[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31875-31880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13479]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2015-0028: FF09E42000 156 FXES11130900000]
RIN 1018-AX99


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the 
Hualapai Mexican Vole From the Federal List of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule and 12-month petition finding; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: Under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), 
announce a 12-month finding on a petition and a proposed rule to remove 
the Hualapai Mexican vole (Microtus mexicanus hualpaiensis) from the 
Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife because the original 
classification is no longer the most appropriate determination. This 
action is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific 
and commercial information, which indicates that the currently listed 
subspecies is not a valid taxonomic entity. We are seeking information, 
data, and comments from the public on this proposed rule.

DATES: To ensure that we are able to consider your comments on this 
proposed rule, they must be received or postmarked on or before August 
3, 2015. Comments submitted to the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see 
ADDRESSES) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing 
date. Any comments that we receive after the closing date may not be 
considered in the final decision on this action. We must receive 
requests for public

[[Page 31876]]

hearings, in writing, at the address shown below in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT by July 20, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Search for FWS-R2-ES-2015-0028, which is the 
docket number for this rulemaking.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public 
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R2-ES-2011-0037; Division of Policy, 
Performance, and Management Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 220411-3803.
    We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see the Information Requested section below for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, 
2321 W. Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85021; by telephone 
(602-242-0210) or by facsimile (602-242-2513). If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Information Requested

    Any final action resulting from this proposed rule will be based on 
the best scientific and commercial data available and be as accurate as 
possible. Therefore, we request comments or information from the 
public, other concerned governmental agencies, Native American Tribes, 
the scientific community, industry, or other interested parties 
concerning this proposed rule. The comments that will be most useful 
and likely to influence our decisions are those supported by data or 
peer-reviewed studies and those that include citations to, and analyses 
of, applicable laws and regulations. Please make your comments as 
specific as possible and explain the basis for them. In addition, 
please include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to 
authenticate any scientific or commercial data you reference or 
provide. In particular, we seek comments concerning the following:
    (1) New information concerning the taxonomic classification and 
conservation status of Hualapai Mexican voles and Mexican voles in 
general;
    (2) New information on the historical and current status, range, 
distribution, and population size of Hualapai Mexican voles, including 
the locations of any additional populations; and,
    (3) New information regarding the life history, ecology, and 
habitat use of Hualapai Mexican voles.
    Please note that submissions merely stating support for or 
opposition to the action under consideration without providing 
supporting information, although noted, will not be considered in 
making a determination, as section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that 
determinations as to whether any species is an endangered or threatened 
species must be made ``solely on the basis of the best scientific and 
commercial data available.''
    Prior to issuing a final rule on this proposed action, we will take 
into consideration all comments and any additional information we 
receive. Such information may lead to a final rule that differs from 
this proposal. All comments and recommendations, including names and 
addresses, will become part of the administrative record.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed 
rule by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We will not consider 
comments sent by email, fax, or to an address not listed in ADDRESSES. 
If you submit information via http://www.regulations.gov, your entire 
submission--including any personal identifying information--will be 
posted on the Web site. Please note that comments posted to this Web 
site are not immediately viewable. When you submit a comment, the 
system receives it immediately. However, the comment will not be 
publicly viewable until we post it, which might not occur until several 
days after submission.
    If you mail or hand-deliver hardcopy comments that include personal 
identifying information, you may request at the top of your document 
that we withhold this information from public review. However, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. To ensure that the 
electronic docket for this rulemaking is complete and all comments we 
receive are publicly available, we will post all hardcopy submissions 
on http://www.regulations.gov.
    In addition, comments and materials we receive, as well as 
supporting documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will 
be available for public inspection in two ways:
    (1) You can view them on http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search 
box, enter FWS-R2-ES-2015-0028, which is the docket number for this 
rulemaking.
    (2) You can make an appointment, during normal business hours, to 
view the comments and materials in person at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service's Arizona Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

Public Hearing

    Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act provides for one or more public 
hearings on this proposed rule, if requested. We must receive requests 
for public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT by the date shown in DATES. We will schedule public 
hearings on this proposal, if any are requested, and places of those 
hearings, as well as how to obtain reasonable accommodations, in the 
Federal Register at least 15 days before the first hearing.

