[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 119 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33137-33142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13257]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2019-0055; FF09E22000 FXES11130900000 201]
RIN 1018-BD49


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Kanab 
Ambersnail From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY:  We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are 
removing the Kanab ambersnail (Oxyloma haydeni kanabensis) from the 
Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. This determination 
is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific 
information. Our review indicates that the Kanab ambersnail is not a 
valid subspecies and therefore cannot be listed as an endangered entity 
under the Endangered Species Act.

DATES: This rule is effective July 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES: This final rule, the supporting documents we used in 
preparing this rule, and public comments we received are available on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-
2019-0055. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may 
call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yvette Converse, Field Supervisor, 
telephone: 801-975-3330. Direct all questions or requests for 
additional information to: Kanab Ambersnail Questions, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service; Utah Ecological Services Field Office; 2369 Orton 
Circle, Suite 50; West Valley City, Utah 84119. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay 
Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Previous Federal Actions

    On November 15, 1991, we proposed to list the Kanab ambersnail as 
an endangered species (56 FR 58020). The species' habitat was greatly 
reduced in size and the population declined, due to preparations for 
anticipated development. On April 17, 1992, we published a final rule 
listing the Kanab ambersnail as an endangered species (57 FR 13657), 
but as explained in that rule,

[[Page 33138]]

we did not designate critical habitat because we found that designation 
would be not prudent due to a danger of over-collection or purposeful 
harm or killing of snails if the locations of the snails were made 
public on critical habitat maps. On October 12, 1995, we finalized the 
Kanab ambersnail recovery plan (Service 1995, entire).
    We completed a 5-year review of the species' status in July 2011 
(Service 2011, entire). As of the time of the 2011 5-year review, 
several genetic studies indicated that at least one of the three 
populations identified as the Kanab ambersnail was potentially part of 
a different species or subspecies, but we did not consider those 
studies alone to be certain enough to recommend delisting at that time 
(Miller et al. 2000, p. 8; Stevens et al. 2000, p. 7; Culver et al. 
2007, p. 3; Service 2011, pp. 8-9). The subsequent publication of a 
larger, more comprehensive study on the genetics of the Kanab 
ambersnail and the Oxyloma genus (Culver et al. 2013, entire) resulted 
in our proposed rule to delist Kanab ambersnail based on new taxonomic 
information indicating that it was not a valid taxon, published in the 
Federal Register on January 6, 2020 (85 FR 487). Please refer to that 
proposed rule for a more detailed description of the Federal actions 
concerning this species that occurred prior to November 26, 2019.

