[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34492-34494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11704]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 
25 Southeastern Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 5-
year review of the ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera), flatwoods 
salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum), watercress darter (Etheostoma 
nuchale), pygmy sculpin (Cottus pygmaeus), southern acornshell 
(Epioblasma othcaloogensis), ovate clubshell (Pleurobema perovatum), 
southern

[[Page 34493]]

clubshell (Pleurobema decisum), upland combshell (Epioblasma 
metastriata), triangular kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus greenii), Alabama 
moccasinshell (Medionidus acutissimus), Coosa moccasinshell (Medionidus 
parvulus), orange-nacre mucket (Lampsilis perovalis), dark pigtoe 
(Pleurobema furvum), southern pigtoe (Pleurobema georgianum), fine-
lined pocketbook (Lampsilis altilis), lacy elimia (Elimia crenatella), 
cylindrical lioplax (Lioplax cyclostomaformis), flat pebblesnail 
(Lepyrium showalteri), painted rocksnail (Leptoxis taeniata), plicate 
rocksnail (Leptoxis plicata), round rocksnail (Leptoxis ampla), 
tulotoma snail (Tulotoma magnifica), Alabama cave shrimp (Palaemonias 
alabamae), Alabama leather flower (Clematis socialis), and Morefield's 
leather flower (Clematis morefieldii) under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (Act). 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 (50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12) is accurate. The 5-year review is an 
assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the 
time of the review.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, information 
submitted for our consideration must be received on or before August 
15, 2005 However, we will continue to accept new information about any 
listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Information submitted on the Alabama cave shrimp should be 
sent to the Field Supervisor, Daphne Field Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 1208-B Main Street, Daphne, Alabama, 36526. 
Information about the remaining 24 species should be sent to the Field 
Supervisor, Jackson Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 
Dogwood View Parkway, Jackson, Mississippi 39213. Information received 
in response to this notice of review will be available for public 
inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the same 
addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Powell at the Daphne, Alabama, 
address above for the Alabama cave shrimp (telephone, 251/441-5858) and 
Paul Hartfield at the above Jackson, Mississippi, address for the 
remaining 24 species (telephone, 601/321-1125).

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) (collectively referred to as the 
List). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we conduct a review 
of listed species at least once every 5 years. Then, 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. 
Delisting a species must be supported by the best scientific and 
commercial data available and only considered if such data substantiate 
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 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 following species that are currently federally listed as 
threatened: Ringed map turtle, flatwoods salamander, pygmy sculpin, 
Alabama moccasinshell, orange-nacre mucket, fine-lined pocketbook, lacy 
elimia, painted rocksnail, round rocksnail; and the following species 
federally listed as endangered: watercress darter, southern acornshell, 
ovate clubshell, southern clubshell, upland combshell, triangular 
kidneyshell, Coosa moccasinshell, dark pigtoe, southern pigtoe, 
cylindrical lioplax, flat pebblesnail, plicate rocksnail, tulotoma 
snail, Alabama cave shrimp, Alabama leather flower, and Morefield's 
leather flower.
    The List is found in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants) and 
is also available on our Internet site at http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species. Amendments to the List through final rules are 
published in the Federal Register.

What Information Is Considered in the Review?

    A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time 
of the review. A 5-year review will consider the best scientific and 
commercial data that have 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.

Specific Information Requested for the Acornshell and Upland Combshell

    We are especially interested in information on surviving 
populations of the southern acornshell and upland combshell. We 
specifically request any recent information regarding the collection of 
live or fresh dead shells of these species, as well as information on 
their location, numbers, and/or habitats.

Specific Information Requested for the Alabama Cave Shrimp

    We are especially interested in information on surviving 
populations of Alabama cave shrimp. We specifically request any recent 
information regarding the collection and or observation of these 
animals, as well as information on their location, numbers, and/or 
habitats. We are also interested in recent groundwater studies that 
address hydrologic connectivity and or water quality, water levels, or 
water-aging analyses conducted in the vicinity of Bobcat, Shelta, 
Brazelton, Glover, and Hering caves in Madison County, Alabama.

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

[[Page 34494]]

endangered or threatened based on one or more of the following five 
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 any of these 25 
species indicating that 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 (downlist); (b) 
reclassify the species from threatened to endangered (uplist); or (c) 
delist the species. If we determine that a change in classification is 
not warranted, then these species will remain on the List under their 
current status.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of these 25 
species. 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/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 may 
be circumstances in which we may withhold from the supporting record a 
respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish 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: May 13, 2005.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 05-11704 Filed 6-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P