[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7993-7994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2134]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 
Florida Scrub-Jay

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 Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) under 
section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(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 April 17, 
2006. However, we will continue to accept new information about any 
listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: You may submit data, information, and comments by any of the 
following methods:
    1. You may submit written comments and information to the Field 
Supervisor, Jacksonville Ecological Services Office, 6620 Southpoint 
Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32216.
    2. You may hand-deliver written comments to our Office, at the 
above address.
    3. You may send comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to 
[email protected]. Include ``Florida Scrub-Jay Five-Year Review'' 
in the subject line of the message.
    4. You may fax your comments to 904/232-2404.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dawn Zattau, Jacksonville Field Office 
at telephone (904) 232-1067.

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 Florida scrub-
jay that is currently listed as threatened.

[[Page 7994]]

    The List is found at 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants) and 
is also available on our Internet site at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/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 Florida Scrub-Jay

    We are especially interested in information on the status of this 
species throughout its range. We specifically request any recent 
information regarding its responses to prescribed fire and any other 
management actions on conservation lands.

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 this 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 threatened to endangered (uplist) or (b) delist the 
species. If we determine that a change in classification is not 
warranted, then this species will remain on the List under its current 
status.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of this 
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: January 31, 2006.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
 [FR Doc. E6-2134 Filed 2-14-06; 8:45 am]
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