Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued 
existence.
    Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that our determination be made 
on the basis

[[Page 19450]]

of the best scientific and commercial data available.

What Could Happen as a Result of This Review?

    If we find that there is new information concerning the bull trout 
indicating a change in classification may be warranted, we may propose 
a new rule that could do one of the following: (a) Reclassify the 
species from threatened to endangered; or (b) remove the species from 
the List. If we determine that a change in classification is not 
warranted, the bull trout will remain on the List under its current 
status.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of the bull 
trout, see ``What information is considered in the review?'' heading 
for specific criteria. Information submitted should be supported by 
documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, methods used to 
gather and analyze the data, and/or copies of any pertinent 
publications, reports, or letters by knowledgeable sources.

Authority

    This document is published under the authority of the Endangered 
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: March 4, 2004.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 04-8295 Filed 4-12-04; 8:45 am]
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