[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69100-69101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20249]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 111606B]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-year Review 
of the Caribbean Monk Seal

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 the Caribbean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis) under 
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The Caribbean monk seal was 
listed as endangered in 1967 under the Endangered Species Preservation 
Act of 1966 (32 FR 4001) and then again in 1979 following its re-
assessment under the ESA (44 FR 21288). 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 the Caribbean monk 
seal that has become available since its last status review in 1984 (49 
FR 44774). 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 January 29, 2007. 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: Kyle Baker, 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 
the Caribbean monk seal.
     Fax: 727-824-5309, attention: Kyle Baker.
    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: Kyle Baker 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 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, substantiating 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 the Caribbean monk 
seal, currently listed as endangered.

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 the Caribbean monk 
seal.
    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 (A) species biology including, but not limited to, 
population trends,

[[Page 69101]]

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) status and trends of threats; 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.
    If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may 
submit your information and materials to Kyle Baker (see ADDRESSES 
section). 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: November 22, 2006.
Wanda L. Cain,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-20249 Filed 11-28-06; 8:45 am]
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