[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1091-1092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00032]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA644]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-Year Review 
of Staghorn Coral, Elkhorn Coral, Pillar Coral, Rough Cactus Coral, 
Lobed Star Coral, Mountainous Star Coral, and Boulder Star Coral

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-Year Review; request for information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces a 5-year review of staghorn coral (Acropora 
cervicornis), elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), pillar coral 
(Dendrogyra cylindrus), rough cactus coral (Mycetophyllia ferox), lobed 
star coral (Orbicella annularis), mountainous star coral (Orbicella 
faveolata), and boulder star coral (Orbicella franksi) under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). A 5-year 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 
on staghorn coral, elkhorn coral, pillar coral, rough cactus coral, 
lobed star coral, mountainous star coral, and boulder star coral that 
has become available since their original listings as threatened 
species or the most recent status review for staghorn and elkhorn coral 
in 2014.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than March 8, 2021.
    However, we will continue to accept new information about any 
listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2020-0147, by 
either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
    1. Go to www.regulations.gov/document?D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0147,
    2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, 
and
    3. Enter or attach your comments.
     Email: Submit written comments to 
[email protected].
    Instructions: We may not consider comments if they are sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the specified period. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. We will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alison Moulding at the above email 
address or by phone at 727-551-5607.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 9, 2006, we listed elkhorn coral and 
staghorn coral as threatened under the ESA (71 FR 26852). On September 
10, 2014, we listed lobed star coral, mountainous star coral, boulder 
star coral, rough cactus coral, and pillar coral as threatened and 
reaffirmed the status of elkhorn coral and staghorn coral as threatened 
(79 FR 53852). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a 
review of listed species at least once every 5 years. The ESA's 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a 
notice in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under 
active review. On the basis of this review, under section 4(c)(2)(B), 
we determine whether these species should be delisted or reclassified 
from endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. As 
described in 50 CFR 424.11(e), the Secretary will delist a species if 
the Secretary finds that, after conducting a status review based on the 
best scientific and commercial data available: (1) The species is 
extinct; (2) the species does not meet the definition of an endangered 
species or threatened species; or (3) the listed entity does not meet 
the statutory definition of a species. Changes to the listing status of 
a species can only be made following publication of a proposed rule 
with an opportunity for public comment and our consideration of the 
comments before making a final determination to reclassify or delist 
the species.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new

[[Page 1092]]

information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the 
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other 
interested parties concerning the status of staghorn coral, elkhorn 
coral, pillar coral, rough cactus coral, lobed star coral, mountainous 
star coral, and boulder star coral.
    The 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data 
and all new information that has become available since the listing 
determination or most recent status review. Categories of requested 
information include (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) status and trends of threats; 
and (E) other new information, data, or corrections including, but not 
limited to, taxonomic or nomenclature changes and improved analytical 
methods.
    If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may 
submit your information and materials electronically at 
www.regulations.gov or via email (see ADDRESSES section). We request 
that all information be accompanied by supporting documentation such as 
maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of pertinent publications. 
We also would appreciate the submitter's name, address, and any 
association, institution, or business that the person represents; 
however, anonymous submissions will also be accepted.

(Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)

    Dated: January 4, 2021.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-00032 Filed 1-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P