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires 
that, for any petition to revise the Federal Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants that contains substantial scientific or 
commercial information that delisting a species may be warranted, we 
make a finding within 12 months of the date of receipt of the petition. 
In this finding, we determine whether the petitioned action is: (a) Not 
warranted, (b) warranted, or (c) warranted, but immediate proposal of a 
regulation implementing the petitioned action is precluded by other 
pending proposals to determine whether species are threatened or 
endangered, and expeditious progress is being made to add or remove 
qualified species from the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife and Plants. Section 4(b)(3)(C) of the Act requires that we 
treat a petition for which the requested action is found to be 
warranted but precluded as though resubmitted on the date of such 
finding, that is, requiring a subsequent finding to be made within 12 
months. We must publish these 12-month findings in the Federal 
Register. This document represents our 12-month warranted finding on an 
August 18, 2004, petition by the Arizona Game and Fish Department 
(AGFD) to delist the Hualapai Mexican vole and a proposed rule to 
remove the Hualapai Mexican vole from the Federal List of Endangered 
and Threatened Wildlife due to data indicating that the original 
classification is no longer the appropriate determination.

Previous Federal Actions

    The Hualapai Mexican vole was included in a list of species 
considered for listing in our Notice of Review published on December 
30, 1982 (47 FR 58454). We published a proposed rule to list the 
Hualapai Mexican vole as

[[Page 31877]]

endangered on January 5, 1987 (52 FR 306). The Hualapai Mexican vole 
was listed as an endangered subspecies on October 1, 1987, without 
critical habitat (52 FR 36776). On August 19, 1991, a Recovery Plan for 
the Hualapai Mexican vole was finalized and signed by the Regional 
Director (Service 1991). The recovery plan outlined recovery objectives 
and provided management actions and research priorities, but did not 
contain recovery criteria for downlisting or delisting because of lack 
of information on the vole's biology and life history requirements 
(Service 1991, p. iv).
    On August 23, 2004, we received a petition dated August 18, 2004, 
from the AGFD requesting that the Hualapai Mexican vole be delisted 
under the Act. Included in the petition was information in support of 
delisting the Hualapai Mexican vole because the original classification 
is no longer the appropriate determination due to evidence that the 
Hualapai Mexican vole is not a valid subspecies. On May 15, 2008, we 
announced a 90-day finding in the Federal Register (73 FR 28094) that 
the petition presented substantial information to indicate that the 
petitioned action may be warranted. Further, on March 29, 2010, we 
published a notice initiating 5-year status reviews for the Hualapai 
Mexican vole as well as 13 other species (75 FR 15454). However, the 5-
year status review for the Hualapai Mexican vole was not completed.
    On January 8, 2015, we received a 60-day notice of intent to sue 
from Sedgwick LLC (representing Mohave County and American Stewards for 
Liberty) for failure to publish a 12-month finding on the status of the 
Hualapai Mexican vole. This document represents our 12-month warranted 
finding on the August 18, 2004, petition by the AGFD to delist the 
Hualapai Mexican vole and a proposed rule to remove the Hualapai 
Mexican vole from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife because the original classification is no longer the 
appropriate determination due to evidence that the Hualapai Mexican 
vole is not a valid subspecies.