Species Description and Habitat Information

    It is our intent to discuss only those topics directly related to 
delisting the Kanab ambersnail in this rule. For more information on 
the description, biology, ecology, and habitat of the Kanab ambersnail, 
please refer to the final listing rule published in the Federal 
Register on April 17, 1992 (57 FR 13657); the Kanab ambersnail recovery 
plan (Service 1995); the most recent 5-year review for the Kanab 
ambersnail completed in July 2011 (Service 2011); or any of the 
documents referenced by this rule. The Service documents, personal 
communications, and a list of cited literature are available as 
supporting materials on http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. 
FWS-R6-ES-2019-0055.
    The Kanab ambersnail (Oxyloma haydeni kanabensis) was taxonomically 
identified as a terrestrial snail in the family Succineidae. Succineids 
are usually referred to as ambersnails due to their mottled grayish-
amber to yellowish-amber colored shells (Sorensen and Nelson 2002, p. 
5).
    The Kanab ambersnail typically inhabits marshes and other wetlands 
watered by springs and seeps at the base of sandstone or limestone 
cliffs (Clarke 1991, pp. 28-29; Spamer and Bogan 1993, p. 296; Meretsky 
et al. 2002, p. 309). Habitat vegetation can consist of cattail (Typha 
domingensis), sedge (Juncus spp.), native crimson monkeyflower (Mimulus 
cardinalis), watercress (Nasturtium officinale), native water sedge 
(Carex aquatilis), and maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) (57 
FR 13657, April 17, 1992; Stevens et al. 1997, p. 6; Sorensen 2005, p. 
3). The Kanab ambersnail often inhabits dead and decaying litter and 
live stems of plants (Service 2011, p. 11).
    When the Kanab ambersnail was listed, we knew of two populations in 
Utah (Three Lakes and Kanab Creek Canyon) and one population in Arizona 
(Vasey's Paradise) (57 FR 13657, April 17, 1992). The Kanab Creek 
Canyon population in Utah was extirpated by 1991, after dewatering of 
the seep for livestock use severely reduced the available habitat. 
Kanab ambersnails were last found there in 1990, when three individuals 
were identified (Service 2011, p. 12). Currently, there are two 
naturally occurring populations of Kanab ambersnails (Vasey's Paradise 
in Arizona, and Three Lakes in Utah) and one introduced population 
(Upper Elves Canyon in Arizona) established with individuals 
translocated from Vasey's Paradise (Service 2011, p. 6).
    The Vasey's Paradise population was discovered in 1991 (Spamer and 
Bogan 1993, p. 47). Vasey's Paradise is a riverside spring located 
approximately 33 miles (mi) (53 kilometers (km)) downstream of Lee's 
Ferry on the Colorado River, in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona 
(Spamer and Bogan 1993, p. 37). Occupied and potential habitat at 
Vasey's Paradise is 9,041 square feet (ft\2\) (840 square meters 
(m\2\)) (Service 1995, p. ii). The population is protected by National 
Park Service regulations and the presence of poison ivy, which deters 
visitors (Stevens et al. 1997, p. 12; Sorensen 2016, pers. comm.).
    Monitoring of the Vasey's Paradise population from 2007 to present 
has relied on timed counts of live snails observed among the 
traditionally sampled vegetation patches. The timed count sampling 
provides a catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) estimate of relative abundance 
of the snails in each survey. Over the past decade, there have been 
seasonal and annual variations in CPUE estimates of the Vasey's 
Paradise population. Overall the relative abundance of this Kanab 
ambersnail population has declined substantially from the levels 
observed in the late 1990s and prior to 2002, when drought conditions 
and reduced spring flow became particularly severe (Sorensen 2015, p. 
10; Sorensen 2020, p. 1). This decline has continued since 2011 
(Sorensen 2015, p. 10; Sorensen 2020, p. 1).
    The most recent population estimate is from 2002, which estimated 
3,124 individuals and noted that population numbers could be highly 
variable from year to year (Gloss et al. 2005, p. 3). Fourteen 
individuals were collected in 2008, for genetic analysis (Culver et al. 
2013, p. 7). A survey in 2016 found only one snail, but search 
conditions were difficult and time was limited (Sorensen 2016, pers. 
comm.).
    The Three Lakes population is a series of small ponds on private 
land approximately 6 mi (10 km) northwest of Kanab, Utah (Clarke 1991, 
p. 28; Service 1995, p. 3). Occupied and potential habitat is 
approximately 4.94 acres (ac) (2 hectares (ha)) (Service 1995, p. 3). 
Available habitat is wet meadow and marsh. The habitat was greatly 
reduced in size and the population declined beginning in 1991, due to 
preparations for anticipated development, which resulted in the 
original emergency listing (57 FR 13657, April 17, 1992). The 
development anticipated at the time of listing has not occurred, and 
Kanab ambersnails were found there in 2008 (Culver et al. 2013, p. 6) 
and 2016 (Sorensen 2016, pers. comm.).
    A timed count survey of the Three Lakes population was conducted in 
early October 2011 by Service, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and 
Arizona Fish and Game Department biologists. The Three Lakes Kanab 
ambersnail population was robust with a CPUE estimate of 10.47 snails 
per 10 minutes searched (Sorensen 2011, p. 14). In 2016, the land was 
sold to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, which has expressed a 
willingness to preserve the habitat. A followup survey of the Three 
Lakes Kanab ambersnail population was conducted by the same partners in 
early May 2017, with an estimated CPUE of 158.75 snails per 10 minutes 
searched (Sorensen 2017, pers. comm.).
    Upper Elves Canyon is located approximately 83 mi (134 km) 
downstream of Vasey's Paradise on the Colorado River, in Grand Canyon 
National Park, Arizona (Sorensen 2016, p. 1). Occupied and potential 
habitat is adjacent to a perennial seep and is 1,068 ft\2\ (99.2 m\2\) 
(Sorensen 2005, p. 3). This population is protected by National Park 
Service regulations, as well as by its inaccessibility (Service 2011, 
p. 7). This population was established by the Arizona Fish and Game 
Department between 1998 and 2002, by

