[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68129-68130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23503]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD82


Endangered and Threatened Species; 5-year Review

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of a 5-year review for Johnson's 
seagrass.

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SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce the availability of a 5-year review for 
Johnson's seagrass (Halophila johnsonii) as required by the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Johnson's seagrass was listed as threatened 
on September 14, 1998. Based on the best available scientific and 
commercial data, we conclude in the 5-year review that Johnson's 
seagrass remains a threatened species likely to become endangered 
within the foreseeable future. Therefore, based on our 5-year review, 
we recommend no change in listing.

ADDRESSES: Additional information about the 5-year review may be 
obtained by writing to Shelley Norton, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 
Protected Resources Division, 263 13\th\ Avenue South, St. Petersburg, 
FL 33701 or send and electronic message to [email protected]. 
Electronic copies of the 5-year review are available online at the NMFS 
Southeast Regional Office website: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/protres.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    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 
5 years. On the basis of such reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we 
determine whether any species should be removed from the List 
(delisted), or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from 
threatened to endangered. In a 5-year review we consider the best 
scientific and commercial data and all new information that has become 
available since the listing determination or most recent status review 
of a species.
    NMFS and the NOAA Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research 
(CCFHR) initiated the 5-year review of Johnson's Seagrass in September 
2006. The CCFHR and NMFS solicited information from the public through 
the Federal Register (71 FR 60108; October 12, 2006), as well as 
through personal and written communications with several educational 
institutions, Federal and state governments, and private research 
organizations. To complete the review, we evaluated all information 
that has become available on the species since 1997, the date of the 
last Johnson's seagrass biological status review. The completed 5-year 
review was peer reviewed. We conclude that the 5-year

[[Page 68130]]

review meets the requirements of the ESA.

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

    Dated: November 28, 2007.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23503 Filed 12-3-07; 8:45 am]
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