[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 59 (Monday, March 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15454-15456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6868]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2010-N028; 20124-11130000-C4]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Status 
Reviews of 14 Southwestern Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of initiation of review; request for information.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are 
initiating 5-year status reviews of 14 southwestern species listed 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act). We conduct these 
reviews to ensure that our classification of each species on the Lists 
of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants as threatened or 
endangered is accurate. A 5-year review assesses the best scientific 
and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are 
requesting the public send us any information that has become available 
since our original listing of each of these species. Based on review 
results, we will determine whether we should change the listing status 
of any of these species.

DATES: To ensure consideration in this status review, please send your 
written information by June 28, 2010. However, we will continue to 
accept new information about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Submit information on these species to us at the addresses 
under ``Public Comments'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. We 
will make information we receive in response to this notice available 
for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at 
the same addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the appropriate office named 
in ``Public Comments'' for species-specific information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Why Do We Conduct a 5-Year Review?

    Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires 
that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years. 
We are then, under section 4(c)(2)(B) and the provisions of subsections 
(a) and (b), to determine, on the basis of such a review, whether or 
not any species should be removed (delisted) from the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 17.12), or 
reclassified from endangered to threatened (downlisted), or from 
threatened to endangered (uplisted).
    The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and 
commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we are 
requesting submission of any new information (best scientific and 
commercial data) on the following 14 species since their original 
listings as either endangered (Alamosa springsnail, Hualapai Mexican 
vole, northern aplomado falcon, Rio Grande silvery minnow, Sneed 
pincushion cactus, star cactus, Texas prairie dawn-flower, Texas 
trailing phlox, white bladderpod, and whooping crane) or threatened 
(Gila trout, Lee pincushion cactus, loach minnow, and spikedace). If 
the present classification of any of these species is not consistent 
with the best scientific and commercial information available, we will 
recommend whether or not a change is warranted in the Federal 
classification of that species. Any change in Federal classification 
would require a separate rulemaking process.
    Our 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 14 species 
listed in Table 1.

What Do We Consider in Our Review?

    A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time 
of the review. These reviews will consider the best scientific and 
commercial data that has 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 of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants, and improved analytical methods.

How Are These Species Currently Listed?

    The List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) is 
found in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants). Amendments to the 
List through final rules are published in the Federal Register. The 
List is also available on our Internet site at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/wildlife.html. In Table 1 below, we provide a summary of the 
current listing information for the species under active review.

                      Table 1--Current Listing Status of Species Under 5-Year Status Review
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                                                                                              Final listing rule
           Common name              Scientific name         Status           Where listed      publication date
                                                                                                 and citation
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                                                     ANIMALS
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Alamosa springsnail.............  Tryonia alamosae..  Endangered........  U.S.A. (NM).......  September 30, 1991
                                                                                               (56 FR 49646).
Gila trout......................  Oncorhynchus gilae  Threatened........  U.S.A. (AZ, NM)...  May 11, 2005
                                                                                              (70 FR 24750).

[[Page 15455]]

 
Hualapai Mexican vole...........  Microtus mexicanus  Endangered........  U.S.A. (AZ).......  October 1, 1987
                                   hualpaiensis.                                              (52 FR 36776).
Loach minnow....................  Tiaroga cobitis...  Threatened........  U.S.A. (AZ, NM)...  October 28, 1986
                                                                                              (51 FR 39468).
Northern aplomado falcon........  Falco femoralis     Endangered,         U.S.A. (AZ, NM,     February 25, 1986
                                   septentrionalis.    Experimental, Non-  TX).               (51 FR 6686).
                                                       essential.
Rio Grande silvery minnow.......  Hybognathus amarus  Endangered........  U.S.A. (NM, TX)...  July 20, 1994
                                                                                              (59 FR 36988).
Spikedace.......................  Meda fulgida......  Threatened........  U.S.A. (AZ, NM)...  July 1, 1986
                                                                                              (51 FR 23769).
Whooping crane..................  Grus americana....  Endangered,         U.S.A. (TX + 27     March 11, 1967
                                                       Experimental Non-   states).           (32 FR 4001).
                                                       essential.
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                                                     PLANTS
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Lee pincushion cactus...........  Coryphantha         Threatened........  U.S.A. (NM).......  October 25, 1979
                                   sneedii leei.                                              (44 FR 61554).
Sneed pincushion cactus.........  Coryphantha         Endangered........  U.S.A. (NM, TX)...  November 7, 1979
                                   sneedii sneedii.                                            (44 FR 64741).
Star cactus.....................  Astrophytum         Endangered........  U.S.A. (TX).......  October 18, 1993
                                   asterias.                                                  (58 FR 53804).
Texas prairie dawn-flower.......  Hymenoxys texana..  Endangered........  U.S.A. (TX).......  March 13, 1986
                                                                                              (51 FR 8681).
Texas trailing phlox............  Phlox nivalis       Endangered........  U.S.A. (TX).......  September 30, 1991
                                   texensis.                                                   (56 FR 49636).
White bladderpod................  Lesquerella         Endangered........  U.S.A. (TX).......  March 11, 1987
                                   pallida.                                                   (52 FR 7424).
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Definitions

    In classifying, we use the following definitions:
    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 species (E) means any species that is in danger of 
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
    C. Threatened species (T) means any species that is likely to 
become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout 
all or a significant portion of its range.
    D. Experimental population--non-essential (XN) means any population 
of an endangered or threatened species (including any offspring arising 
solely therefrom) authorized for release (and the related 
transportation) outside the current range of the species, that is 
wholly separate geographically from nonexperimental populations of the 
same species, to promote the further conservation of that species.

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 remains on the List under its current status.

Public Comments

    Submit information regarding whooping crane (Grus americanus) to 
the Refuge Manager, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 
100, Austwell, TX 77950. The office phone number is 361-286-3559.
    Submit information regarding Hualupai Mexican vole (Microtus 
mexicanus hualpaiensis), loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis), and spikedace 
(Meda fulgida) to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, 
2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoeniz, AZ 85021. The office 
phone number is 602-242-0210.
    Submit information regarding Texas prairie dawn-flower (Hymenoxys 
texana), Texas trailing phlox (Phlox nivalis texensis), and white 
bladderpod (Lesquerella pallida) to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-
year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clear Lake Ecological 
Services Field Office, 17629 El Camino Real, Suite 211, Houston, TX 
77058. The office phone number is 281-286-8282.
    Submit information regarding star cactus (Astrophytum asterias) to 
the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Corpus Christi Ecological Services Field Office, c/o TAMU-CC, 
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5837, Corpus Christi, TX 78412. The office phone 
number is 361-994-9005.
    Submit information regarding Alamosa springsnail (Tryonia 
alamosae), Gila trout (Oncorhynchus

[[Page 15456]]

gilae), Lee pincushion cactus (Coryphantha sneedii leei), northern 
aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis), Rio Grande silvery 
minnow (Hybognathus amarus), and Sneed pincushion cactus (Coryphantha 
sneedii sneedii) to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 
2105 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113. The office phone number is 
505-346-2525.

Request for New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of the 14 
species in Table 1. See ``What Information Do We Consider in Our 
Review?'' 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. 
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other 
personal identifying information in your comments, 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.

Authority

    This document is published under the authority of the Endangered 
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: January 29, 2010.
Thomas L. Bauer,
Regional Director, Region 2.
[FR Doc. 2010-6868 Filed 3-26-10; 8:45 am]
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