[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16951-16953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06223]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2019-N172; FXES11130900000C2-201-FF09E32000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-
Year Status Reviews for 25 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, are initiating 5-year 
status reviews of 25 species under the Endangered Species Act, as 
amended. A 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and 
commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting 
submission of information that has become available since the last 
reviews of these species.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct these reviews, we must 
receive your comments or information on or before May 26, 2020. 
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 that we receive on these species, see Request for New 
Information under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For species-specific information, see 
Request for New Information under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. 
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 5-year reviews?

    Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we maintain lists of endangered and threatened 
wildlife and plant species in title 50 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.11 (for wildlife) and 17.12 (for plants) 
(List). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA 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 under active review. For additional 
information about 5-year reviews, go to http://www.fws.gov/endangered/what-we-do/recovery-overview.html.

Which species are under review?

    This notice announces our active 5-year reviews of the species in 
the following table.

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                                                                                                              Final listing rule
                                     Contact person, email,   Status (endangered or     States where the      (Federal Register      Contact's mailing
    Common name/ scientific name              phone                threatened)        species is known to        citation and             address
                                                                                             occur            publication date)
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                                                                         ANIMALS
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                                                                        Reptiles
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Sea turtle, hawksbill (Eretmochelys  Ann Marie Lauritsen,    Endangered............  Alabama, American      35 FR 8491; 6/2/1970.  USFWS, 7915
 imbricata).                          [email protected],                           Samoa, Connecticut,                           Baymeadows Way,
                                      904-731-3032.                                   Delaware, Florida,                            Suite 200,
                                                                                      Georgia, Guam,                                Jacksonville, FL
                                                                                      Hawaii, Louisiana,                            32256.
                                                                                      Maine, Maryland,
                                                                                      Massachusetts,
                                                                                      Mississippi, New
                                                                                      Hampshire, New
                                                                                      Jersey, New York,
                                                                                      North Carolina,
                                                                                      Northern Mariana
                                                                                      Islands, Palau,
                                                                                      Puerto Rico, Rhode
                                                                                      Island, Texas,
                                                                                      Virginia, Virgin
                                                                                      Islands.
Snake, black pine (Pituophis         Matthew Hinderliter,    Threatened............  Alabama, Mississippi.  80 FR 60468; 10/6/     USFWS, 6578 Dogwood
 melanoleucus lodingi).               mississippi_field_off                                                  2015.                  View Pkwy., Jackson,
                                      [email protected], 601-321-                                                                         MS 39213.
                                      1132.
Turtle, Alabama red-bellied          Linda LaClaire,         Endangered............  Alabama, Mississippi.  52 FR 22939; 6/16/     USFWS, 6578 Dogwood
 (Pseudemys alabamensis).             mississippi_field_off                                                  1987.                  View Pkwy., Jackson,
                                      [email protected], 601-321-                                                                         MS 39213.
                                      1126.
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[[Page 16952]]

