[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 106 (Friday, June 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32124-32125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8565]
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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 the Northern Distinct Population Segment of the
Copperbelly Water Snake
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of review.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), announces a
5-year review of the northern distinct population segment (DPS) (i.e.,
in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana north of 40 degrees north latitude) of
the copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) under
section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). We request any information on the snake that has
become available since its original listing in 1997 (62 FR 4183) that
has a bearing on its classification as threatened.
A 5-year review is a periodic process conducted to ensure that the
classification of a listed species is appropriate. It is based on the
best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the
review. Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will make a
finding of whether this species is properly classified under section
4(c)(2)(B) of the Act.
DATES: Information must be received no later than August 1, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Ecological Services Field Supervisor, 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101,
East Lansing, Michigan 48823-6316, or electronic information to:
[email protected]. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
for file formats and other information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carrie Tansy, East Lansing
Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone (517) 351-
6289; facsimile (517) 351-1443. Individuals who are hearing impaired or
speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8337
for TTY assistance.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Act, the Service maintains a list
of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species (List) at 50
CFR 17.11 and 17.12. Amendments to the List through final rules are
published in the Federal Register. The Lists of wildlife and plants are
available on our Internet site at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/wildlife/html#species. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires that we
conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years.
Section 4(c)(2)(B) requires that we determine (1) whether a species no
longer meets the definition of threatened or endangered and should be
removed from the List (delisted); (2) whether a species more properly
meets the definition of threatened and should be reclassified from
endangered to threatened; or (3) whether a species more properly meets
the definition of endangered and should be reclassified from threatened
to endangered. Using the best scientific and commercial data available,
a species will be considered for delisting if the data substantiate
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 requires 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 announces our active review
of the northern DPS of the copperbelly water snake.
Public Solicitation of New Information
To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best
scientific and commercial data available, 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 northern DPS of
the copperbelly water snake. A 5-year review considers the best
scientific and commercial data and all new information that has become
available since the listing determination or most recent status review.
Requested information includes (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; and (E) other new information, data, or corrections, including
but not limited to taxonomic or nomenclature changes, identification of
erroneous information contained in the List, and improved analytical
methods.
The copperbelly water snake was listed as a distinct population
segment of a vertebrate taxon. The listed DPS occurs in Michigan, Ohio,
and Indiana north of 40 degrees north latitude (approximately
Indianapolis, Indiana). A distinct vertebrate population segment is
defined in the February 7, 1996, Policy Regarding the Recognition of
Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments (61 FR 4722). For a population
to be listed under the Act as a DPS, three elements are considered: (1)
The discreteness of the population segment in relation to the remainder
of the species to which it belongs; (2) the significance of the
population segment to the species to which it belongs; and (3) the
population segment's conservation status in relation to the Act's
standards for listing (i.e., is the population segment endangered or
threatened?). Distinct population segments of vertebrate species, as
well as subspecies of all listed species, may be proposed for separate
reclassification or for removal from the List. As required by the DPS
policy, we will assess the validity of the current DPS designation
during the 5-year review. The southern population (i.e., in Illinois,
Kentucky, and Indiana south of 40 degrees north latitude) is not listed
as a threatened species at this time and is not part of this 5-year
review.
Electronic Access and Filing
You must submit electronic information (see ADDRESSES) in MS Word,
Rich Text format, or Plain Text format, and include ``Copperbelly Water
Snake 5-Year Review Comments'' in the title line.
You may submit your comments and materials to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES)
no later than the close of the comment period (see DATES) to allow us
adequate time to conduct this 5-year review. If you do not respond to
this request for information but subsequently possess information on
the status of this species, we are eager to receive new information
regarding federally listed species at any time.
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
[[Page 32125]]
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 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. Information received in response to this notice and review
will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal
business hours (see ADDRESSES).
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: May 19, 2006.
Wendi Weber,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Region 3.
[FR Doc. E6-8565 Filed 6-1-06; 8:45 am]
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