[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 183 (Friday, September 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54059-54060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18543]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-
Year Reviews of 2 Species: Chihuahua Chub (Gila nigrescens) and 
Navasota Ladies'-Tresses (Spiranthes parksii)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of reviews; request for information.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) initiate 5-
year reviews of Chihuahua chub (Gila nigrescens) and Navasota ladies'-
tresses (Spiranthes parksii) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
as amended (Act). The purpose of reviews conducted under section 
4(c)(2)(A) 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 is accurate.
    The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and 
commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we are 
requesting submission of any new information (best scientific and 
commercial data) on Chihuahua chub and Navasota ladies'-tresses since 
their original listings as threatened in 1983 (48 FR 46053; October 11, 
1983) and endangered in 1982 (47 FR 19539; May 6, 1982), respectively. 
If the present classification of either of these species is not 
consistent with the best scientific and commercial information 
available, we may recommend a change in Federal classification. A 
change would require a separate final rulemaking process.

DATES: To allow adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive 
any information submitted for our consideration on or before December 
20, 2007. However, we will continue to accept new information about any 
listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver information on these species to us at 
the following addresses. Information we receive will be available for 
public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the 
same addresses.
    Navasota ladies'-tresses: Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year 
Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services 
Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758. The 
office phone number is 512-490-0057. Alternatively, you may send 
information via e-mail to [email protected].
    Chihuahua chub: Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 
2105 Osuna Road, NE., Albuquerque, NM 87113. The office phone number is 
505-346-2525. Alternatively, you may send information via e-mail to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For species-specific information, 
contact the appropriate person at the above addresses and phone 
numbers.
    Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call 
the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8337 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Why Do We Conduct a 5-year Review?

    Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires 
that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years. 
We are then, under section 4(c)(2)(B) and the provisions of subsections 
(a) and (b), to determine, on the basis of such a review, whether or 
not any species should be removed (delisted) from the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 17.12), or

[[Page 54060]]

reclassified from endangered to threatened (downlisted), or from 
threatened to endangered (uplisted).
    The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and 
commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we are 
requesting submission of any new information (best scientific and 
commercial data) on the Chihuahua chub and the Navasota ladies'-
tresses. If the present classification of any of these species is not 
consistent with the best scientific and commercial information 
available, we will recommend whether or not a change is warranted in 
the Federal classification of that species. Any classification change 
would require a separate rulemaking process.
    Our 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 Chihuahua chub and 
Navasota ladies'-tresses.

What Information Do We Consider in Our Review?

    We consider all new information available at the time of the 5-year 
review. These reviews consider the best scientific and commercial data 
that has 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 we have 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 of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants, and improved analytical methods.

How Are Chihuahua Chub and Navasota Ladies'-Tresses Currently Listed?

    The List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) is 
in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants). We publish amendments to 
the List through final rules in the Federal Register. The List is also 
available on our internet site at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/wildlife.html. In Table 1 below, we provide a summary of the listing 
information for both species.

                                    Table 1.--Summary of Listing Information
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           Common name              Scientific name         Status           Where listed     Final listing rule
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Chihuahua Chub..................  Gila nigrescens...  Threatened........  NM................  October 11, 1983;
                                                                                               48 FR 46053.
Navasota ladies'-tresses........  Spiranthes parksii  Endangered........  TX................  May 6, 1982; 47 FR
                                                                                               19539.
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Definitions for This Notice

    To help you submit information about the species we are reviewing, 
we provide the following definitions:
    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 five 
following 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.

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 new information concerning either Chihuahua chub or 
Navasota ladies'-tresses indicating 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) remove the species from the List. If we determine that 
a change in classification is not warranted, then these species will 
remain on the List under their current status.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of Chihuahua 
chub or Navasota ladies'-tresses. See ``What Information Do We Consider 
in Our Review?'' heading for specific criteria. Support any information 
you submit with 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. 
Additionally, we specifically request recommendations pertaining to the 
development of, or potential updates to, recovery plans, and additional 
actions or studies that could benefit these species in the future.
    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Authority: We publish this document under the authority of the 
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: August 21, 2007.
Christopher T. Jones,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
 [FR Doc. E7-18543 Filed 9-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P