[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14227-14232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05331]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[FF09E21000 FXES1111090FEDR 223]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Three Species Not 
Warranted for Listing as Endangered or Threatened Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notification of findings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 
findings that three species are not warranted for listing as endangered 
or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act). After a thorough review of the best available scientific 
and commercial information, we find that it is not warranted at this 
time to list Blanco blind salamander (Eurycea robusta), Georgia bully 
(Sideroxylon thornei), and Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi). 
However, we ask the public to submit to us at any time any new 
information relevant to the status of any of the species mentioned 
above or their habitats.

DATES: The findings in this document were made on March 14, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Detailed descriptions of the bases for these findings are 
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov under the 
following docket numbers:

[[Page 14228]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Species                             Docket No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blanco blind salamander..........  FWS-R2-ES-2021-0128
Georgia bully....................  FWS-R4-ES-2021-0129
Rio Grande cooter................  FWS-R2-ES-2021-0132
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Those descriptions are also available by contacting the appropriate 
person as specified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please 
submit any new information, materials, comments, or questions 
concerning this finding to the appropriate person, as specified under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Species                        Contact information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blanco blind salamander and Rio Grande   Adam Zerrenner, Field
 cooter.                                  Supervisor, Austin Ecological
                                          Services Field Office,
                                          <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#076663666a587d62757562696962754761707429606871"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99f8fdf8f4c6e3fcebebfcf7f7fcebd9ffeeeab7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a>, 512-
                                          490-0057 x248.
Georgia bully..........................  Peter Maholland, Deputy Field
                                          Supervisor, Georgia Ecological
                                          Services Field Office,
                                          <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a1d1c4d5c4d3feccc0c9cecdcdc0cfc5e1c7d6d28fc6ced7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c2b2a7b6a7b09dafa3aaadaeaea3aca682a4b5b1eca5adb4">[email protected]</span></a>, 706-
                                          208-7512.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of 
hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or 
TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals 
outside the United States should use the relay services offered within 
their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in 
the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we 
are required to make a finding whether or not a petitioned action is 
warranted within 12 months after receiving any petition for which we 
have determined contains substantial scientific or commercial 
information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted 
(``12-month finding''). We must make a finding that the petitioned 
action is: (1) Not warranted; (2) warranted; or (3) warranted, but 
precluded by other listing activity. We must publish a notification of 
these 12-month findings in the Federal Register.

Summary of Information Pertaining to the Five Factors

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and the implementing 
regulations at part 424 of title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(50 CFR part 424) set forth procedures for adding species to, removing 
species from, or reclassifying species on the Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists). The Act defines ``species'' as 
including any subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, and any 
distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate fish or 
wildlife which interbreeds when mature (16 U.S.C. 1532(16)). The Act 
defines ``endangered species'' as any species that is in danger of 
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range (16 
U.S.C. 1532(6)), and ``threatened species'' as any species that is 
likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future 
throughout all or a significant portion of its range (16 U.S.C. 
1532(20)). Under section 4(a)(1) of the Act, a species may be 
determined to be an endangered species or a threatened species because 
of any of the following five 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.

    These factors represent broad categories of natural or human-caused 
actions or conditions that could have an effect on a species' continued 
existence. In evaluating these actions and conditions, we look for 
those that may have a negative effect on individuals of the species, as 
well as other actions or conditions that may ameliorate any negative 
effects or may have positive effects.
    We use the term ``threat'' to refer in general to actions or 
conditions that are known to or are reasonably likely to negatively 
affect individuals of a species. The term ``threat'' includes actions 
or conditions that have a direct impact on individuals (direct 
impacts), as well as those that affect individuals through alteration 
of their habitat or required resources (stressors). The term ``threat'' 
may encompass--either together or separately--the source of the action 
or condition or the action or condition itself. However, the mere 
identification of any threat(s) does not necessarily mean that the 
species meets the statutory definition of an ``endangered species'' or 
a ``threatened species.'' In determining whether a species meets either 
definition, we must evaluate all identified threats by considering the 
expected response by the species, and the effects of the threats--in 
light of those actions and conditions that will ameliorate the 
threats--on an individual, population, and species level. We evaluate 
each threat and its expected effects on the species, then analyze the 
cumulative effect of all of the threats on the species as a whole. We 
also consider the cumulative effect of the threats in light of those 
actions and conditions that will have positive effects on the species, 
such as any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation efforts. The 
Secretary determines whether the species meets the Act's definition of 
an ``endangered species'' or a ``threatened species'' only after 
conducting this cumulative analysis and describing the expected effect 
on the species now and in the foreseeable future.
    The Act does not define the term ``foreseeable future,'' which 
appears in the statutory definition of ``threatened species.'' Our 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.11(d) set forth a framework for 
evaluating the foreseeable future on a case-by-case basis. The term 
``foreseeable future'' extends only so far into the future as the 
Service can reasonably determine that both the future threats and the 
species' responses to those threats are likely. In other words, the 
foreseeable future is the period of time in which we can make reliable 
predictions. ``Reliable'' does not mean ``certain''; it means 
sufficient to provide a reasonable degree of confidence in the 
prediction. Thus, a prediction is reliable if it is reasonable to 
depend on it when making decisions.
    It is not always possible or necessary to define foreseeable future 
as a

