[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 68 (Friday, April 9, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18233-18234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-8103]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2009-N002; 40120-1113-0000-C4]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Status 
Reviews of 10 Southeastern Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are 
initiating 5-year status reviews of 10 species under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We conduct these reviews to 
ensure that the classification of species as threatened or endangered 
on the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is 
accurate. A 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and 
commercial data available at the time of the review.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct these reviews, we must 
receive your comments or information on or before June 8, 2010. 
However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed 
species at any time.

ADDRESSES: For instructions on how to submit information and review 
information we receive on these species, see ``Request for New 
Information.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For species-specific information, see 
``Request for New Information.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we maintain lists of 
endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species in the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.11 (for wildlife) and 17.12 (for 
plants) (collectively referred to as the List). The List is also 
available on our Internet site at http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we 
conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years. Then, 
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. If we consider delisting a species, we must support the 
action by the best scientific and commercial data available. We must 
consider if these 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 would require a separate rulemaking process. 
We make amendments to the List through final rules published in the 
Federal Register.
    Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice 
in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under our 
active review. This notice announces our active review of seven species 
that are currently listed as endangered: Mississippi sandhill crane 
(Grus canadensis pulla), Alabama cavefish (Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni), 
Alabama lampmussel (Lampsilis virescens), pale lilliput (Toxolasma 
cylindrellus), pondberry (Lindera melissifolia), green pitcher-plant 
(Sarracenia oreophila), and Louisiana quillwort (Isoetes 
louisianensis). This notice also announces our active review of three 
species that are currently listed as threatened: Gopher tortoise 
(Gopherus polyphemus), yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys 
flavimaculata), and Mohr's Barbara button (Marshalli mohrii).

What Information Do We Consider in a 5-year Review?

    A 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data 
that have 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, and improved analytical 
methods.

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.

[[Page 18234]]

    B. Endangered means any species that is in danger of extinction 
throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
    C. Threatened 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 
following five 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.

What Could Happen as a Result of This Review?

    If we find that there is new information concerning any of these 10 
species indicating that 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 endangered to threatened (downlist); (b) 
reclassify the species from threatened to endangered (uplist); or (c) 
delist the species. If we determine that a change in classification is 
not warranted, then the species will remain on the List under its 
current status.

Request for New Information

    To do any of the following, contact the person associated with the 
species you are interested in below:
    (a) To get more information on a species,
    (b) To submit information on a species, or
    (c) To review information we receive, which will be available for 
public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the 
listed addresses.
     Alabama lampmussel and pale liliput: Daphne Field Office, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1208-B Main St., Daphne, AL 36526, fax 
251/441-6222. For information on these mussels, contact Jeff Powell at 
the Daphne Field Office (phone 251/441-5181, e-mail [email protected]).
     For the remaining 8 species: Jackson Field Office, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Ste. A, Jackson, 
MS 39213, fax 601/965-4340. For information on the Alabama cavefish, 
contact Daniel Drennen at the Jackson Field Office (phone 601/321-1127, 
e-mail [email protected]). For the gopher tortoise, contact 
Shauna Ginger at the Jackson Field Office (phone 601/321-1130, e-mail 
[email protected]). For information on the Mississippi sandhill 
crane and yellow-blotched map turtle, contact Linda LaClaire at the 
Jackson Field Office (phone 601/321-1126, e-mail [email protected]). For information on pondberry, green pitcher- plant, 
Mohr's Barbara button, and Louisiana quillwort, contact Cary Norquist 
at the Jackson Field Office (phone 601/321-1128, e-mail [email protected]).
    We request any new information concerning the status of any of 
these 10 species. See ``What information do we consider in a 5-year 
review?'' heading 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.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that the 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: We publish this document under the authority of the 
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: December 30, 2009.
Patrick Leonard,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-8103 Filed 4-8-10; 8:45 am]
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