[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3991-3993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1108]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-
Year Reviews of 10 Listed Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Review; Request for Information.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, initiate 5-year 
reviews of the endangered Peter's Mountain mallow (Iliamna corei), 
Jesup's milk-vetch (Astragalus robbinsii var. jesupi), James 
spinymussel (Pleurobema collina), sandplain gerardia (Agalinis acuta), 
harperella (Ptilimnium nodosum), Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon 
shenandoah), American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana), and rough 
rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata), and the threatened 
Northeastern beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis) and 
Virginia spiraea (Spiraea virginiana) under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended (Act). We request any new information on these 
species that may have a bearing on their classification as endangered 
or threatened.
    Based on the results of these 5-year reviews, we will make a 
finding on whether these species are properly classified under the Act.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct these reviews, we must 
receive your information no later than March 24, 2008. However, we will 
continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: For instructions on where to submit information and review 
the information that we receive on these species, see ``Public 
Solicitation of New Information.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mary Parkin, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Northeast Region, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, 
MA 01035, 413-253-8617 or 617-876-6173, or via electronic mail at 
[email protected]. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech 
impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8337 for TTY 
assistance. For species-specific information, contact the appropriate 
person under ``Public Solicitation of New Information.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Why Do We Conduct a 5-Year Review?

    Under the Act we maintain the List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife and Plant Species (List) at 50 CFR 17.11

[[Page 3992]]

and 17.12. We amend the List by publishing final rules in the Federal 
Register. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we conduct a 
review of listed species at least once every 5 years. Section 
4(c)(2)(B) requires that we determine: (1) Whether a species no longer 
meets the definition of threatened or endangered and should be removed 
from the List (delisted); (2) whether a species more properly meets the 
definition of threatened and should be reclassified from endangered to 
threatened; or (3) whether a species more properly meets the definition 
of endangered and should be reclassified from threatened to endangered. 
Using the best scientific and commercial data available, a species will 
be considered for delisting if the 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 requires a separate 
rulemaking process. Therefore, we are requesting submission of any such 
information that has become available since either the original listing 
or the most recent status review for these species. Based on the 
results of these 5-year reviews, we will make the requisite findings 
under section 4(c)(2)(B) of the Act.
    Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice 
in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under 
review. This notice announces initiation of our active review of the 
species in Table 1.

     Table 1.--Summary of Listing Information, 4 Wildlife Species and 6 Plant Species in the Northeast Region
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                                                                                                  Final listing
           Common name               Scientific name           Status          Where listed           rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Animals
 James spinymussel.............  Pleurobema collina....  Endangered.......  Entire...........  53 FR 27689; 07/
                                                                                                22/1988
Shenandoah salamander..........  Plethodon shenandoah..  Endangered.......  Entire...........  54 FR 34464; 08/
                                                                                                18/1989
Rough rabbitsfoot..............  Quadrula cylindrica     Endangered.......  Entire...........  62 FR 1647; 01/10/
                                  strigillata.                                                  1997
Northeastern beach tiger beetle  Cicindela dorsalis      Threatened.......  Entire...........  55 FR 32088; 08/
                                  dorsalis.                                                     07/1990
             PLANTS
Peter's Mountain mallow........  Iliamna corei.........  Endangered.......  Entire...........  51 FR 17343; 05/
                                                                                                12/1986
Jesup's milk-vetch.............  Astragalus robbinsii    Endangered.......  Entire...........  52 FR 21481; 06/
                                  var. jesupi.                                                  05/1987
Sandplain gerardia.............  Agalinis acuta........  Endangered.......  Entire...........  53 FR 34701; 09/
                                                                                                07/1988
Harperella.....................  Ptilimnium nodosum....  Endangered.......  Entire...........  53 FR 37978; 09/
                                                                                                28/1988
American chaffseed.............  Schwalbea americana...  Endangered.......  Entire...........  57 FR 44704; 09/
                                                                                                29/1992
Virginia spiraea...............  Spiraea virginiana....  Threatened.......  Entire...........  55 FR 24241; 06/
                                                                                                15/1990
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What Information Do We Consider in Our Review?

