[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 38976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13239]
[[Page 38976]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of a 5-
Year Review of 5 Listed Species: The Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel
(Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus), Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel (Sciurus
niger cinereus), Northeastern Bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus),
Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail (Succinea chittenangoensis), and Virginia
Round-Leaf Birch (Betula uber)
AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 5-
year review of the endangered Virginia northern flying squirrel
(Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus), Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel (Sciurus
niger cinereus), northeaster bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus), and the
threatened Chittenango ovate amber snail (Novisuccinea
chittenangoensis), and Virginia round-leaf birch (Betula uber) under
section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). A 5-year review is a periodic process conducted
to ensure that the listing classification of a species is accurate. 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 the Virginia northern flying
squirrel, Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel, and northeastern bulrush
that has become available since their original listings as endangered
species in 1985 (50 FR 26999-27002), 1967 (32 FR 4001), and 1991 (56 FR
21091-21096), respectively. In addition, we are requesting submission
of any such information on the Chittenango ovate amber snail that has
become available since its listing as a threatened species in 1978 (43
FR 28932-28935), and on the Virginia round-leaf birch, which was
originally listed as endangered in 1978 (43 FR 17910-17916) and
reclassified as threatened in 1994 (59 FR 59173-59177). Based on the
results of these 5-year reviews, we will make the requisite findings
under section 4(c)(2)(B) of the ESA.
DATES: To allow adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive
your information no later than September 6, 2005. However, we will
continue to accept new information about any listed species at any
time.
ADDRESSES: Submit information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Northeast Regional Office, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley,
Massachusetts 01035, to the attention of Ms. Mary Parkin. Information
received in response to this notice and review will be available for
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours, at the
above address. Information may also be sent to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mary Parkin at the above address
or at 617-876-6173.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the ESA, the Service maintains a list
of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species at 50 CFR 17.11
(for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA
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 Virginia
northern flying squirrel, Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel, and
northeastern bulrush, currently listed as endangered, and the
Chittenango ovate amber snail and Virginia round-leaf birch, currently
listed as threatened.
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 information from the
public, concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific
community, industry, environmental entities, and any other interested
parties concerning the status of the Virginia northern flying squirrel,
Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel, northeastern bulrush, Chittenango
ovate amber snail, and Virginia round-leaf birch.
The 5-year review considers that 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 measure that
have been implemented that benefit the species; (D) threat status and
trends; and (E) other new information, data, or corrections, including,
but not limited, taxonomic or nonmenclatural changes, identification of
erroneous information contained in the list, and improved analytical
methods.
If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may
submit your comments and materials to Ms. Mary Parkin (see ADDRESSES
section). 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, however, consider anonymous comments. To the
extent consistent with applicable laws, 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 (see ADDRESSES section).
Authority: This document is published under the authority of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: June 21, 2005.
Richard O. Bennett,
Acting Regional Director, Region 5, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 05-13239 Filed 7-5-05; 8:45 am]
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