[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39326-39327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13327]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of a 5-
Year Review of Black-Footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) and Pallid 
Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 5-
year review of black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and pallid 
sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). A 5-year review is a periodic 
process 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 black-footed 
ferret and pallid sturgeon that has become available since their 
original listings as endangered species. Based on the results of this 
5-year review, we will make the requisite findings under section 
4(c)(2)(B) of the ESA.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct our reviews on the statuses 
of each of these species, we must receive your information no later 
than September 6, 2005. However, we will continue to accept new 
information about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Submit information on black-footed ferret to Pete Gober, 
South Dakota Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 420 S. 
Garfield Avenue, Suite 400, Pierre, South Dakota 57501. Submit 
information on pallid sturgeon to George Jordan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 2900 4th Avenue North, Room 301, Billings, Montana 59101. 
Information received in response to this notice and review will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at the above addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Black-footed ferret--Pete Gober, South 
Dakota Field Office Supervisor, at (605) 224-8693, extension 24. Pallid 
sturgeon--George Jordan, Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Coordinator, at (406) 
247-7365.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 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 ESA requires that we conduct a review of 
listed species at least once every 5 years. Then, based on 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 considered only 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 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 Black-footed ferret and Pallid sturgeon, both of which 
are currently listed as endangered. We request submission of any new 
information on the black-footed ferret or the pallid sturgeon, or both, 
that has become available since their original listings as endangered 
species in 1967 (32 FR 4001) and 1990 (55 FR 36641), respectively.

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 new 
information from the public, concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, 
the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any 
other interested parties concerning the status of black-footed ferret 
and pallid sturgeon.
    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 of each species. 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.
    If you wish to provide information for one or both of these species 
for 5-year review, you may submit your comments and materials regarding 
black-footed ferret to Pete Gober, South Dakota Field Office Supervisor 
(see ADDRESSES section); or your comments and materials regarding 
pallid sturgeon to George Jordan, Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Coordinator 
(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. However, we will not 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).

[[Page 39327]]

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: June 16, 2005.
Hannibal Bolton,
Acting Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 05-13327 Filed 7-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P