[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 183 (Friday, September 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54057-54059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18558]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is initiating 5-
year reviews of the Carolina northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys 
sabrinus coloratus), Cahow (Pterodroma cahow), boulder darter 
(Etheostoma wapiti), relict darter (Etheostoma chienense), Cumberland 
pigtoe (Pleurobema gibberum), rough pigtoe (Pleurobema plenum), 
orangefoot pimpleback (pearlymussel) (Plethobasus cooperianus), tan 
riffleshell (Epioblasma florentina walkeri), white wartyback 
(pearlymussel) (Plethobasus cicatricosus), noonday snail (Mesodon 
clarki nantahala), Nashville crayfish (Orconectes shoupi), Kentucky 
cave shrimp (Palaemonias ganteri), Cumberland sandwort (Arenaria 
cumberlandensis), Tennessee purple coneflower (Echinacea 
tennesseensis), large-flowered skullcap (Scutellaria

[[Page 54058]]

montana), and rock gnome lichen (Gymnoderma lineare) 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 
20, 2007. However, we will continue to accept new information about any 
listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Information submitted on the Carolina northern flying 
squirrel, tan riffleshell, noonday snail, and rock gnome lichen should 
be sent to the Field Supervisor, Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801, 
fax 828/258-5330. Information on the boulder darter, Cumberland pigtoe, 
orangefoot pimpleback, white wartyback, Nashville crayfish, Cumberland 
sandwort, Tennessee purple coneflower, and large-flowered skullcap 
should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Cookeville Field Office, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, Tennessee 
38501, fax 931/528-7075. Information on the relict darter, rough 
pigtoe, and Kentucky cave shrimp should be sent to the Field 
Supervisor, Frankfort Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 330 
West Broadway, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, fax 502/695-1024. Information 
on the cahow should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Raleigh Field 
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 33726, Raleigh, North 
Carolina 27636, fax 919/856-4556. 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: For information on the Carolina 
northern flying squirrel, contact Robert Currie at the Asheville Field 
Office address above (phone 828/258-3939 ext. 224, e-mail [email protected]). For information on the tan riffleshell, contact Robert 
(Bob) Butler at the Asheville Field Office address above (phone 828/
258-3939 ext. 235, e-mail [email protected]). For information on the 
noonday snail, contact John Fridell at the Asheville Field Office 
address above (phone 828/258-3939 ext. 225, e-mail [email protected]). For information on the rock gnome lichen, contact 
Carolyn Wells at the Asheville Field Office address above (phone 828/
258-3939 ext. 231, e-mail [email protected]). For information on 
the boulder darter, Cumberland pigtoe, orangefoot pimpleback, or white 
wartyback, contact James (Jim) Widlak at the Cookeville Field Office 
address above (phone 931/528-6481 ext. 202, e-mail [email protected]). For information on the Nashville crayfish, Cumberland 
sandwort, Tennessee purple coneflower, or large-flowered skullcap, 
contact Geoff Call at the Cookeville Field Office address above (phone 
931/528-6481 ext. 214, e-mail [email protected]). For information on 
the relict darter or Kentucky cave shrimp, contact Mike Floyd at the 
Frankfort Field Office address above (phone 502/695-0468 ext. 102, e-
mail [email protected]). For information on the rough pigtoe, contact 
Leroy Koch at the Frankfort Field Office address above (phone 502/695-
0468 ext. 106, e-mail [email protected]). For information on the 
cahow, contact David Rabon at the Raleigh Field Office address above 
(phone 919/856-4520 ext. 16, e-mail [email protected]).

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 animals) 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. Amendments 
to the List through final rules are published in the Federal Register.
    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 listed as endangered: Carolina northern flying squirrel 
(mammal), Cahow (bird), boulder darter (fish), relict darter (fish), 
Cumberland pigtoe (mussel), rough pigtoe (mussel), orangefoot 
pimpleback (mussel), tan riffleshell (mussel), white wartyback 
(mussel), Nashville crayfish (crayfish), Kentucky cave shrimp (shrimp), 
Cumberland sandwort (plant), Tennessee purple coneflower (plant), and 
rock gnome lichen (lichen). This notice also covers two species that 
are listed as threatened: noonday snail (snail) and large-flowered 
skullcap (plant). The List is also available on our Internet site at 
http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species.

What information is considered in the review?

    A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time 
of 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.

Specific information Requested for the Boulder Darter, Cumberland 
Pigtoe, Orangefoot Pimpleback, White Wartyback, and Rock Gnome Lichen

    We are especially interested in obtaining information about the 
present condition of the species' habitats, recovery of degraded 
habitats, threats to extant populations, discovery of new populations, 
or rediscovery of populations thought to be extirpated. We are also 
interested in information about ongoing or successfully completed 
recovery activities. We specifically request information regarding the 
current distribution of the

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species throughout their ranges and the status of extant populations.

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. Over-utilization 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 that there is new information concerning any of these 16 
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 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 any of 
these 16 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 during regular business hours. 
Individual respondents may request that we withhold their names and 
home addresses, etc., but if you wish us to withhold this information, 
you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. In 
addition, you must present rationale for withholding this information. 
This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure would constitute a 
clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. Unsupported assertions will 
not meet this burden. In absence of exceptional, undocumented 
circumstances, this information will be released. 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 23, 2007.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
 [FR Doc. E7-18558 Filed 9-20-07; 8:45 am]
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