[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 174 (Friday, September 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53127-53129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14866]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces 5-year reviews of the 
Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates), eastern indigo 
snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), Red Hills salamander (Phaeognathus 
hubrichti), Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae), bayou darter (Etheostoma 
rubrum), southern combshell (Epioblasma = Dysnomia penita), Arkansas 
fatmucket (Lampsilis powelli), Louisiana pearlshell (Margaritifera 
hembeli), black clubshell (Pleurobema curtum), flat pigtoe (Pleurobema 
marshalli), heavy pigtoe (Pleurobema taitianum), stirrupshell (Quadrula 
stapes), Kral's water-plantain (Sagittaria secundifolia), and Alabama 
streak-sorus fern (Thelypteris pilosa var. alabamensis) 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. A 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 November 
7, 2006. However, we will continue to accept

[[Page 53128]]

new information about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Information submitted on the Alabama beach mouse should be 
sent to the Field Supervisor, Daphne Field Office, Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 1208-B Main Street, Daphne, Alabama 36526. Information 
submitted on the eastern indigo snake, Red Hills salamander, bayou 
darter, southern combshell, black clubshell, flat pigtoe, heavy pigtoe, 
stirrupshell, Kral's water plaintain, and Alabama streak-sorus fern 
should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Jackson Field Office, 6578 
Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A, Jackson, Mississippi 39213. Information 
submitted on the Ozark cavefish and the Arkansas fatmucket should be 
sent to the Field Supervisor, Conway Field Office, Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 110 South Amity Road, Suite 300, Conway, Arkansas 72032. 
Information submitted on the Louisiana pearlshell should be sent to the 
Field Supervisor, Lafayette Field Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, 
646 Cajundome Boulevard, Suite 400, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506. 
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: Rob Tawes at the Daphne, Alabama, 
address above for the Alabama beach mouse (telephone 251/441-5830); 
Cary Norquist at the Jackson, Mississippi, address above for the 
eastern indigo snake, Red Hills salamander, bayou darter, southern 
combshell, black clubshell, flat pigtoe, heavy pigtoe, stirrupshell, 
Kral's water plaintain, and Alabama streak-sorus fern (telephone 601/
312-1128); Chris Davidson at the Conway, Arkansas, address above for 
the Ozark cavefish and the Arkansas fatmucket (telephone 501/513-4481); 
and Karen Soileau at the above Lafayette, Louisiana, address for the 
Louisiana pearlshell (telephone 337/291-3132).

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 wildlife) 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 endangered: Alabama 
beach mouse, southern combshell, black clubshell, flat pigtoe, heavy 
pigtoe, and stirrupshell. This notice also announces our active review 
of the following species that are currently federally listed as 
threatened: eastern indigo snake, Red Hills salamander, Ozark cavefish, 
bayou darter, Arkansas fatmucket, Louisiana pearlshell, Kral's water-
plantain, and Alabama streak-sorus fern.
    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 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.

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.

Specific Information Requested for the Alabama Beach Mouse

    We are especially interested in information regarding genetics, 
effective population size, or general population viability. We are also 
interested in any data regarding the influence of tropical cyclones on 
the subspecies. In addition, we are seeking information on future 
patterns of development (particularly changes in development density) 
along the Fort Morgan Peninsula in Baldwin County, Alabama.

Specific Information Requested for the Ozark Cavefish

    We are especially interested in information on species biology, 
population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; 
habitat conditions, including amount, distribution, and stability; 
conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the 
species; threat status and trends; and other new information, data, or 
corrections, including taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, 
identification of erroneous information and improved analytical 
methods.

[[Page 53129]]

Specific Information Requested for the Arkansas Fatmucket

    We are especially interested in information on species biology, 
population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; 
habitat conditions, including amount, distribution, and stability; 
conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the 
species; threat status and trends; and other new information, data, or 
corrections, including taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, 
identification of erroneous information and improved analytical 
methods.

Specific Information Requested for the Black Clubshell, Flat Pigtoe, 
Stirrupshell

    We are especially interested in learning of extant locations for 
these three mussels. 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 14 
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 the species will remain on the List under its 
current status.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of any of 
these 14 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, but you should be aware that the Service 
may be required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the 
Freedom of Information Act. 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 21, 2006.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. E6-14866 Filed 9-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P