[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43621-43622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-16489]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 
Holy Ghost Ipomopsis and Kuenzler Hedgehog Cactus

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 Holy Ghost Ipomopsis (Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus) and 
Kuenzler hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus fendleri var. kuenzleri) 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 Holy Ghost Ipomopsis and Kuenzler hedgehog cactus 
since their original listings as endangered species in 1994 (59 FR 
13836) and 1979 (44 FR 61924), respectively. If the present 
classification of either of these 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 Holy Ghost Ipomopsis or Kuenzler hedgehog cactus. 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 August 20, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Information submitted on either species should be sent to 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division, Chief, 
Attention: 5-year Review, 500 Gold St. SE., Albuquerque, New Mexico, 
87103. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Brown or Tracy Scheffler at the 
above address, or at 505/248-6920.

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 from 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 Holy Ghost Ipomopsis and Kuenzler 
hedgehog cactus.

What Information Is Considered in the Review?

    A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time 
of the review. These reviews will consider the best scientific and 
commercial data that has become available since the current listing 
determination or most recent status review of each species, 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 to 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.

[[Page 43622]]

How Are Holy Ghost Ipomopsis and Kuenzler Hedgehog Cactus 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 both species.

       Table 1.--Summary of the Listing Information for Holy Ghost Ipomopsis and Kuenzler Hedgehog Cactus
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           Common name              Scientific name         Status           Where listed     Final listing rule
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Holy Ghost Ipomopsis............  Ipomopsis sancti-   Endangered........  NM................  1994; 59 FR; 13836
                                   spiritus.                                                   13840
Kuenzler hedgehog cactus........  Echinocereus        Endangered........  NM................  1979; 44 FR; 61924
                                   fendleri var.                                               61927
                                   kuenzleri.
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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 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 either Holy 
Ghost Ipomopsis or Kuenzler hedgehog cactus 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 endangered to 
threatened; or (b) remove the species from the List. If we determine 
that a change in classification is not warranted for either species, 
Holy Ghost Ipomopsis and Kuenzler hedgehog cactus will remain on the 
List under their current status.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of Holy Ghost 
Ipomopsis or Kuenzler hedgehog cactus. 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. Our practice is to make comments, including 
names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review. 
Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home 
addresses from the supporting record, which we will honor to the extent 
allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we may 
withhold from the supporting record a respondent's identity, as 
allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, 
you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We 
will not consider anonymous comments, however. We will make all 
submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety.

Authority

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

    Dated: June 14, 2004.
Regional Director, Region 2, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 04-16489 Filed 7-20-04; 8:45 am]
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