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

Public Solicitation of New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of the 
wildlife species James spinymussel, Shenandoah salamander, rough 
rabbitsfoot, and northeastern beach tiger beetle, and of the plant 
species Peter's Mountain mallow, Jesup's milk-vetch, sandplain 
gerardia, harperella, American chaffseed, and Virginia spiraea. See 
``What Information Do We Consider in Our Review?'' for specific 
criteria. If you submit information, support it 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. We specifically request information 
regarding data from any systematic surveys, as well as any studies or 
analysis of data that may show population size or trends; information 
pertaining to the biology or ecology of the species; information 
regarding the effects of current land management on population 
distribution and abundance; information on the current condition of 
habitat; and recent information regarding conservation measures that 
have been implemented to benefit the species. Additionally, we 
specifically request information regarding the current distribution of 
populations and evaluation of threats faced by the species in relation 
to the five listing factors (as defined in section 4(a)(1) of the Act) 
and the species' listed status as judged against the definition of 
threatened or endangered. Finally, we solicit recommendations 
pertaining to the development of, or potential updates to recovery 
plans and additional actions or studies that would benefit these 
species in the future.
    Our practice is to make information, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review. Before including 
your address, phone number, electronic mail address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, 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.
    Mail, electronic mail, or hand-deliver information on the following 
species to the corresponding address below. You may also view 
information we receive in response to this notice, as well as other 
documentation in our files, at the following locations by appointment, 
during normal business hours.
    Peter's Mountain mallow: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 73 Weir 
Hill Road, Sudbury, MA 01776, Attention: Anne Hecht. You may direct 
inquiries to Ms. Hecht at 978-443-4325, [email protected].
    Jesup's milk-vetch: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New England 
Field

[[Page 3993]]

Office, 70 Commercial St., Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301, Attention: 
Susi von Oettingen. Direct inquiries to Ms. von Oettingen at 603-223-
2541, extension 22, [email protected].
    James spinymussel: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field 
Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, Attention: Cindy Kane. 
Direct inquiries to Ms. Kane at 804-693-6694, extension 113, [email protected].
    Sandplain gerardia: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Long Island 
Field Office, 3 Old Barto Road, Brookhaven, NY 11719, Attention: Steve 
Sinkevich. Direct inquiries to Mr. Sinkevich at 631-776-1401, [email protected].
    Harperella: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West Virginia Field 
Office, 694 Beverly Pike, Elkins, WV 26241, Attention: Laura Hill. 
Direct inquiries to Ms. Hill at 304-636-6586, extension 18, [email protected].
    Shenandoah salamander: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast 
Region, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035, Attention: Mary 
Parkin. Direct inquiries to Ms. Parkin at 413-253-8617, or 617-876-
6173, [email protected].
    American chaffseed: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Jersey 
Field Office, 927 N. Main Street, Bldg D, Pleasantville, NJ 08232, 
Attention: Annette Scherer. Direct inquiries to Ms. Scherer at 609-383-
3938, extension 34, [email protected].
    Rough rabbitsfoot: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest 
Virginia Field Office, 330 Cummings Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, 
Attention: Shane Hanlon. Direct inquiries to Mr. Hanlon at 276-623-
1233, extension 25, [email protected].
    Northeastern beach tiger beetle: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, 
Attention: Mike Drummond. Direct inquiries to Mr. Drummond at 804-693-
6694, extension 114, [email protected].
    Virginia spiraea: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field 
Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, Attention: William 
Hester. Direct inquiries to Mr. Hester at 804-693-6694, extension 134, 
[email protected].
    All electronic information must be submitted in text format or rich 
text format. Include the following identifier in the subject line of 
the electronic mail: Information on 5-year review for [name of 
species], and include your name and return address in the body of your 
message.

How Are These Species Currently Listed?

    Table 1 provides current listing information. Also, the List, which 
covers all listed species, is also available on our Internet site at 
http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species.

Definitions Related to this Notice?

    To help you submit information about the species we are reviewing, 
we provide the following definitions:
    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;
    Endangered species means any species that is in danger of 
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range; and
    Threatened species 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 Our Review?

    For each species under review, if we find new information that 
indicates 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 threatened to endangered (uplist); (b) reclassify the species from 
endangered to threatened (downlist); or (c) remove the species from the 
List (delist). If we determine that a change in classification is not 
warranted, then the species will remain on the List under its current 
status.

    Authority: This document is published under the authority of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: December 28, 2007.
Wendi Weber,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.
 [FR Doc. E8-1108 Filed 1-22-08; 8:45 am]
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