[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39327-39329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13328]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-
Year Reviews of the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle, Smith's Blue 
Butterfly, Delhi Sands Flower-Loving Fly, Morro Shoulderband Snail, 
Giant Garter Snake, San Francisco Garter Snake, Island Night Lizard, 
California Least Tern, Least Bell's Vireo, Chinese Camp Brodiaea, 
Mariposa Pussypaws, San Clemente Island Indian Paintbrush, Spring-
Loving Centaury, Springville Clarkia, San Clemente Island Larkspur, 
Santa Barbara Island Dudleya, Ash Meadows Gumplant, San Clemente Island 
Woodland Star, San Clemente Island Lotus, San Clemente Island Bush 
Mallow, Amargosa Niterwort, Eureka Valley Evening Primrose, Yreka 
Phlox, Hartweg's Golden Sunburst, San Joaquin Adobe Sunburst, Santa 
Cruz Island Rock-Cress, Keck's Checker-mallow, Eureka Dune Grass, 
Kneeland Prairie Pennycress, Hidden Lake Bluecurls, and Red Hills 
Vervain

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of review.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
initiation of 5-year reviews of 31 listed species in Table 1 below, 
under section 4(c)(2)(A) 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 31 species. Based 
on the results of these 5-year reviews, we will make the requisite 
findings under section 4(c)(2)(B) of the Act.

                                        Table 1.--Summary of the Listing Information for the Following 31 Species
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            Common name                 Scientific name               Status                      Where listed                  Final listing rule
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Valley elderberry longhorn beetle..  Desmocerus             Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  45 FR 52803 (8-AUG-80)
                                      californicus
                                      dimorphus.
Smith's blue butterfly.............  Euphilotes enoptes     Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  41 FR 22041 (1-JUN-76)
                                      smithi.
Delhi Sands flower loving fly......  Rhaphiomidas           Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  58 FR 49881 (23-SEP-93)
                                      terminatus
                                      abdominalis.
Morro shoulderband snail...........  Helminthoglypta        Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  59 FR 64613 (15-DEC-94)
                                      walkeriana.
Giant garter snake.................  Thamnophis gigas.....  Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  58 FR 54053 (20-OCT-93)
San Francisco garter snake.........  Thamnophis sirtalis    Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  32 FR 4001 (11-MAR-67)
                                      tetrataenia.
Island night lizard................  Xantusia riversiana    Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  42 FR 40682 (11-AUG-77)
                                      tetrataenia.
California least tern..............  Sterna antillarum      Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA) Mexico..............  35 FR 8491 (2-JUN-70)
                                      browni.
Least Bell's vireo.................  Vireo bellii pusillus  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA) Mexico..............  1 FR 16474 (2-MAY-86)
Chinese Camp brodiaea..............  Brodiaea pallida.....  Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  63 FR 49022 (14-SEP-98)
Mariposa pussypaws.................  Calyptridium           Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  63 FR 49022 (14-SEP-98)
                                      pulchellum.
San Clemente Island Indian           Castilleja grisea....  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  42 FR 40682 (11-AUG-77)
 Paintbrush.
Spring-loving centaury.............  Centaurium namophilum  Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA, NV).................  50 20777 (20-MAY-85)
Springville clarkia................  Clarkia                Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  63 FR 49022 (14-SEP-98)
                                      springvillensis.
San Clemente Island larkspur.......  Delphinium variegatum  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  42 FR 40682 (11-AUG-77)
                                      var. kinkiense.
Santa Barbara Island dudleya.......  Dudleya traskiae.....  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  43 FR 17910 (26-APR-78)
Ash meadows gumplant...............  Grindelia fraxino-     Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA, NV).................  50 FR 20777 (20-MAY-85)
                                      pratensis.
San Clemente Island woodland star..  Lithophragma maximum.  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  62 FR 42692 (8-AUG-97)

[[Page 39328]]

