[Federal Register: January 11, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 7)]
[Notices]
[Page 1765-1766]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ja06-46]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of
Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and Little Colorado Spinedace
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of review.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 5-
year review of the Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
grahamensis) and the Little Colorado spinedace (Lepidomeda vittata)
under 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act). The
purpose of reviews conducted under this section of the Act is to ensure
that the classification of species as threatened or endangered on the
List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 17.12) is
accurate. The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time of the review.
DATES: To allow adequate time to conduct this review, information
submitted for our consideration must be received on or before April 11,
2006. However, we will continue to accept information about any listed
species at any time.
ADDRESSES: Information submitted on these species should be sent to the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the following address. Information
received in response to this notice of review will be available for
public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the
same addresses.
Information regarding the Mt. Graham red squirrel and Little
Colorado spinedace should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-
year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological
Services Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ
85021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For the Mt. Graham red squirrel,
contact Thetis Gamberg at the Arizona Ecological Services Tucson Sub-
office, 201 North Bonita, Suite 141, Tucson, AZ 85745, 520-670-6150 x
231, thetis_gamberg@fws.gov. For the Little Colorado spinedace,
contact Shaula Hedwall at the Arizona Ecological Services Flagstaff
Sub-office, 323 North Leroux, Suite 101, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, 928-226-
0614 x 103, shaula_hedwall@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Why Is a 5-Year Review Conducted?
Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires
that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years.
We are then, under section 4(c)(2)(B) and the provisions of subsections
(a) and (b), to determine, on the basis of such a review, whether or
not any species should be removed from the List of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants (delisted), or reclassified from
endangered to threatened (downlisted), or from threatened to endangered
(uplisted). The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific
and commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we
are requesting submission of any new information (best scientific and
commercial data) on the following species since their original listings
as either endangered (Mt. Graham red squirrel) or threatened (Little
Colorado spinedace). If the present classification of either of these
species is not consistent with the best scientific and commercial
information available, the Service will recommend whether or not a
change is warranted in the Federal classification of the species. Any
change in Federal classification would require a separate final rule-
making process.
Our regulations at 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 Mt. Graham red
squirrel and Little Colorado spinedace.
What Information Is Considered in the Review?
A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time
of the review. These reviews will consider 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 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 of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants, and improved analytical methods.
Specific Information Requested for the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel
We specifically request information regarding the species' life
history, habitat requirements, and distribution. We also request
information on threats, including predation, competition, and habitat
loss. We further request information on designated critical habitat.
Specific Information Requested for the Little Colorado Spinedace
We specifically request information regarding the current
distribution of populations and evaluation of the degree of habitat
protection for each population, and information regarding management
plans and techniques for improving and maintaining spinedace habitat.
We also are particularly interested in recent information regarding
conservation measures that have been implemented to benefit the
species.
How Are the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and Little Colorado Spinedace
Currently Listed?
The List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) is
found in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants). Amendments to the
List through final rules are published in the Federal Register. The
List is also available on our Internet site at http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species.
In Table 1 below, we provide
a summary of the listing information for the species under active
review.
[[Page 1766]]
Table 1.--Summary of the Listing Information for the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel and Little Colorado Spinedace
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Common name Scientific name Status Where listed Final listing rule
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Mt. Graham red squirrel......... Tamiasciurus Endangered........ U.S.A. (Arizona, 51 FR 10842 (31-
hudsonicus California). MAR-1986).
grahamensis.
Little Colorado spinedace....... Lepidomeda vittata Threatened........ U.S.A. (Arizona).. 52 FR 35054 (16-
SEPT-1987).
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Definitions Related to This Notice
The following definitions are provided to assist those persons who
contemplate submitting information regarding the species being
reviewed:
A. Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or
plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of
vertebrate, 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 Act establishes 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.
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that our determination be made
on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available.
What Could Happen as a Result of This Review?
If we find that there is new information concerning Mt. Graham red
squirrel or Little Colorado spinedace indicating 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 endangered to
threatened (downlist); (b) reclassify the species from threatened to
endangered (uplist); or (c) remove the species from the List. If we
determine that a change in classification is not warranted, then these
species will remain on the List under their current status.
Public Solicitation of New Information
We request any new information concerning the status of Mt. Graham
red squirrel and Little Colorado spinedace. See ``What information is
considered in the review?'' heading for specific criteria. 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. Our practice is to make comments, including
names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review.
Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home
addresses from the supporting record, which we will honor to the extent
allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we may
withhold from the supporting record a respondent's identity, as
allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address,
you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We
will not consider anonymous comments, however. 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.
Authority
This document is published under the authority of the Endangered
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: November 1, 2005.
Larry G. Bell,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E6-139 Filed 1-10-06; 8:45 am]
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