 
                                                                       Amphibians
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Frog, dusky gopher (Rana sevosa)...  Linda LaClaire,         Endangered............  Alabama, Louisiana,    66 FR 62993; 12/4/     USFWS, 6578 Dogwood
                                      mississippi_field_off                           Mississippi.           2001.                  View Pkwy., Jackson,
                                      [email protected], 601-321-                                                                         MS 39213.
                                      1126.
Coqui, golden (Eleutherodactylus     Felix Lopez,            Threatened............  Puerto Rico..........  42 FR 58756; 11/11/    USFWS, Road 301, Km
 jasperi).                            [email protected],                                                  1977.                  5.1, P.O. Box 491,
                                      787-851-7297.                                                                                 Boquer[oacute]n, PR
                                                                                                                                    00622.
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                                                                         Fishes
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Darter, amber (Percina antesella)..  Robin Goodloe,          Endangered............  Georgia/Tennessee....  50 FR 31597; 8/5/1985  USFWS, 355 East
                                      [email protected],                                                                            Hancock Ave., Room
                                      706-613-9493.                                                                                 320, Athens, GA
                                                                                                                                    30601.
Darter, Cherokee (Etheostoma         Robin Goodloe,          Threatened............  Georgia..............  59 FR 65505; 12/20/    USFWS, 355 East
 scotti).                             [email protected],                                                     1994.                  Hancock Ave., Room
                                      706-613-9493.                                                                                 320, Athens, GA
                                                                                                                                    30601.
Darter, Etowah (Etheostoma           Robin Goodloe,          Endangered............  Georgia/Tennessee....  59 FR 65505; 12/20/    USFWS, 355 East
 etowahae).                           [email protected],                                                     1994.                  Hancock Ave., Room
                                      706-613-9493.                                                                                 320, Athens, GA
                                                                                                                                    30601.
Darter, goldline (Percina            Robin Goodloe,          Threatened............  Alabama, Georgia,      57 FR 14786; 4/22/     USFWS, 355 East
 aurolineata).                        [email protected],                              Tennessee.             1992.                  Hancock Ave., Room
                                      706-613-9493.                                                                                 320, Athens, GA
                                                                                                                                    30601.
Shiner, blue (Cyprinella caerulea).  Robin Goodloe,          Threatened............  Alabama, Georgia,      57 FR 14786; 4/22/     USFWS, 355 East
                                      [email protected],                              Tennessee.             1992.                  Hancock Ave., Room
                                      706-613-9493.                                                                                 320, Athens, GA
                                                                                                                                    30601.
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                                                                          Clams
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Clubshell, black (Pleurobema         Paul Hartfield,         Endangered............  Alabama, Mississippi.  52 FR 11162; 4/7/1987  USFWS, 6578 Dogwood
 curtum).                             mississippi_field_off                                                                         View Pkwy., Jackson,
                                      [email protected], 601-321-                                                                         MS 39213.
                                      1125.
Combshell, southern (Epioblasma      Paul Hartfield,         Endangered............  Alabama, Mississippi.  52 FR 11162; 4/7/1987  USFWS, 6578 Dogwood
 penita).                             mississippi_field_off                                                                         View Pkwy., Jackson,
                                      [email protected], 601-321-                                                                         MS 39213.
                                      1125.
Kidneyshell, fluted (Ptychobranchus  Anthony Ford,           Endangered............  Kentucky, Tennessee,   78 FR 59269; 9/26/     USFWS, 446 Neal
 subtentum).                          [email protected],                             Virginia.              2013.                  Street, Cookeville,
                                      931-528-6481.                                                                                 TN 38501.
Pearlymussel, slabside (Pleuronaia   Anthony Ford,           Endangered............  Alabama, Kentucky,     78 FR 59269; 9/26/     USFWS, 446 Neal
 dolabelloides).                      [email protected],                             Misissippi, North      2013.                  Street, Cookeville,
                                      931-528-6481.                                   Carolina, Tennessee,                          TN 38501.
                                                                                      Virginia.
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                                                                         Insects
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Butterfly, Miami blue (Cyclargus     Roxanna Hinzman,        Endangered............  Florida..............  77 FR 20948; 4/6/2012  USFWS, 1339 20th St.,
 (=Hemiargus) thomasi                 Miamiblue_5-                                                                                  Vero Beach, FL
 bethunebakeri).                      [email protected],                                                                           32960.
                                      772-469-4322.
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                                                                         PLANTS
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                                                                    Flowering Plants
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Callicarpa ampla (capa rosa).......  Jose Cruz Burgos,       Endangered............  Puerto Rico..........  57 FR 14782; 4/22/     USFWS, Road 301, Km
                                      [email protected],                                                  1992.                  5.1, P.O. Box 491,
                                      787-851-7297.                                                                                 Boquer[oacute]n, PR
                                                                                                                                    00622.
Euphorbia telephioides (telephus     Vivian Negron-Ortiz,    Threatened............  Florida..............  51 FR 34415; 9/26/     USFWS, 1601 Balboa
 spurge).                             [email protected],                                                    1986.                  Ave., Panama City,
                                      850-769-0552.                                                                                 FL 32405.
Ilex sintenisii (no common name)...  Jose Cruz Burgos,       Endangered............  Puerto Rico..........  57 FR 14782; 4/22/     USFWS, Road 301, Km
                                      [email protected],                                                  1992.                  5.1, P.O. Box 491,
                                      787-851-7297.                                                                                 Boquer[oacute]n, PR
                                                                                                                                    00622.
Lysimachia asperulaefolia (rough     Dale Suiter,            Endangered............  North Carolina, South  52 FR 22585; 6/12/     USFWS, 551 Pylon
 leaved loosestrife).                 [email protected],                             Carolina.              1987.                  Drive, #F, Raleigh,
                                      919-856-4520.                                                                                 NC 27606.
Silene polypetala (fringed campion)  Michele Elmore,         Endangered............  Florida, Georgia.....  56 FR 1932; 1/18/1991  USFWS, 355 East
                                      [email protected],                                                                            Hancock Ave., Room
                                      706-613-9493.                                                                                 320, Athens, GA
                                                                                                                                    30601.
Scutellaria montana (large-flowered  Geoff Call,             Threatened............  Georgia, Tennessee...  67 FR 1662; 1/14/2002  USFWS, 446 Neal
 skullcap).                           [email protected],                                                                           Street, Cookeville,
                                      931-528-6481.                                                                                 TN 38501.
Styrax portoricensis (palo de        Jose Cruz Burgos,       Endangered............  Puerto Rico..........  57 FR 14782; 4/22/     USFWS, Road 301, Km
 jazmin).                             [email protected],                                                  1992.                  5.1, P.O. Box 491,
                                      787-851-7297.                                                                                 Boquer[oacute]n, PR
                                                                                                                                    00622.
Ternstroemia luquillensis (palo      Jose Cruz Burgos,       Endangered............  Puerto Rico..........  57 FR 14782; 4/22/     USFWS, Road 301, Km
 colorado).                           [email protected],                                                  1992.                  5.1, P.O. Box 491,
                                      787-851-7297.                                                                                 Boquer[oacute]n, PR
                                                                                                                                    00622.
Ternstroemia subsesselis (no common  Jose Cruz Burgos,       Endangered............  Puerto Rico..........  57 FR 14782; 4/22/     USFWS, Road 301, Km
 name).                               [email protected],                                                  1992.                  5.1, P.O. Box 491,
                                      787-851-7297.                                                                                 Boquer[oacute]n, PR
                                                                                                                                    00622.