 
San Clemente Island lotus..........  Lotus dendroideus      Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  42 FR 40682 (11-AUG-77)
                                      var. traskiae.
San Clemente Island bush mallow....  Malacothamnus          Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  42 FR 40682 (11-AUG-77)
                                      clementinus.
Amargosa niterwort.................  Nitrophila mohavensis  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA, NV).................  50 FR 20777 (20-MAY-85)
Eureka Valley evening primrose.....  Oenothera californica  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  43 FR 17910 (26-APR-78)
                                      ssp. eurekensis.
Yreka phlox........................  Phlox hirsuta........  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  65 FR 5268 (3-FEB-00)
Hartweg's golden sunburst..........  Pseudobahia            Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  62 FR 5542 (6-FEB-97)
                                      bahiifolia.
San Joaquin adobe sunburst.........  Pseudobahia peirsonii  Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  62 FR 5542 (6-FEB-97)
Santa Cruz Island rock-cress.......  Sibara filifolia.....  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  62 FR 42692 (8-AUG-97)
Keck's checker-mallow..............  Sidalcea keckii......  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  65 FR (16-FEB-00)
Eureka Dune grass..................  Swallenia alexandrae.  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  43 FR 17910 (26-APR-78)
Kneeland Prairie pennycress........  Thlaspi californicum.  Endangered................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  65 FR 6332 (9-SEP-00)
Hidden Lake bluecurls..............  Trichostema            Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  63 FR 49006 (14-SEP-98)
                                      austromontanum ssp.
                                      compactum.
Red Hills vervain..................  Verbena californica..  Threatened................  U.S.A. (CA).....................  63 FR 49022 (14-SEP-98)
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DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct these reviews, 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: Information may be submitted to the following U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service's Fish and Wildlife Offices:
    For the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly, island night lizard, 
California least tern, least Bell's vireo, San Clemente Island Indian 
paintbrush, San Clemente Island larkspur, San Clemente Island woodland 
star, San Clemente Island lotus, San Clemente Island bush mallow, Santa 
Cruz Island rock-cress, and Hidden Lake bluecurls, submit comments to 
the Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, 
Carlsbad, California 92009. Information may also be submitted 
electronically at [email protected].
    For the Smith's blue butterfly, Morro shoulderband snail, Santa 
Barbara Island dudleya, Eureka Valley evening primrose, and Eureka Dune 
grass, submit comments to the Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year 
Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Fish and Wildlife 
Office, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, California 93003. 
Information may also be submitted electronically at 
[email protected].
    For the Valley elderberry longhorn beetle, giant garter snake, San 
Francisco garter snake, Chinese Camp brodiaea, Mariposa pussypaws, 
Springville clarkia, Hartweg's golden sunburst, San Joaquin adobe 
sunburst, Keck's checker-mallow, and Red Hills vervain, submit comments 
to the Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage 
Way, Room W-2605, Sacramento, California 95825. Information may also be 
submitted electronically at [email protected].
    For Ash Meadows gumplant, spring-loving centaury, and Amargosa 
niterwort, submit comments to the Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year 
Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife 
Office, 1340 Financial Blvd., Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502. Information 
may also be submitted electronically at [email protected].
    For Kneeland Prairie pennycress, submit comments to the Field 
Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, 11655 Heindon Road, Arcata, California 
95521. Information may also be submitted electronically at [email protected].
    For Yreka phlox, submit comments to the Field Supervisor, 
Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Yreka Fish 
and Wildlife Office, 1829 S. Oregon Street, Yreka, California 96097. 
Information may also be submitted electronically at 
[email protected].
    Information received in response to this notice and these reviews 
will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal 
business hours, at the appropriate above addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly, 
island night lizard, California least tern, least Bell's vireo, San 
Clemente Island Indian paintbrush, San Clemente Island larkspur, San 
Clemente Island woodland star, San Clemente Island lotus, San Clemente 
Island bush mallow, Santa Cruz Island rock-cress, or Hidden Lake 
bluecurls, contact Tannika Engelhard at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife 
Office at (760) 431-9440. For the Smith's blue butterfly, Morro 
shoulderband snail, Santa Barbara Island dudleya, Eureka Valley evening 
primrose, or Eureka Dune grass, contact Mike McCrary at the Ventura 
Fish and Wildlife Office at (805) 644-1766. For the Valley elderberry 
longhorn beetle, giant garter snake, San Francisco garter snake, 
Chinese Camp brodiaea, Mariposa pussypaws, Springville clarkia, 
Hartweg's golden sunburst, San Joaquin adobe sunburst, Keck's checker-
mallow, and Red Hills vervain, contact Harry McQuillen at the 
Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office at (916) 414-6742. For Ash Meadows 
gumplant, spring-loving centaury, Amargosa niterwort, contact Steve 
Caicco at the Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office at (775) 861-6300. For 
Kneeland Prairie pennycress, contact Dave Imper at the Arcata Fish

[[Page 39329]]

and Wildlife Office at (707) 822-7201. For Yreka phlox, contact Nadine 
Kanim at the Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office at (530) 842-5763.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 31 species listed in 
Table 1 above.

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 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 that there is information concerning the 31 species 
listed in Table 1 above 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 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 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 31 species 
listed in Table 1 above.
    If you wish to provide information for any species included in 
these 5-year reviews, you may submit your comments and materials to the 
Field Supervisors at the appropriate Fish and Wildlife Office in the 
ADDRESSES section above. 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 (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 16, 2005.
Paul Henson,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 05-13328 Filed 7-6-05; 8:45 am]
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