[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76373-76375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29720]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R5-ES-2008-N0312; 50120-1113-0000-D2]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-
Year Reviews of 7 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 Appalachian monkeyface (Quadrula sparsa), the 
northeast population of the roseate tern (Sterna dougalii dougalli), 
and the shale barren rock-cress (Arabis serotina), and the threatened 
Cheat Mountain salamander (Plethodon nettingi), the Madison cave isopod 
(Antrolana lira), the sensitive joint-vetch (Aeschynomene virginica), 
and the Virginia sneezeweed (Helenium virginicum), 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 are 
requesting submission of new information by February 17, 2009. 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 e-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 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 3 Plant Species in the Northeast Region
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           Common name              Scientific name         Status           Where listed     Final listing rule
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             ANIMALS
Appalachian monkeyface..........  Quadrula sparsa...  Endangered........  VA................  41 FR 24062; 06/14/
                                                                                               1976
Appalachian monkeyface..........  Quadrula sparsa...  Experimental        TN................  72 FR 52433; 09/13/
                                                       Population, Non-                        2007
                                                       Essential.
Cheat Mountain salamander.......  Plethodon nettingi  Threatened........  Entire Range......  54 FR 34464; 08/18/
                                                                                               1989
Madison cave isopod.............  Antrolana lira....  Threatened........  Entire Range......  47 FR 43699; 10/04/
                                                                                               1982

[[Page 76374]]

 
Roseate tern....................  Sterna dougallii    Endangered........  Northeast           52 FR 42064; 11/02/
                                   dougallii.                              population (CT,     1987
                                                                           ME, MA, NJ, NY,
                                                                           NC, RI, VA).
             PLANTS
Sensitive joint-vetch...........  Aeschynomene        Threatened........  Entire Range......  57 FR 21569; 05/20/
                                   virginica.                                                  1992
Shale barren rock-cress.........  Arabis serotina...  Endangered........  Entire Range......  54 FR 29655; 07/13/
                                                                                               1989
Virginia sneezeweed.............  Helenium viginicum  Threatened........  Entire Range......  63 FR 59239; 11/03/
                                                                                               1998
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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 Appalachian monkeyface, Cheat Mountain salamander, 
Madison cave isopod, and roseate tern, and of the plant species 
sensitive joint-vetch, shale barren rock-cress, and Virginia 
sneezeweed. See ``What Information Do We Consider in Our Review?'' for 
specific criteria. Information should be supported 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, e-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.
    You may submit information on the following species by U.S. mail, 
e-mail, or hand-delivery, to the corresponding addresses below. You may 
also view information we receive in response to this notice, as well as 
other public documentations in our files, at the following locations by 
appointment, during normal business hours.
    Appalachian monkeyface: 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, or [email protected].
    Cheat mountain salamander: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West 
Virginia Field Office, 694 Beverly Pike, Elkins, WV 26241, Attention: 
Barbara Douglas. Direct inquiries to Ms. Douglas at 304-636-6586, 
extension 19, or [email protected].
    Madison cave isopod: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field 
Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, Attention: Sumalee 
Hoskin. Direct inquiries to Ms. Hoskin at 804-693-6694, extension 136, 
or [email protected].
    Roseate tern: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New England Field 
Office, 70 Commercial Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301, Attention: 
Michael Amaral. Direct inquiries to Mr. Amaral at 603-223-2541, 
extension 23, or [email protected].
    Sensitive joint-vetch: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia 
Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, Attention: Tylan 
Dean. Direct inquiries to Mr. Dean at 804-693-6694, extension 104, or 
[email protected].
    Shale barren rock-cress: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia 
Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, Attention: 
Kimberly Smith. Direct inquiries to Ms. Smith at 804-693-6694, 
extension 126, or [email protected].
    Virginia sneezeweed: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field 
Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, Attention: Tylan Dean. 
Direct inquiries to Mr. Dean at 804-693-6694, extension 104, or [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 e-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 full List 
of endangered and threatened species is 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:

[[Page 76375]]

    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).

    Dated: November 24, 2008.
Wendi Weber,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region, Fish and Wildlife Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-29720 Filed 12-15-08; 8:45 am]
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