[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14836-14837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4323]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. No. 031606B]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Announcement of 
Initiation of a Status Review of the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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SUMMARY: We, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), intend to 
review the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale pursuant to the ESA to 
determine if this group of beluga whales should be listed as an 
endangered or threatened species. We previously reviewed the status of 
these whales in 1998, and in 2000 concluded that a listing under the 
ESA was not warranted at that time. We solicit information to be used 
in reassessing the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale.

DATES: Comments and information must be received by April 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments and information should be sent to Kaja Brix, 
Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 
Alaska Region, Attn: Ellen Walsh. Comments may be submitted by:
    (1) Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668;
    (2) Hand Delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9\th\Street, 
Room 420A, Juneau, AK;
    (3) FAX: 907-586-7557; or
    (4) Email:[email protected]. Include in the subject 
line of the email the following document identifier: CI Belugas Status 
Review. Email comments, with or without attachments, are limited to 
five (5) megabytes.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Smith, NMFS Alaska Region, 
Anchorage Field Office, (907) 271-5006, Kaja Brix, NMFS, Alaska Region, 
(907) 586-7235, or Marta Nammack, Office of Protected Resources, (301) 
713-1401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ESA section 4 contains provisions and 
procedures for adding and removing species to the lists of endangered 
and threatened species. In particular, section 4(a) provides that NMFS 
shall determine whether any species is threatened or endangered because 
of any of the following factors: (1) The present or threatened 
destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2) 
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors 
affecting its continued existence.
    Pursuant to the ESA, and in response to petitions from external 
organizations, we reviewed the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale 
under the ESA. We determined in 2000 that this group is a distinct 
population segment (DPS) and, thus, a separate 
species as defined by the ESA. We also determined 
that listing the Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS as a threatened or 
endangered species was not warranted at that time (65 FR 38778; June 
22, 2000).
    Between 1994, when we initiated abundance surveys for the stock, 
and 1998, the Cook Inlet beluga whale population declined from an 
estimated 673 animals to an estimated 347 animals. We stated that the 
population was likely declining when the 1994 abundance was estimated, 
and the historical abundance was likely more than 1,000 animals. 
Subsistence harvest in 1995-1997 was estimated at 87 whales per year, 
and we concluded this level of harvest accounted for the observed 
decline of the population. At the time, no other factors could be 
identified as having a significant effect on the beluga population. 
Because there was an adequate regulatory mechanism in place to address 
subsistence harvest, we concluded that an ESA listing was not 
warranted. This determination was based in part on the expectation that 
the population would increase after the harvest was reduced to 
sustainable levels.
    We are concerned that recovery may not be occurring as expected, 
and we recognize that long-term persistence at a small population size 
increases the risk to this population. Therefore, we plan to re-
evaluate the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS under the ESA.
    ESA section 4(a)(3) provides that NMFS shall, concurrent with 
making a determination that a species is threatened or endangered, 
designate critical habitat for that species. Critical habitat consists 
of specific areas in which are found physical and biological features 
essential to the conservation of the species and which may require 
special management considerations or protection. Cook Inlet beluga 
whales occur primarily in upper Cook Inlet, where human development and 
occupation have been extensive. The status review concerns only whether 
the Cook Inlet beluga whales should be listed. However, if we determine 
listing

[[Page 14837]]

is necessary, we would also determine whether designation of critical 
habitat is prudent and determinable.

Information Solicited

    To ensure the status review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial data, we solicit information and 
comments concerning the Cook Inlet beluga whales and the extent to 
which natural or human factors may be affecting them. We are 
particularly interested in information that has been collected since 
1998, when the previous status review was initiated, or information 
that was not available for consideration during that status review. We 
are seeking available information on: (1) Current known range of the 
Cook Inlet beluga whale, with a particular focus on current and 
historical habitat use; (2) demographic movements; (3) trends in 
foraging habits and seasonal prey abundance; (4) trends in 
environmental contamination; (5) contaminant burdens in prey species, 
especially salmonids and eulachon; (6) impacts caused by human 
recreational activities (e.g., boating); (7) current and planned 
activities and their possible impacts to the Cook Inlet beluga whale 
(e.g., habitat modification); (8) efforts to protect the Cook Inlet 
beluga whale or improve its habitat; (9) non-human factors that may 
have contributed to its decline (i.e., disease, biotoxins, climatic or 
oceanographic regime shifts); and (10) industry effects from oil and 
gas, municipal wastewater, commercial fishing, commercial shipping, 
etc., and associated noise.
    Information is available on the Cook Inlet beluga whale at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga.htm.

    Dated: March 20, 2006.
Jim Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4323 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S