Species Information

    Goldman (1938, pp. 493-494) described and named the Hualapai 
Mexican vole as Microtus mexicanus hualpaiensis in 1938. Goldman's 
(1938, pp. 493-494) subspecies description was based on four specimens; 
Cockrum (1960, p. 210), Hall (1981, p. 481), and Hoffmeister (1986, pp. 
444-445) all recognized Goldman's description. Hoffmeister (1986, pp. 
444-445) further recognized the Microtus mexicanus hualpaiensis 
subspecies based on an examination of morphological characteristics 
from seven additional specimens collected in two areas in Arizona 
(i.e., Hualapai Mountains and lower end of Prospect Valley).
    Based on morphological measurements, the Hualapai Mexican vole was 
previously considered one of three subspecies of Mexican voles 
(Microtus mexicanus) in Arizona (Kime et al. 1995, p. 1). The three 
subspecies of Mexican voles were the Hualapai Mexican vole (M. m. 
hualpaiensis), Navajo Mexican vole (M. m. navaho), and Mogollon Mexican 
vole (M. m. mogollonensis). The Hualapai Mexican vole differed from the 
Navajo Mexican vole subspecies by a slightly longer body, longer tail, 
and longer and broader skull (Hoffmeister 1986, p. 443). Additionally, 
the Navajo Mexican vole's range was farther to the northeast. The 
Haulapai Mexican vole was also differentiated from the Mogollon Mexican 
vole subspecies, located farther to the east, by a longer body, shorter 
tail, and a longer and narrower skull (Hoffmeister 1986, p. 443).
    The final listing rule for the Hualapai Mexican vole (52 FR 36776; 
October 1, 1987) stated that this subspecies occupied the Hualapai 
Mountains, but also acknowledged that Spicer et al. (1985, p. 10) had 
found similar voles from the Music Mountains, which are located farther 
to the north in Arizona. The final listing rule (52 FR 36776; October 
1, 1987) also stated that Hoffmeister (1986, p. 445) had tentatively 
assigned specimens from Prospect Valley to the Hualapai Mexican vole 
subspecies, pending a larger sample size. In addition, the final 
listing rule (52 FR 36776; October 1, 1987) stated that, if future 
taxonomic evaluation of voles from the Music Mountains and Prospect 
Valley should confirm that they are indeed the Hualapai Mexican vole 
subspecies, then they would be considered part of the federally listed 
entity. However, we never recognized Hualapai voles outside of the 
Hualapai Mountains due to insufficient data to support recognition of 
additional populations.
    In May 1998, we reviewed Frey and Yates 1995 unpublished report, 
``Hualapai Vole (Microtus mexicanus hualpaiensis) Genetic Study'', to 
determine if Hualapai Mexican voles occur in additional areas outside 
of the Hualapai Mountains. We found that the report did not provide 
sufficient data for us to conclude that populations outside the 
Hualapai Mountains are Hualapai Mexican voles. On May 29, 1998, the 
Southwest Regional Director's Office issued a memo to the Arizona 
Ecological Services Field Office stating that we would only consult on 
voles in the Hualapai Mountains until further investigations resulted 
in data definitive enough to establish that the Hualapai Mexican voles 
had a wider distribution than recognized at the time of listing. Thus, 
we referenced the memo in all requests for consultations on Federal 
projects outside the Hualapai Mountains. For these reasons, we have 
only considered the Hualapai Mexican vole's range to be the Hualapai 
Mountains.
    Since the Hualapai Mexican vole was listed in 1987 (52 FR 36776; 
October 1, 1987), several studies on the subspecies' distribution, 
morphological characteristics, and genetic relationships to other 
Mexican vole subspecies were undertaken. We briefly describe these 
studies below. Researchers did not collect or analyze samples from the 
exact same locations, so locations across studies do not necessarily 
match. At this time, these studies represent the best scientific 
information available in order for us to analyze Hualapai Mexican vole 
distribution and taxonomic classification.
    In a 1989 unpublished master's thesis, Frey conducted an extensive 
study of geographic variation of specimens from throughout the range of 
the Microtus mexicanus group, which included populations in the United 
States and Mexico. Frey (1989) analyzed 44 external and 19 cranial 
characters from 1,775 vole specimens. Based on morphological analysis, 
Frey (1989, p. 50) recommended that specimens from the Bradshaw 
Mountains (Coconino County, AZ), which was formerly considered the 
Mogollon Mexican vole subspecies, be reassigned to the Hualapai Mexican 
vole subspecies, (Hoffmeister, 1986). Frey (1989, p. 50) concluded that 
two specimens that had been discovered from the Music Mountains (Mohave 
County, AZ) were morphologically distinct from other recognized 
subspecies, and these two specimens represented a previously 
unrecognized taxonomy. Frey's (1989) study did not include specimens 
from Prospect Valley.
    Frey and Yates (1993, pp. 1-23) conducted a genetic analysis of 
Hualapai Mexican vole tissue samples taken from 83 specimens across 13 
populations using protein electrophoresis and mitochondrial DNA. The 13 
populations represented all 3 subspecies in Arizona and 1 population 
from Mexico (Frey and Yates 1993, p. 20). Their results showed that 
three populations (i.e., Hualapai Mountains,

[[Page 31878]]