[[Page 33139]]

translocating 340 individuals from the Vasey's Paradise population. 
Since 2005, this population has been considered self-sustaining with an 
estimated population of approximately 700 individuals (Sorensen 2005, 
p. 9). Between 2009 and 2015, timed count surveys of the translocated 
population at Upper Elves Chasm were conducted by Arizona Game and Fish 
Department, National Park Service biologists, and volunteers. Surveys 
over this timeframe documented a small but relatively stable Kanab 
ambersnail population at the site, with CPUE estimates between 0.85 to 
4.15 snails per 10 minutes searched (Sorensen 2015, p. 12).

Taxonomy

    Kanab ambersnails were first collected in 1909, by James Ferriss 
from an area called ``The Greens,'' a vegetated seep approximately 6 mi 
(10 km) north of Kanab in Kanab Creek Canyon, Utah (57 FR 13657, April 
17, 1992; Service 1995, p. 2). However, ambersnails have not been found 
at the type locality since 1991 (Meretsky et al. 2002, p. 314; Culver 
et al. 2013, p. 6).
    The snails collected by James Ferriss in 1909 were initially placed 
in the species Succinea hawkinisi, but Pilsbry (1948, p. 797) placed 
them in Oxyloma and created the subspecies kanabensis under the species 
haydeni (57 FR 13657, April 17, 1992). The subspecies kanabensis 
classification was considered to be temporary at the time, and the 
author recommended that the taxonomic status be reconsidered in the 
future (Pilsbry 1948, p. 798; Clarke 1991, p. 23; 57 FR 13657, April 
17, 1992).
    We have assessed all available genetic information for the Kanab 
ambersnail (Miller et al. 2000, entire; Stevens et al. 2000, entire; 
Culver et al. 2013, entire). Since the listing of Kanab ambersnail in 
1992 (57 FR 13657; April 17, 1992) and the publication of the Kanab 
ambersnail recovery plan in 1995 (Service 1995, entire), several 
studies on subspecies distribution, morphological characteristics, and 
genetic relationships to other Oxyloma species have been completed. We 
briefly describe these studies below. At this time, these studies 
represent the best scientific information available in order for us to 
analyze the Kanab ambersnail's distribution and taxonomic changes.
    Various analyses can be done to determine genetic structure of a 
species, including analyses of: (1) Mitochondrial DNA, which is rapidly 
evolving and useful to determine recent populations; (2) nuclear 
microsatellite DNA, which has high amounts of genetic variation and can 
be used to look at populations within a species; (3) nuclear DNA, which 
is inherited equally from both parents (unlike mitochondrial DNA, which 
is inherited maternally); and (4) amplified fragment length 
polymorphisms (AFLP), which are used to sample multiple loci across the 
genome.
    Miller et al. (2000) used AFLP to determine intra- and inter-
population genetic information for four Oxyloma species in Utah and 
Arizona. Among these, two Niobrara ambersnail (Oxyloma haydeni haydeni) 
locations were studied at Indian Gardens (Arizona) and Minus Nine Mile 
Spring (Arizona), and two Kanab ambersnail populations were studied at 
Three Lakes (Utah) and Vasey's Paradise (Arizona) (Miller et al. 2000, 
pp. 1845-1946). From this study, the ambersnail population at Three 
Lakes appears more closely related to the Niobrara ambersnail 
population at Indian Gardens than to the ambersnail population at 
Vasey's Paradise (Miller et al. 2000, p. 1852). Upper Elves Canyon was 
not included in this study.
    Stevens et al. (2000) used mitochondrial DNA and morphological 
analysis to distinguish Succineidae (Oxyloma, Catinella, and Succinea) 
populations in the United States and Canada. The authors collected over 
450 samples from seven U.S. States and Canadian provinces, including 
