[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 106 (Friday, June 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32124-32125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8565]


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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 the Northern Distinct Population Segment of the 
Copperbelly Water Snake

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of review.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), announces a 
5-year review of the northern distinct population segment (DPS) (i.e., 
in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana north of 40 degrees north latitude) of 
the copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) under 
section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). We request any information on the snake that has 
become available since its original listing in 1997 (62 FR 4183) that 
has a bearing on its classification as threatened.
    A 5-year review is a periodic process conducted to ensure that the 
classification of a listed species is appropriate. It is based on the 
best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the 
review. Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will make a 
finding of whether this species is properly classified under section 
4(c)(2)(B) of the Act.

DATES: Information must be received no later than August 1, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Submit information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Ecological Services Field Supervisor, 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101, 
East Lansing, Michigan 48823-6316, or electronic information to: 
[email protected]. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
for file formats and other information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carrie Tansy, East Lansing 
Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone (517) 351-
6289; facsimile (517) 351-1443. Individuals who are hearing impaired or 
speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8337 
for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Act, the Service maintains a list 
of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species (List) at 50 
CFR 17.11 and 17.12. Amendments to the List through final rules are 
published in the Federal Register. The Lists of wildlife and plants are 
available on our Internet site at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/wildlife/html#species. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we 
conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years. 
Section 4(c)(2)(B) requires that we determine (1) whether a species no 
longer meets the definition of threatened or endangered and should be 
removed from the List (delisted); (2) whether a species more properly 
meets the definition of threatened and should be reclassified from 
endangered to threatened; or (3) whether a species more properly meets 
the definition of endangered and should be reclassified from threatened 
to endangered. Using the best scientific and commercial data available, 
a species will be considered for delisting if the 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 requires 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 announces our active review 
of the northern DPS of the copperbelly water snake.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
scientific and commercial data available, 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 the northern DPS of 
the copperbelly water snake. A 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. 
Requested information includes (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 nomenclature changes, identification of 
erroneous information contained in the List, and improved analytical 
methods.
    The copperbelly water snake was listed as a distinct population 
segment of a vertebrate taxon. The listed DPS occurs in Michigan, Ohio, 
and Indiana north of 40 degrees north latitude (approximately 
Indianapolis, Indiana). A distinct vertebrate population segment is 
defined in the February 7, 1996, Policy Regarding the Recognition of 
Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments (61 FR 4722). For a population 
to be listed under the Act as a DPS, three elements are considered: (1) 
The discreteness of the population segment in relation to the remainder 
of the species to which it belongs; (2) the significance of the 
population segment to the species to which it belongs; and (3) the 
population segment's conservation status in relation to the Act's 
standards for listing (i.e., is the population segment endangered or 
threatened?). Distinct population segments of vertebrate species, as 
well as subspecies of all listed species, may be proposed for separate 
reclassification or for removal from the List. As required by the DPS 
policy, we will assess the validity of the current DPS designation 
during the 5-year review. The southern population (i.e., in Illinois, 
Kentucky, and Indiana south of 40 degrees north latitude) is not listed 
as a threatened species at this time and is not part of this 5-year 
review.

Electronic Access and Filing

    You must submit electronic information (see ADDRESSES) in MS Word, 
Rich Text format, or Plain Text format, and include ``Copperbelly Water 
Snake 5-Year Review Comments'' in the title line.
    You may submit your comments and materials to the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES) 
no later than the close of the comment period (see DATES) to allow us 
adequate time to conduct this 5-year review. If you do not respond to 
this request for information but subsequently possess information on 
the status of this species, we are eager to receive new information 
regarding federally listed species at any time.
    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

[[Page 32125]]

withhold your name or address, you must state this request prominently 
at the beginning of your comment. We will not, however, 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. Information received in response to this notice and review 
will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal 
business hours (see ADDRESSES).

    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: May 19, 2006.
Wendi Weber,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Region 3.
[FR Doc. E6-8565 Filed 6-1-06; 8:45 am]
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