Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 56 Species in California and Nevada

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of review.

SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the initiation of a 5-year review of 56 species under section 4(c)(2)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The purpose of a 5-year review is to ensure that the classification of a species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is accurate and based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the original listing of each of these 56 species. Based on the results of these 5-year reviews, we will make the requisite findings under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act.

DATES:

We must receive your information no later than May 22, 2006. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES:

See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for instructions on how to submit information and review the information that we receive on these species.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For species-specific information, contact the appropriate individual in Table 3 under “Public Solicitation of New Information.”

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Why Is a 5-Year Review Conducted?

Under the Endangered Species Act (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we maintain a List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years. Then, on the basis of such reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether or not any species should be removed from the List (delisted), or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. Delisting a species must be supported by the best scientific and commercial data available and only considered if such data substantiates that the species is neither endangered nor threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1) The species is considered extinct; (2) the species is considered to be recovered; and/or (3) the original data available when the species was listed, or the interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change in Federal classification would require a separate rulemaking process. The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active review. This notice announces our active review of the 56 species listed in Table 1.

What Information Is Considered in the Review?

A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time of the review. In conducting these reviews, we consider the best scientific and commercial data that has become available since the current listing determination or most recent status review, 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 (see five factors under heading “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 List, and improved analytical methods.

How Do We Determine Whether a Species Is Endangered or Threatened?

Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that we determine whether a species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five following 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.

Our assessment of these factors is required, under section 4(b)(1) of the Act, to be based solely on the best scientific and commercial data available.

What Could Happen as a Result of This Review?

If we find information concerning the 56 species listed in Table 1 indicating that a change in classification may be warranted, we may propose a new rule that could do one of the following: (a) Reclassify the species from threatened to endangered; (b) reclassify the species from endangered to threatened; or (c) remove the species from the List. If we find that a change in classification is not warranted, the species will remain on the List under its current status.

Public Solicitation of New Information

To ensure that these 5-year reviews are complete and based on the best available scientific and commercial information, we solicit new information from the public, concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, environmental entities, industry, and any other interested parties concerning the status of the species.

If you wish to provide information for any species included in these 5-year reviews, submit your comments and materials to the Field Supervisors at the appropriate Fish and Wildlife Office as presented in Table 2. Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Respondents may request that we withhold a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name or address, you must state this request prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will not consider anonymous comments, however. To the extent consistent with applicable law, we will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the offices where the comments are submitted.

For further information on any of the 56 species, contact the person identified for that species in Table 3.

Authority

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