from 63 different populations or locations of snails (Stevens et al. 
2000, p. 4). Determining Oxyloma species based on morphology was shown 
to be inaccurate (Stevens et al. 2000, pp. 4-5, 42). Vasey's Paradise 
did not cluster with the Three Lakes ambersnail population or the two 
sampled Niobrara ambersnail populations, leading the authors to suggest 
Vasey's Paradise might represent a unique species (Stevens et al. 2000, 
p. 41). However, a later, more comprehensive study found that Vasey's 
Paradise clustered closely enough with samples from other surrounding 
Oxyloma populations for them all to be considered part of the same 
Oxyloma species (Culver et al. 2013, p. 57).
    In this most recent and detailed peer-reviewed study, ambersnails 
were collected from 12 locations in Arizona and Utah, with each 
location providing at least 14 ambersnail specimens (Culver et al. 
2013, p. 5). Samples consisted of Kanab ambersnail, Niobrara 
ambersnail, blunt ambersnail (Oxyloma retusum), undescribed species of 
Oxyloma, and individuals from Catinella (used to provide an outgroup 
comparison) (Culver et al. 2013, p. 6). This study included samples 
from all three extant populations identified as Kanab ambersnail. 
Between the Oxyloma populations, shell morphology did not have the 
variation usually associated with different species, leading the 
authors to state that none of the 12 populations sampled was 
reproductively isolated from the others (Culver et al. 2013, p. 52). 
This information supports the finding that the three populations 
identified as Kanab ambersnail do not alone comprise a discrete taxon.
    Genetic results indicated that there was gene flow among all the 
populations sampled, most likely due to short- or long-distance 
dispersals from other populations (Culver et al. 2013, p. 57). 
Additionally, Kanab ambersnail samples from Vasey's Paradise did not 
cluster with the other two Kanab ambersnail populations (Culver et al. 
2013, pp. 51, 55). The authors concluded that the three populations of 
Kanab ambersnail are not a valid subspecies of Oxyloma haydeni and 
should instead be considered part of the same taxa as the ambersnails 
from the eight other populations of Oxyloma in Utah and Arizona that 
were sampled for comparison (Culver et al. 2013, entire). This study 
declined to positively identify a species-level taxon for these 11 
populations of ambersnail, due to lack of genetic information on the 
genus (Culver et al. 2013). The primary author stated later that her 
expert opinion was they should all, including those previously 
identified as Kanab ambersnail, be considered Niobrara ambersnail 
(Oxyloma hadenyi) (Culver 2016, pers. comm.). The authors stated that 
specimens from the type locality of the Niobrara ambersnail in Nebraska 
could be examined for comparison to verify this conclusion (Franzen 
1964, p. 73; Culver et al. 2013, p. 57; Culver 2016, pers. comm.), but 
to date, no such analysis has been done.
    The above-described Culver et al. (2013) study was released as a 
United States Geological Survey (USGS) Scientific Investigations 
Report, and the review approach was similar to that of manuscripts 
published by scientific journals. The report was initially reviewed by 
five reviewers and required subsequent revision. The report received an 
additional review following revision due to the complex subject matter. 
The response to reviewer comments and subsequent revised manuscript 
were reviewed by another independent geneticist to ensure that the 
author adequately addressed issues and comments brought up by reviewers 
(Sorensen 2014, pers. comm.). The subsequent revision that occurred 
after 2011 resulted in more genetic information added to the final 2013 
manuscript, which further substantiated

