[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 71 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 19780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7477]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of a 5-
Year Review of the Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 5-
year review of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris 
under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). A 5-year review is conducted to ensure that 
the listing classification of a species is accurate. A 5-year review is 
based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time 
of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of any such 
information on the Florida manatee that has become available since its 
original listing as an endangered species in 1967 (32 FR 4061), under 
the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 80 Stat. 926; 16 U.S.C. 
668aa(c). The manatee (Trichechus manatus) was listed again in 
December, 1970 by amending Appendix A of 50 CFR 17 to include 
additional names to the list of foreign endangered species (35 FR 
18319). Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will make the 
requisite determination under section 4(c)(2)(B) of the ESA.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than June 13, 2005. However, we will 
continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: Submit information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Jacksonville Ecological Services Office, 6620 Southpoint Drive, South, 
Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216. 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. Information may also be sent via e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dawn Jennings at the above address, or 
at (904) 232-2580, Ext. 114.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Act, the Service maintains a list 
of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species at 50 CFR 17.11 
(for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act 
requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 
five years. On the basis of such reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we 
determine whether or not any species should be removed from the List 
(delisted), or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from 
threatened to endangered. If we determine that a change in 
classification is not warranted, the Florida manatee will remain on the 
List under its current status. Delisting a species must be supported by 
the best scientific and commercial data available and only considered 
if such data substantiates that the species is neither endangered nor 
threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1) The species is 
considered extinct; (2) the species is considered to be recovered; and/
or (3) the original data available when the species was listed, or the 
interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change in Federal 
classification would require a separate rulemaking process. The 
regulations in 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 Florida manatee 
currently listed as endangered.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting 
information from the public, concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, 
the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any 
other interested parties concerning the status of the Florida manatee.
    The 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data 
and all new information that has become available since the listing 
determination or most recent status review. For this review, we are 
particularly interested in any information since publication of the 
third revision of the Florida manatee recovery plan in 2001. Categories 
of requested information include (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; 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. 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.
    If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may 
submit your comments and materials to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service's Jacksonville, Florida Ecological Services Office (see 
ADDRESSES section). Our practice is to make comments, including names 
and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during 
regular business hours. Respondents may request that we withhold a 
respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold 
your name or address, you must state this request prominently at the 
beginning of your comment. We will not, however, consider anonymous 
comments. To the extent consistent with applicable law, 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. 
Comments and materials received will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours (see ADDRESSES 
section).

    Authority: This document is published under the authority of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: April 5, 2005.
Jacquelyn B. Parrish,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 05-7477 Filed 4-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P