[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 197 (Thursday, October 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60108-60109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16933]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 100306H]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-year review 
of Johnson's Seagrass

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation of a 5-Year Review; request for 
information.

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SUMMARY: We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce a 
5-year review of Johnson's seagrass (Halophila johnsonii) under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). A 5-year review is a periodic 
process conducted to ensure that the listing classification of a 
species is accurate. A 5-year review is based on the best scientific 
and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we 
are requesting submission of any such information on Johnson's seagrass 
that has become available since its original listing as a threatened 
species in 1998. Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will 
make the requisite findings under the ESA.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than December 11, 2006. However, we 
will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information by any of the following methods:
     Mail: Shelley Norton, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include in the subject 
line of the e-mail the following identifier: Comments on 5-year review 
for Johnson's seagrass.
     Fax: 1-727-824-5309, Attention: Shelley Norton
    Information received in response to this notice and review will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shelley Norton at the above address, 
or at 727-824-5312.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the ESA, a list of endangered and 
threatened wildlife and plant species must be maintained. The list is 
published at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section 
4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a

[[Page 60109]]

review of listed species at least once every five years. 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 
substantiates 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 in 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 Johnson's seagrass, 
currently listed as threatened.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial information, 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 Johnson's seagrass.
    The 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. Categories of requested 
information include (1) species biology including, but not limited to, 
population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; 
(2) habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, 
distribution, and suitability; (3) conservation measures that have been 
implemented that benefit the species; (4) status and trends of threats; 
and (5) 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.
    If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may 
submit your information and materials to Shelley Norton (see 
ADDRESSES). Our practice is to make submissions of information, 
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 withhold your name or address, you must state this request 
prominently at the beginning of your submission. We will not, however, 
consider anonymous submissions. 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 and materials 
received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours (see ADDRESSES section).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: October 4, 2006.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-16933 Filed 10-11-06; 8:45 am]
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