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the authors' findings (Sorensen 2014, pers. comm). As a result, we have 
a high level of confidence in the results of the Culver et al. (2013) 
genetic study.
    For the Kanab ambersnail to be considered a distinct subspecies, 
nuclear and mitochondrial DNA tests should show that the three 
populations cluster together when compared to other populations of 
ambersnails (Culver et al. 2013, p. 55). However, the Vasey's Paradise 
population does not cluster with the other two Kanab ambersnail 
populations and the degree of variation shown in Vasey's Paradise from 
the other populations is not unique enough to constitute a subspecies 
on its own, as it shares markers with several nearby populations of 
non-listed Oxyloma snails (Stevens et al. 2000, p. 41; Culver et al. 
2013, pp. 55-57).
    The genetic uniqueness in Vasey's Paradise may be attributable to 
flooding, which can erode away ideal vegetation or habitat, leaving 
only a few individuals able to survive and reestablish the population 
at that site, creating genetic bottlenecks. Genetic diversity at these 
types of sites will often be lower than at sites that have experienced 
short- or long-distance dispersals (Culver et al. 2013, p. 55). 
Furthermore, ambersnails have the ability to self-reproduce, allowing 
for colonization of new areas by only one individual. This ability may 
explain how many genetically distinct populations of Oxyloma developed 
in a relatively short time period (Culver et al. 2013, p. 56). At least 
one or more bottleneck events in the past, likely due to flooding, 
caused unusual population genetic events (Culver et al. 2013, p. 55).
    Overall, these studies show that shell morphology and anatomical 
characteristics that were once considered diagnostic do not alone 
reliably correspond with the results from genetic analyses of 
Succineidae snails (Hoagland and Davis 1987, p. 519; Pigati et al. 
2010, p. 523). Samples originally identified as different species or 
subspecies based on physical differences are consistently found to be 
related closely enough to qualify as members of the same species based 
on genetic studies (Culver et al. 2013, entire; Miller et al. 2000, 
entire; Stevens et al. 2000, entire). Traditionally, shell morphology, 
such as their slender and drawn-out spire and short shell aperture, was 
used to distinguish the Kanab ambersnail from other members of Oxyloma 
(Pilsbry 1948, pp. 797-798). However, shell shape can vary as much 
within a population as within a species (Hoagland and Davis 1987, p. 
519). Therefore, it is important to consider other factors such as 
genetics, anatomy, and habitat to determine a species within Oxyloma 
(Hoagland and Davis 1987, p. 519; Sorensen and Nelson 2002, p. 5).
    In addition to shell morphology, reproductive anatomy (phallus 
shape) was previously a main determining factor of the Oxyloma genus 
(Miller et al. 2000, p. 1853). However, anatomical descriptions used to 
classify the Kanab ambersnail had no quantifying factors, such as 
prostate gland length, and soft tissues were difficult to measure 
objectively (Pilsbry 1948, p. 798; Culver et al. 2013, pp. 52-53). It 
is difficult to achieve standard anatomical measurements with 
repeatability because of the flexibility and elasticity of soft tissues 
(Culver et al. 2013, p. 18). Overall, anatomical characteristics have 
been found to vary greatly within Oxyloma (Culver et al. 2013, p. 52).
    There have been at least two instances when a species of snail was 
placed in the wrong genus due to relying solely on the reproductive 
anatomy (Johnson et al. 1986, p. 105; Miller et al. 2000, p. 1853). In 
another case, variation in anatomical structure was found in the blunt 
ambersnail, leading the authors to conclude that the species was not 
restricted geographically as initially believed (Franzen 1963, p. 94). 
Previous Oxyloma studies have used only one or two specimens to 
determine the species' taxonomic status, which makes it difficult to 
properly assess the true status (Hoagland and Davis 1987, p. 515).
    Standards for quantifying anatomy are minimal and not descriptive 
enough, with the use of such words as small, medium, and large, which 
are vague terms and not measurable (Hoagland and Davis 1987, p. 478). 
Anatomical characteristics should not be the only factor to determine a 
species within Oxyloma, even with an understanding of the individual 
and geographical variation (Franzen 1963, p. 83). Variation between 
populations, anatomical differences among individuals, overlapping 
habitat, and minimal repeatability with measurements of anatomical 
features make it difficult to rely on anatomical descriptions to 
determine species classification (Franzen 1964, p. 80; Sorensen and 
Nelson 2002, pp. 4-5). Overall, reproductive anatomy is likely not a 
good species indicator in snails; instead, genetic relationships 
provide the most reliable method of classifying taxa.
    In summary, these analyses present multiple interpretations of the 
taxonomy of the Kanab ambersnail, none of which correlates to that of 
our original listing. Although the exact taxonomy of the genus Oxyloma 
and its constituent species remains uncertain, it is clear that the 
populations designated as the Kanab ambersnail do not make up, together 
or separately, a valid subspecies. The 1992 final listing rule for the 
Kanab ambersnail (57 FR 13657; April 17, 1992) relied on the best 
available information at the time, and included only snails found in 
Vasey's Paradise in Arizona and Three Lakes and Kanab Creek in Utah. 
This situation has changed with the addition of the 2013 genetic study 
of the Oxyloma genus in Utah and Arizona (Culver et al. 2013, entire).
    The various published and unpublished genetics reports described 
above offer different conclusions about how Succineid snails should be 
classified, particularly within the genus Oxyloma. However, none of the 
genetic studies provides support for Oxyloma haydeni kanabensis as a 
valid subspecies. Additionally, available genetic evidence suggests 
that at least one population identified as Kanab ambersnail is more 
closely related to other nearby Oxyloma populations than it is to the 
other two Kanab ambersnail populations.
    Therefore, we are delisting the Kanab ambersnail due to new 
taxonomic information that indicates that it is not a valid taxon, 
based on the best available science. The currently listed entity for 
the Kanab ambersnail, restricted to Vasey's Paradise and Upper Elves 
Canyon, Arizona, and Three Lakes, Utah, is not a valid taxonomic 
subspecies. We are unable to evaluate the populations identified as the 
Kanab ambersnail relative to the larger entity because the larger 
entity has not yet been defined from a taxonomic perspective. If we had 
additional updated information available about the taxonomy of the 
Oxyloma genus, we would conduct a status assessment of the larger 
entity, but in this case we do not have enough information to conduct 
that analysis. We do not consider the absence of information on the 
larger taxonomy of a group to be sufficient reason to keep an invalid 
subspecies listed as endangered.

