[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64333-64334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25227]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R7-ES-2019-N108; FXES11140700000-190-FF07CAAN00]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-
Year Status Reviews of the Short-Tailed Albatross (Phoebastria 
albatrus) and the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the 
Northern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are initiating 5-year 
status reviews of the short-tailed albatross and the Southwest Alaska 
distinct population segment of the northern sea otter under the 
Endangered Species Act. A 5-year status review is based on the best 
scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We 
are requesting submission of any new information on these species that 
has become available since the last reviews of these species.

DATES: To ensure consideration of your comments in our preparation of 
these 5-year status reviews, we must receive your comments and 
information by January 21, 2020. However, we will accept information 
about the species at any time.

ADDRESSES: For short-tailed albatross, 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, Attention: Leah Kenney, Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field 
Office, 4700 BLM Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99507.
    For the Southwest Alaska distinct population segment of the 
northern sea otter, 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, Attention: Michelle St. Martin, Marine Mammals Management 
Office, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.
    For more about submitting information, see Request for Information 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For short-tailed albatross: Leah 
Kenney, by telephone at 907-271-2440. For the Southwest Alaska distinct 
population segment of the northern sea otter: Michelle St. Martin, by 
telephone at 1-

[[Page 64334]]

800-362-5148. 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 5-year status reviews of the short-tailed 
albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) and the Southwest Alaska distinct 
population segment (DPS) of the northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris 
kenyoni) 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 last 5-year reviews were 
conducted in 2014 (short-tailed albatross) and 2013 (Southwest Alaska 
DPS of the northern sea otter).

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.

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: Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus).
     Where listed: Wherever found.
     Classification: Endangered.
     Date listed (publication date for final listing rule): 
July 31, 2000.
     Federal Register citation for final listing rule: 65 FR 
46643.
    Entity listed: Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the 
Northern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni).
     Where listed: Southwest Alaska, from Attu Island to 
Western Cook Inlet, including Bristol Bay, the Kodiak Archipelago, and 
the Barren Islands.
     Classification: Threatened.
     Date listed (publication date for final listing rule): 
August 9, 2005.
     Federal Register citation for final listing rule: 70 FR 
46366.

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 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 status reviews 
addressing species for which the Alaska Region of the Service has the 
lead responsibility is available at https://www.fws.gov/alaska/pages/endangered-species-program/recovery-endangered-species.

Authority

    This document is published under the authority of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Mary Colligan,
Assistant Regional Director, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. 2019-25227 Filed 11-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P