[[Page 16953]]

 
Trillium reliquum (relict trillium)  Peter Maholland,        Endangered............  Alabama, Georgia,      53 FR 10789; 4/4/1988  USFWS, 355 East
                                      [email protected],                              South Carolina.                               Hancock Ave., Room
                                      706-613-9493.                                                                                 320, Athens, GA
                                                                                                                                    30601.
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What information do we consider in our 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 the five factors under 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 Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants, and improved analytical methods.
    We request any new information concerning the status of any of 
these 25 species. 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.
    We may conduct a species status assessment (SSA) for some of these 
species. An SSA is a biological risk assessment to aid decision makers 
who must use the best available scientific information to make policy 
decisions or recommendations under the ESA. The SSA provides decision 
makers with a scientifically rigorous characterization of a species' 
status, and of the likelihood that the species will sustain 
populations, along with key uncertainties in that characterization. It 
presents a compilation of the best available information on a species, 
as well as its ecological needs, based on environmental factors. An SSA 
also describes the current condition of the species' habitat and 
demographics, and probable explanations for past and ongoing changes in 
abundance and distribution within the species' range. Finally, it 
forecasts the species' response to probable future scenarios of 
environmental conditions and conservation efforts. Overall, an SSA uses 
the conservation biology principles of resiliency, redundancy, and 
representation (collectively known as the ``3 Rs'') to evaluate the 
current and future condition of the species. As a result, the SSA 
characterizes a species' ability to sustain populations in the wild 
over time based on the best scientific understanding of current and 
future abundance and distribution within the species' ecological 
settings.

Definitions

    A. Species means any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or 
plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate 
fish or wildlife which interbreeds when mature.
    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 ESA requires 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.

Request for New Information

    To do any of the following, contact the person associated with the 
species you are interested in under the table in Which species are 
under review?, above:
    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.

Public Availability of Comments

    Comments and materials received will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the offices 
where the comments are submitted. Comments we receive become part of 
the administrative record associated with this action. 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 request in your 
comment that we withhold your personal identifying information from 
public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All 
submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their 
entirety.

Availability of Status Reviews

    All completed status reviews under the ESA are available via the 
Service website, at https://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/us-species.html.

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: December 18, 2019.
Mike Oetker,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2020-06223 Filed 3-24-20; 8:45 am]
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