[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53495-53496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23078]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R7-ES-2018-N113; FXES11140700000-178-FF07CAAN00]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of a 5-
Year Status Review of the Wood Bison

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are 
initiating a 5-year status review of the wood bison under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA). 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 new information 
on this species that has become available since the species was 
reclassified under the ESA as threatened throughout its range, in 2012.

DATES: To ensure consideration of your comments in our preparation of 
this 5-year status review, we must receive your comments and 
information by December 24, 2018. However, we will accept information 
about the species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Please submit your information by one of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]; or
     U.S. mail or hand delivery: U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Attn: Wood Bison, 4700 BLM Road, Anchorage, AK 99507.

[[Page 53496]]

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Foley, Anchorage Fish and 
Wildlife Conservation Office, by telephone at 907-271-2788. Individuals 
who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay 
Service at 800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), are initiating a 5-year status review of the wood bison 
(Bison bison athabascae) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). 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 new information 
on this species that has become available since the species was 
reclassified under the ESA as threatened throughout its range, in 2012.

Why do we conduct 5-year reviews?

    Under the ESA, 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)(A) of the ESA requires us to review 
each listed species' status at least once every 5 years. Further, our 
regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the 
Federal Register announcing those species under active review. For 
additional information about 5-year reviews, go to http://www.fws.gov/endangered/what-we-do/recovery-overview.html, scroll down to ``Learn 
More about 5-Year Reviews,'' and click on the ``5-Year Reviews'' link.

What information do we consider in our 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:
    (1) The biology of the species, including but not limited to 
population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics;
    (2) Habitat conditions, including but not limited to amount, 
distribution, and suitability;
    (3) Conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit 
the species;
    (4) Threat status and trends in relation to the five listing 
factors (as defined in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA); and
    (5) 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 useful in evaluating the ongoing recovery programs for the 
species.

Species Under Review

    Entity listed: Wood bison (Bison bison athabascae).
    Where listed: Wherever found.
    Classification: Threatened.
    Date listed (publication date for final listing rule): June 2, 
1970.
    Federal Register citation for final listing rule: 35 FR 8491.

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. 
If you submit purported sightings of the species, please also provide 
supporting documentation in any form to the extent that it is 
available.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email 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.

Completed and Active Reviews

    A list of all completed and currently active 5-year reviews 
addressing species for which the Alaskan Region of the Service has lead 
responsibility is available at http://www.fws.gov/alaska/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: October 10, 2018.
Mary Colligan,
Assistant Regional Director, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. 2018-23078 Filed 10-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P\