[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83993-83994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28415]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2020-N108; FX3ES11130300000-201-FF03E00000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-
Year Status Review for the Northern Long-Eared Bat

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of initiation of review; request for information.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are initiating a 5-
year status review under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended, for the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis). 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 to determine whether the listed species 
should be delisted or reclassified.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written information by 
February 22, 2021. However, we will continue to accept new information 
about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Please submit information by one of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     U.S. mail: USFWS, 4101 American Boulevard East, 
Bloomington, MN 55425.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Utrup, 952-252-0092. Individuals 
who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay 
Service at 800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are initiating a 5-year status review 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.), for the northern long-eared bat (Myotis 
septentrionalis). 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.

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. 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 our factsheet.

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 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 ESA); 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.
    New information will be considered in the 5-year review and ongoing 
recovery programs for the species.

What species is under review?

    This notice announces our active 5-year status review for the 
northern long-eared bat.

[[Page 83994]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Final listing
                                                                                                  rule  (Federal
                                                  Taxonomic                                          Register
         Common name           Scientific name      group       Listing status    Where listed     citation and
                                                                                                   publication
                                                                                                      date)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern long-eared bat......  Myotis           Mammal.......  T..............  U.S.A. (AL, AR,  80 FR 17973;
                                septentrionali                                   CT, DE, DC,      April 2,
                                s.                                               FL, GA, IL,      2015.\1\
                                                                                 IN, IA, KS,
                                                                                 KY, LA, ME,
                                                                                 MD, MA, MI,
                                                                                 MN, MS, MO,
                                                                                 MT, NE, NH,
                                                                                 NJ, NY, NC,
                                                                                 ND, OH, OK,
                                                                                 PA, RI, SC,
                                                                                 SD, TN, VT,
                                                                                 VA, WV, WI,
                                                                                 WY); Canada
                                                                                 (AB, BC, LB,
                                                                                 MB, NB, NF,
                                                                                 NS, NT, ON,
                                                                                 PE, QC, SK,
                                                                                 YT).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Request for Information
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A court remanded the final rule to the Service for a new 
listing determination consistent with the court's order. Center for 
Biological Diversity v. Everson, 435 F. Supp. 3d (D.D.C. 2020). The 
ruling did not invalidate the final rule or change the threatened 
status of the northern long-eared bat.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 Submissions

    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.

Authority

    We publish this notice under the authority of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Lori Nordstrom,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2020-28415 Filed 12-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P