Hualapai Indian Reservation, and Music Mountains) form a closely 
related group distinct from other populations in Arizona (Frey and 
Yates 1993, p. 10). According to their analysis, populations in the 
Hualapai Mountains, Hualapai Indian Reservation, and Music Mountains 
could be regarded as the Hualapai Mexican vole subspecies. Further, 
Frey and Yates (1993, p. 10) found that the Navajo Mexican vole 
subspecies populations from San Francisco Peaks and the Grand Canyon 
occurred in a clade (i.e., related by a common ancestor) with the 
Mogollon Mexican vole subspecies populations along the Mogollon Rim. 
Frey and Yates (1993, p. 10) suggested that this grouping questions the 
validity of Navajo Mexican vole as a separate subspecies. However, in 
order to verify this suggestion, specimens would need to be examined 
from the type locality of the Navajo Mexican vole subspecies, which is 
Navajo Mountain, Utah (Frey and Yates 1993, p. 10). The authors 
recommended additional analyses, including larger sample sizes, to 
clarify the arrangement in three separate subspecies (Frey and Yates 
1993, p. 10). At that time, we continued to recognize only recognize 
the Hualapai Mexican vole subspecies as occurring in the Hualapai 
Mountains.
    Frey and Yates (1995) continued their genetic work on Mexican vole 
subspecies and analyzed 173 specimens from 28 populations (16 from 
Arizona, 10 from New Mexico, 1 from Utah, and 1 from Mexico) using 
protein electrophoresis and mitochondrial DNA. They found that six 
populations (Hualapai Mountains, Hualapai Indian Reservation, Music 
Mountains, Aubrey Cliffs/Chino Wash, Santa Maria Mountains, and 
Bradshaw Mountains) may be the Hualapai vole subspecies (Frey and Yates 
1995, p. 9). The authors found unique alleles at two loci in these six 
populations, which identified them as being closely related (Frey and 
Yates 1995, p. 9). Based on geographic proximity, Frey and Yates (1995, 
p. 8) suspected that two other populations (Round Mountain and Sierra 
Prieta) could be the Hualapai vole subspecies, but they did not have 
adequate samples for genetic verification.
    Additional genetic analyses were conducted by Busch et al. (2001). 
Busch et al. (2001, p. 4) examined nuclear genetic markers from 42 
specimens across six populations in northwestern Arizona (Hualapai 
Mountains, Prospect Valley, Bradshaw Mountains, Sierra Prieta, 
Prescott, and Mingus Mountains) using Amplified Fragment Length 
Polymorphism (AFLP). Additionally, they examined mitochondrial (D-loop) 
DNA from 83 specimens across 13 populations in Arizona (Hualapai 
Mountains, Prospect Valley, Bradshaw Mountains, Sierra Prieta, 
Prescott, Mingus Mountains, South Rim Grand Canyon, San Francisco 
Mountain, Mogollon Rim, White Mountains, Chuska Mountains, Aubrey 
Cliffs, and Navajo Mountain). Results from their study did not support 
the separation of Mexican voles into three distinct subspecies based on 
nuclear and mitochondrial genetic analyses (Busch et al. 2001, p. 12). 
Populations referred to as the Navajo Mexican vole subspecies from 
Navajo Mountain, Mingus Mountain, San Francisco Peaks, and the Grand 
Canyon South Rim and populations referred to as the Mogollon Mexican 
vole subspecies from the Mogollon Rim, Chuska Mountains, and White 
Mountains were genetically similar to Mexican voles in the Hualapai 
Mountains, Hualapai Indian Reservation, Aubrey Cliffs, Bradshaw 
Mountains, Watson Woods, and Sierra Prieta (Busch et al. 2001, p. 12).
    Busch et al. (2001, p. 12) suggested that only one subspecies of 
Mexican vole occurs in Arizona, but they did not suggest a new 
subspecies name or to which currently named subspecies the Mexican 
voles should belong. Further, Busch et al. (2001, p. 12) suggested that 
voles from the White Mountains and Chuska Mountains could be a 
different subspecies or may simply show some genetic differentiation 
due to geographic separation; however, their analysis was inconclusive. 
Even though Busch et al. (2001, p. 12) did not suggest a name for which 
the only subspecies of Mexican voles in Arizona belong, the AGFD's 
(2004, p. 4) petition referred to Busch et al.'s (2001) single 
subspecies as Microtus mexicanus hualpaiensis.
    In 2003, the AGFD sent the Busch et al. (2001) report to five 
genetic experts representing the Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife 
Research Unit, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, University of 
Colorado at Boulder, Oklahoma State University, and New Mexico State 
University for review. Four out of the five reviewers agreed with the 
Busch et al. (2001, p. 12) findings that genetic data do not support 
separation of vole populations in Arizona into three subspecies. In 
other words, the genetic similarities indicate that individual vole 
populations cannot be assigned to one of the three subspecies. Two 
reviewers agreed with Busch et al. (2001, p. 12) that a possible 
exception could be in the White Mountains and Chuska Mountains; 
however, these populations may simply be showing slightly higher 
genetic distance based on geographic separation.
    One of the five reviewers concluded that populations from the 
Hualapai Mountains, Music Mountains, and Hualapai Reservation form a 
closely related group distinct from other populations in Arizona. This 
reviewer further stated that M. m. hualpaiensis is a valid subspecies 
based on morphologic, genetic, and biogeographical data. The other four 
reviewers concurred with the conclusions of Busch et al. (2001) that 
all populations in Arizona could be referred to as M. m. hualpaiensis. 
Even though one reviewer believed that, based on morphological, 
genetic, and biogeographic evidence, populations for the Hualapai 
Mountains, Prospect Valley, Bradshaw Mountains area (including Sierra 
Prieta), and Chino Wash should be recognized as the Hualapai vole 
subspecies, the other four reviewers concurred with the Busch et al. 
(2001) report that all populations in Arizona are the same subspecies 
(AGFD 2004, p. 4).
    At our request, the AGFD sent Busch et al.'s (2001) genetic report 
to two mammalian taxonomy experts for additional review. One of the 
taxonomic reviewers agreed with the one dissenting genetic reviewer 
from 2003 who stated that there are sufficient data to support 
distinguishing more than one subspecies of Mexican voles in Arizona, 
and concurred with the genetic reviewer's population assignments (AGFD 
2004, p. 4). The other taxonomic reviewer concluded that there is no 
basis to consider the three subspecies of Mexican voles (Hualapai, 
Navajo, and Mogollon) separately. This second taxonomic reviewer stated 
that data used by Hoffmeister (1986) were insufficient to recognize 
three subspecies based on morphology, and that the genetic analyses 
conducted by Frey and Yates (1993; 1995) and Busch et al. (2001) were 
subject to methodological problems (AGFD 2004, p. 4). The second 
taxonomic reviewer asserted that all three subspecies should be 
considered as one subspecies, M. m. mogollonensis (common name not 
suggested).
    In summary, the various analyses and reviews present multiple 
interpretations of the taxonomy and distribution of Mexican voles in 
Arizona, none of which correlate with that of our original listing. The 
final listing rule for the Hualapai Mexican vole (52 FR 36776; October 
1, 1987) relied on the best available information at the time, and only 
included Mexican voles found in the Hualapai Mountains. The various 
published and unpublished reports all

