[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29482-29483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11422]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XH98


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-Year Review 
of the Endangered U.S. Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Smalltooth 
Sawfish

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

[[Page 29483]]


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

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SUMMARY: We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce a 
5-year review of the U.S. DPS of Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata) 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). 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 the smalltooth 
sawfish that has become available since its original listing as an 
endangered species on April 1, 2003. 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 July 21, 2008. However, we will 
continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time.

ADDRESSES:  Please submit information to Shelley Norton, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, 263 13\th\ Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 
33701. 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: [email protected]. Include in the subject line of 
the e-mail the following identifier: Smalltooth sawfish information for 
5-year review. Information may also be submitted via facsimile (fax) to 
727-824-5309.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shelley Norton at the above address, 
or at 727-824-5312.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 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 smalltooth sawfish, 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 data available, we are soliciting 
new information from the public, concerned governmental agencies, 
Tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and 
any other interested parties concerning the status of the smalltooth 
sawfish.
    The 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data 
available and all new information that has become available since the 
listing determination or most recent status review. Categories of 
requested information include: (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 that benefit the species; (D) status and trends 
of threats; 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.
    If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may 
submit your information and materials to Shelley Norton (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: May 16, 2008.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-11422 Filed 5-20-08; 8:45 am]
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