Summary of Comments and Recommendations

    In the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on January 
6, 2020 (85 FR 487), we requested that all interested parties submit 
written comments on our proposal to delist the Kanab ambersnail by 
March 6, 2020. We also contacted appropriate Federal and State 
agencies, scientific experts and organizations, and other interested 
parties and invited them to comment on the proposal.

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Newspaper notices inviting general public comment were published in the 
Salt Lake Tribune and Saint George News. We did not receive any 
requests for a public hearing. All substantive information provided 
during the comment period was either incorporated directly into this 
final rule or is addressed below.

Peer Reviewer Comments

    In accordance with our joint policy on peer review published in the 
Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270) and our August 22, 2016 
memorandum updating and clarifying the role of peer review of listing 
actions under the Act (USFWS 2016, entire), we solicited expert opinion 
from seven knowledgeable individuals with scientific expertise and 
familiarity with the Kanab ambersnail, its habitat, its taxonomy, its 
biological needs and potential threats, or principles of conservation 
biology. We received responses from five peer reviewers. The purpose of 
peer review is to ensure that our listing determinations are based on 
scientifically sound data, assumptions, and analyses.
    We reviewed and addressed all comments we received from the peer 
reviewers for substantive issues and new information regarding the 
proposed delisting of the Kanab ambersnail. The peer reviewers provided 
additional information, clarifications, and suggestions to improve the 
final rule, which we include in this rule or address in the responses 
to comments below. One of the reviewers expressed support for the 
proposed action. The other four did not state support or opposition to 
the proposed changes. All reviewers found that, with their suggested 
changes: The proposed rule was accurate; we provided adequate analysis 
to support our proposed determination; there were no significant 
oversights, omissions, or inconsistencies; our conclusions were logical 
and supported by the evidence provided; and we included all pertinent 
literature to support our arguments, assumptions, and conclusions.
    All changes suggested by reviewers were incorporated into the text 
of this final rule. Such changes include additional details of 
population monitoring at all populations, an explanation of the 
rigorous review process for USGS reports, and a clarification on how 
shell morphology supports the conclusions in the Culver et al. 2013 
study. Other minor editorial clarifications and corrections were also 
made based on peer reviewer comments.