[[Page 31879]]

offer different conclusions about which populations may or may not be 
Hualapai Mexican voles. At this time, the best available scientific 
information presents conflicting information on the taxonomy of Mexican 
voles in general, and no longer supports the recognition of a separate 
Hualapai Mexican vole subspecies. Reviews of the published and 
unpublished reports have inconsistent conclusions. However, there is 
sufficient evidence to indicate that the currently listed entity for 
the Hualapai Mexican vole is no longer a valid taxonomic subspecies. 
Therefore, based on the best available scientific and commercial 
information at this time, we find that the petitioned action to delist 
the subspecies is warranted, and we propose to remove the Hualapai 
Mexican vole (Microtus mexicanus hualpaiensis) from the Federal List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife due to recent data indicating that 
the original determination is no longer appropriate.

Finding

    We reviewed the petition, information available in our files, other 
available published and unpublished information, and we consulted with 
genetic and taxonomic experts and other Federal, State, and Tribal 
agencies. On the basis of the best scientific and commercial 
information available, we find that the petitioned action to delist the 
Hualapai Mexican vole is warranted because the original determination 
at the time the species was classified as endangered in 1987 is now in 
error and is no longer appropriate. There is sufficient evidence to 
indicate that the currently listed entity for the Hualapai Mexican vole 
is not a valid taxonomic subspecies.
    In making this finding, we have followed the procedures set forth 
in section 4(a)(1) of the Act and regulations implementing the listing 
provisions of the Act in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) (50 CFR part 424). We intend that any action for the Hualapai 
Mexican vole be as accurate as possible. Therefore, we will continue to 
accept additional information and comments from all concerned 
governmental agencies, the scientific community, Native American 
Tribes, industry, or any other interested party concerning this 
finding.

