[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 13 (Monday, January 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2650-2651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-811]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 011207A]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-Year Review 
of the Hawaiian Monk Seal

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces a 5-
year review of the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) under 
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The Hawaiian monk seal was 
listed as a threatened species under the ESA on November 23, 1976. On 
April 30, 1986, critical habitat was designated at all beach areas, 
lagoon waters, and ocean waters out to a depth of 10 fathoms around 
Kure Atoll, Midway, Pearl and Hermes Reef, Lisianski Island, Laysan 
Island, Gardner Pinnacles, French Frigate Shoals, Necker Island and 
Nihoa Island; critical habitat was extended to include Maro Reef and 
waters around all habitat out to the 20 fathom isobath on May 26, 1988. 
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 Hawaiian monk seals that has become available since 
their original listing as an endangered species in 1976. 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 March 23, 2007. However, we will 
continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: Please submit information to Chris E. Yates, Assistant 
Regional Administrator for Protected Species, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 
1110, Honolulu, HI 96814. 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. 
Information may also be submitted by e-mail to: Dr. Michelle Yuen at

[[Page 2651]]

[email protected]. Include in the subject line of the e-mail, the 
following identifier: Comments on 5-year review for the Hawaiian monk 
seal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Dr. Michelle Yuen at the above 
email address or at 808-944-2243.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the ESA, a list of endangered and 
threatened wildlife and plant species at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 
150 CFR 7.12 (for plants) must be maintained. 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, 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 the Hawaiian 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, the 
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other 
interested parties concerning the status of Hawaiian monk seals.
    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, 
populationtrends, 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. NMFS is seeking information that has not been previously 
reported in the recent Hawaiian Monk Seal Stock Assessment Report 
(SARs) published in 2005 (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/), nor 
previously reported in the revised Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk 
Seal, which is currently available for public review until January 29, 
2007 (71 FR 70964).
    If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may 
submit your information and materials to Dr. Michelle Yuen (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: January 16, 2007.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-811 Filed 1-19-07; 8:45 am]
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