Public Comments

    We received seven letters from the public that provided comments on 
the proposed rule. Two of the commenters expressed their support for 
the proposed delisting and corroborated information we supplied in the 
rule. Four commenters expressed their opposition to it. Of these four, 
none presented substantive information to support their opposition. In 
all cases, the opposition was based on the importance of protecting 
rare species and ecosystems. While we agree that protecting rare 
species and the habitats in which they occur is important, it is not a 
relevant factor in this determination because Kanab ambersnail is not a 
valid taxon and is being delisted on that basis.
    One commenter provided some additional historical background 
regarding the naming and sampling of certain ambersnail sites mentioned 
in the proposed rule, but stated that this information did not affect 
the validity of the proposed action. We agree and thank the commenter 
for the additional detail and have added it to the record, but do not 
include it in our final rule as it does not impact our conclusions on 
taxonomy.

Delisting Determination

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing 
regulations (50 CFR part 424) set forth the procedures for listing, 
reclassifying, or removing species from the Federal Lists of Endangered 
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. ``Species'' is defined by the Act 
as including any species or subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, 
and any distinct population segment of vertebrate fish or wildlife that 
interbreeds when mature (16 U.S.C. 1532(16)). We may delist a species 
according to 50 CFR 424.11(e) if the best available scientific and 
commercial data indicate that: (1) The species is extinct; (2) the 
species does not meet the definition of an endangered or a threatened 
species; or (3) the listed entity does not meet the statutory 
definition of a species.
    For the Kanab ambersnail, we conclude that the existing best 
available scientific information demonstrates that Oxyloma haydeni 
kanabensis does not represent a valid taxonomic entity and, therefore, 
does not meet the definition of ``species'' as defined in section 3(16) 
of the Act. Therefore, Oxyloma haydeni kanabensis no longer warrants 
listing under the Act. The Kanab ambersnail does not require a post-
delisting monitoring plan because the requirements for a monitoring 
plan do not apply to species that are delisted for not meeting the 
statutory definition of a species.

Effects of This Rule

    This rule revises 50 CFR 17.11(h) to remove the Kanab ambersnail 
from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Because no 
critical habitat was ever designated for this subspecies, this rule 
does not affect 50 CFR 17.95.
    The prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act no 
longer apply to the snail previously identified as the Kanab 
ambersnail. Interstate commerce, import, and export of the snails 
previously identified as the Kanab ambersnail are not prohibited under 
the Act. In addition, Federal agencies are no longer required to 
consult under section 7 of the Act on actions that may affect the 
snails previously identified as Kanab ambersnail or their habitat.

Required Determinations

National Environmental Policy Act

    We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental 
impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), need not be 
prepared in connection with regulations pursuant to section 4(a) of the 
Act. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this determination 
in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994 
(Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments), and the Department of the 
Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our 
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal 
Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In accordance with 
Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Rights, 
Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act), 
we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly with 
Tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge 
that tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as Federal 
public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to make 
information available to Tribes.
    The populations that were listed as Kanab ambersnail do not occur 
on

[[Page 33142]]

Tribal land. We have determined that while no Tribes will be directly 
affected by this action, the delisting may result in changes to the 
flow regime for the Colorado River in and adjacent to the Grand Canyon. 
Several Tribes have an historic affiliation with the Grand Canyon and 
could be affected by flow changes, should they occur. The potentially 
impacted Tribes are the Chemehuevi, the Colorado River Indian Tribes, 
the Hualapai, the Hopi, the Kaibab Band of Paiute, the San Carlos 
Apache, the San Juan Southern Paiute, the Navajo, and the Zuni. These 
Tribes were notified in advance of the publication of the proposed rule 
and have been informed of the finalization of the delisting.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited in this rule is available 
on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R6-
ES-2019-0055 or upon request from the Utah Ecological Services Field 
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Authors

    The primary authors of this rule are staff members of the Service's 
Utah Ecological Services Field Office.

Signing Authority

    The Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Martha 
Williams, Principal Deputy Director Exercising the Delegated Authority 
of the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approved this document 
on June 14, 2021, for publication.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

Regulation Promulgation

    Accordingly, we hereby amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, 
title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 17--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 1531-1544; and 4201-4245, unless 
otherwise noted.


Sec.  17.11   [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  17.11(h) by removing the entry for ``Ambersnail, Kanab'' 
under SNAILS from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

Anissa Craghead,
Acting Regulations and Policy Chief, Division of Policy, Economics, 
Risk Management, and Analytics, Joint Administrative Operations, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-13257 Filed 6-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P