Delisting Proposal

    Section 4 of the Act and its implementing regulations, 50 CFR part 
424, set forth the procedures for listing, reclassifying, or removing 
species from the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife 
and Plants. ``Species'' is defined by the Act as including any species 
or subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, and any distinct 
vertebrate population segment of fish or wildlife that interbreeds when 
mature (16 U.S.C. 1532(16)). Once the ``species'' is determined, we 
then evaluate whether that species may be endangered or threatened 
because of one or more of the five factors described in section 4(a)(1) 
of the Act. We must consider these same five factors in reclassifying 
or delisting a species. For species that are already listed as 
endangered or threatened, the analysis of threats must include an 
evaluation of both the threats currently facing the species and the 
threats that are reasonably likely to affect the species in the 
foreseeable future following the delisting or downlisting and the 
removal or reduction of the Act's protections. We may delist a species 
according to 50 CFR 424.11(d) if the best available scientific and 
commercial data indicate that the species is neither endangered or 
threatened for the following reasons: (1) The species is extinct; (2) 
the species has recovered and is no longer endangered or threatened; 
and/or (3) the original scientific data used at the time the species 
was classified were in error. We determine that the original 
classification is in error because there is sufficient evidence that 
the currently listed entity for the Hualapai Mexican vole is not a 
valid taxonomic subspecies.

Effects of This Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule, if made final, would revise our regulations at 
50 CFR 17.11(h) by removing the Hualapai Mexican vole throughout its 
range from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. 
Because no critical habitat was ever designated for this subspecies, 
this rule would not affect 50 CFR 17.95.
    The prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act 
would no longer apply for the Hualapai Mexican vole. Interstate 
commerce, import, and export of this species would not be prohibited 
under the Act. In addition, Federal agencies would no longer be 
required to consult under section 7 of the Act on actions that may 
affect this species.

Post-Delisting Monitoring

    Section 4(g)(1) of the Act requires the Secretary of the Interior, 
through the Service, to implement a system in cooperation with the 
States to monitor for not less than 5 years the status of all species 
that are removed from the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife 
and Plants (50 CFR 17.11, 17.12) due to recovery. The Hualapai Mexican 
vole is being proposed for delisting because the original determination 
at the time the species was classified is no longer appropriate. 
Because the Hualapai Mexican vole is not a valid taxonomic entity, no 
monitoring period following delisting would be required.

Peer Review

    In accordance with our joint peer review policy with the National 
Marine Fisheries Service, ``Notice of Interagency Cooperative Policy 
for Peer Review in Endangered Species Act Activities,'' that was 
published in the Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), and 
the Office of Management and Budget's Final Information Quality 
Bulletin for Peer Review, dated December 16, 2004, we will seek the 
expert opinions of at least three appropriate independent specialists 
regarding the science in this proposed rule. The purpose of peer review 
is to ensure that our delisting decision is based on scientifically 
sound data, assumptions, and analyses. We will send copies of this 
proposed rule to the peer reviewers immediately following publication 
in the Federal Register. We will invite these peer reviewers to 
comment, during the public comment period, on the specific assumptions 
and conclusions in this proposed delisting of the Hualapai Mexican 
vole. We will summarize the opinions of these reviewers in the final 
decision document, and we will consider their input and any additional 
information we received as part of our process of making a final 
decision on this proposal. Such communication may lead to a final 
decision that differs from this proposal.

Required Determinations

Clarity of the Rule

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the 
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain 
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
    (1) Be logically organized;
    (2) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (3) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (4) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (5) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel we have not met these requirements, send us comments by 
one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. To help us better revise the 
rule, your comments should be as specific as

[[Page 31880]]

possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences 
are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be 
useful, etc.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.)

    This rule does not contain any collections of information that 
require approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act. This rule will not impose recordkeeping or 
reporting requirements on State or local governments, individuals, 
businesses, or organizations. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and 
a person is not required to respond to a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

National Environmental Policy Act

    We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental 
impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, need not be prepared in connection 
with regulations adopted pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act. We 
published a notice outlining our reasons for this determination in the 
Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and the Department 
of the Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our 
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal 
Tribes on a government-to-government basis. Therefore, we will solicit 
information from Native American Tribes during the comment period to 
determine potential effects on them or their resources that may result 
from the delisting of the Hualapai Mexican vole, and we will fully 
consider their comments on the proposed rule submitted during the 
public comment period. We have already been in contact with the 
Hualapai Tribe's Natural Resource Department.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited in this rule is available 
on the Web site, http://www.regulations.gov, or upon request from the 
Field Supervisor, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Authority

    The authority for this section is section 4 of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Author(s)

    The primary authors of this document are the staff members of the 
Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

    Accordingly, we propose to amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter 
I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 17--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 1531-1544; 4201-4245; unless 
otherwise noted.


Sec.  17.11  [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  17.11(h) by removing the entry for ``Vole, Hualapai 
Mexican'' from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

    Dated: May 22, 2015.
Stephen Guertin,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-13479 Filed 6-3-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P