[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 81 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24767-24768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09884]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R7-ES-2013-N066; FXFR13370700000-134-FF07CAMM00]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Announcement of 
Active 5-Year Status Review of the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population 
Segment of the Northern Sea Otter

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Announcement of active review; request for information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are announcing an 
active 5-year status review under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
as amended (Act), of the southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment 
(DPS) of

[[Page 24768]]

the northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni). A 5-year status 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 that has become available since the last review for the 
species.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we are requesting submission of new 
information no later than June 25, 2013. However, we will continue to 
accept new information about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Please submit your information in writing by any one of the 
following methods:
     U.S. mail: Deborah Pierce Williams, Chief, Marine Mammals 
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, attention: Northern Sea 
Otter 5-year Review, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503;
     Hand-delivery: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. 
Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503;
     Fax: 907-786-3816; or
     Email: [email protected].

    For more about submitting information, see ``Request for 
Information'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frances Mann, Sea Otter Program Lead, 
Marine Mammals Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, by telephone 
at 907-786-3668, or at the above address, fax number, or email address. 
Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the 
Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Why do we conduct a 5-year review?

    Under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we maintain Lists of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (which we collectively 
refer to as the List) in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 
CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section 4(c)(2) of the 
Act requires us to review each listed species' status at least once 
every 5 years. Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish 
a notice in the Federal Register announcing those species that are 
under active review.
    For additional information about 5-year reviews, refer to our 
factsheet at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/what-we-do/recovery-overview.html.

What information do we consider in our review?

    A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time 
of the review. In conducting these reviews, we consider the best 
scientific and commercial data that have become available since the 
listing determination or most recent status review, 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 that benefit 
the species;
    (D) Threat status and trends in relation to the five listing 
factors (as defined in section 4(a)(1) of the Act); 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.
    Any new information will be considered during the 5-year review and 
will also be used to evaluate the ongoing recovery programs for the 
species.

Species Under Review

    This notice announces our active review of the southwest Alaska 
Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the northern sea otter, which is 
currently listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The 
final listing rule for this DPS of the northern sea otter was published 
on August 9, 2005 (70 FR 46366). A draft recovery plan for this DPS of 
the northern sea otter was completed in August 2010 and is available at 
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/recovery.htm.

Request for Information

    To ensure that a 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we request new 
information from all sources. See ``What Information Do We Consider in 
Our Review?'' for specific criteria. If you submit information, please 
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.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email 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.
    Comments and materials received will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the offices 
where the comments are submitted.

Completed and Active Reviews

    A list of all completed and currently active 5-year reviews 
addressing species for which the Alaska Region of the Service has lead 
responsibility is available at http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/endangered/reviews.htm.

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: April 19, 2013.
Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Regional Director, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-09884 Filed 4-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P