[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 26, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43171-43173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14713]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


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

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 the Bachman's warbler (Vermivora bachmanii), Conasauga 
logperch (Percina jenkinsi), Cumberland bean (Villosa trabalis), 
speckled pocketbook (Lampsilis streckeri), little amphianthus 
(Amphianthus pusillus), hairy rattleweed (Baptisia arachnifera), 
Geocarpon minimum (no common name), black-spored quillwort (Isoetes 
melanospora), mat-forming quillwort (Isoetes tegetiformans), white-
haired goldenrod (Solidago albopilosa), Short's goldenrod (Solidago 
shortii), persistent trillium (Trillium persistens), and relict 
trillium (Trillium reliquum) under section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The purpose of reviews conducted

[[Page 43172]]

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 September 
26, 2005. However, we will continue to accept new information about any 
listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Information submitted on the Bachman's warbler should be 
sent to the Field Supervisor, Charleston Field Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 176 Croghan Spur Road, Suite 200, Charleston, South 
Carolina 29407. Information about the speckled pocketbook and Geocarpon 
minimum (a plant) should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Arkansas 
Field Office, 1500 Museum Road, Suite 105, Conway, Arkansas 72032. 
Information submitted on the Cumberland bean, white-haired goldenrod, 
and Short's goldenrod should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Kentucky 
Field Office, 3761 Georgetown Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. Information 
about the hairy rattleweed should be sent to the Assistant Field 
Supervisor, Coastal Georgia Field Office, 4270 Norwich Street, 
Brunswick, GA 31520. Information on the remaining 6 species should be 
sent to the Field Supervisor, Athens Field Office, West Park Center, 
105 West Park Drive, Suite D, Athens, Georgia 30606. 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: Ed Eudaly at the Charleston, South 
Carolina, address above for the Bachman's warbler, (telephone, 843/727-
4707, ext. 220); Chris Davidson at the Conway, Arkansas, address above 
for the speckled pocketbook and Geocarpon minimum, (501/513-4481); Mike 
Floyd at the Frankfort, Kentucky, address above for the Cumberland 
bean, white-haired goldenrod, and Short's goldenrod, (502/695-0468); 
Keren Giovengo at the Brunswick, Georgia, address above for the hairy 
rattleweed (912/265-9336, ext. 31); and James Rickard at the above 
Athens, Georgia, address for the remaining 6 species (706/613-9493, 
ext. 23).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533 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) 
(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: Little 
amphianthus, Geocarpon minimum, and white-haired goldenrod; and the 
following species currently federally listed as endangered: Bachman's 
warbler, Conasauga logperch, Cumberland bean, speckled pocketbook, 
hairy rattleweed, black-spored quillwort, mat-forming quillwort, 
Short's goldenrod, persistent trillium, and relict trillium.
    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 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.

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 
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 13 
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 13

[[Page 43173]]

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 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: July 5, 2005.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 05-14713 Filed 7-25-05; 8:45 am]
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