[[Page 14229]]

particular number of years. Analysis of the foreseeable future uses the 
best scientific and commercial data available and should consider the 
timeframes applicable to the relevant threats and to the species' 
likely responses to those threats in view of its life-history 
characteristics. Data that are typically relevant to assessing the 
species' biological response include species-specific factors such as 
lifespan, reproductive rates or productivity, certain behaviors, and 
other demographic factors.
    In conducting our evaluation of the five factors provided in 
section 4(a)(1) of the Act to determine whether Georgia bully and Rio 
Grande cooter meet the Act's definition of ``endangered species'' or 
``threatened species,'' we considered and thoroughly evaluated the best 
scientific and commercial information available regarding the past, 
present, and future stressors and threats. In conducting our evaluation 
of the Blanco blind salamander, we determined that it either: (1) Does 
not meet the definition of a ``species'' under the Act, and, as a 
result, we conclude that it is not a listable entity; or (2) is 
extinct. We reviewed the petitions, information available in our files, 
and other available published and unpublished information for all of 
these species. Our evaluation may include information from recognized 
experts; Federal, State, and Tribal governments; academic institutions; 
foreign governments; private entities; and other members of the public.
    The species assessment forms for these species contain more 
detailed biological information, a thorough analysis of the listing 
factors, a list of literature cited, and an explanation of why we 
determined that these species do not meet the Act's definition of an 
``endangered species'' or a ``threatened species.'' A thorough review 
of the taxonomy, life history, and ecology of the Georgia bully and Rio 
Grande cooter is presented in each species' species status assessment 
(SSA) report. The species assessment form and the review report for the 
Blanco blind salamander contain more detailed taxonomic information, a 
list of literature cited, and an explanation of why we determined that 
the Blanco blind salamander either does not meet the Act's definition 
of a ``species'' or is extinct. This supporting information can be 
found on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov under the 
appropriate docket number (see ADDRESSES, above). The following are 
informational summaries for the findings in this document.

Georgia Bully

Previous Federal Actions
    On April 20, 2010, the Service received a petition from the Center 
for Biological Diversity, Alabama Rivers Alliance, Clinch Coalition, 
Dogwood Alliance, Gulf Restoration Network, Tennessee Forests Council, 
and West Virginia Highlands Conservancy to list 404 aquatic, riparian, 
and wetland species, including Georgia bully (Sideroxylon thornei), as 
endangered or threatened species under the Act. On September 27, 2011, 
we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 59836) a partial 90-day 
finding that the petition presented substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that listing may be warranted for 374 
of the species, including Georgia bully. The finding stated that the 
petition presented substantial information indicating that listing 
Georgia bully may be warranted due to disease or predation. This 
document constitutes the 12-month finding on the April 20, 2010, 
petition to list Georgia bully under the Act.
Summary of Finding
    A member of the Sapotaceae family, Georgia bully is a shrub or 
small tree that grows up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height, and is 
sometimes multi-stemmed but not extensively clonal. Georgia bully is 
known to occur in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The species has been 
found in at least 29 counties and five watersheds (Altamaha, 
Apalachicola, Choctawhatchee-Escambia, Mobile Bay-Tombigbee, and 
Ogeechee) in 3 southeastern States: Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The 
stronghold of the distribution is in the Apalachicola watershed in 
Georgia.
    Georgia bully is restricted to riparian forests and forested 
wetlands (i.e., swamps, bottomland forests, and depressional wetlands), 
where the species occurs most often in habitats developed over 
limestone (i.e., calcareous substrates), particularly in Georgia. 
Georgia bully requires shaded to partly shaded habitat conditions 
within a mostly intact forest overstory. The species requires wet soils 
and periodic inundation from flooding to provide a competitive 
advantage to Georgia bully since many other plant species do not 
tolerate flooding disturbance (e.g., decrease in oxygen, carbon 
dioxide, and light). Georgia bully reproduces sexually through 
pollination and fruit set, and asexually through vegetative means 
(e.g., shoots, fragments, or clones).
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to Georgia bully, and we evaluated all relevant factors under the five 
listing factors, including any regulatory mechanisms and conservation 
measures addressing these stressors. The primary threats affecting 
Georgia bully's biological status include habitat destruction and 
modification (including urbanization and land use change), and impacts 
to hydrology from climate change. We examined a number of other 
factors, including inherent factors (small population size), nonnative 
and invasive species, disease (insect damage), and predation (deer 
herbivory), and found that these factors may exacerbate the effects of 
the primary factors, but do not rise to such a level that affected the 
species as a whole.
    Causes of habitat destruction and modification are urbanization and 
conversion to agricultural and silvicultural uses, including forest 
structure alteration due to timber harvest. Georgia bully is expected 
to be influenced by changes to the hydrologic regime, including periods 
of drought and flooding. Extended periods of drought may allow other 
species that outcompete Georgia bully to become established. Increased 
flooding events may reduce the ability for Georgia bully seedlings to 
become established if habitat is saturated during the germination 
period.
    Despite impacts from the primary stressors, the species has 
maintained the majority of its historical occurrences throughout its 
range. Georgia bully currently has 16 moderately or highly resilient 
populations across its range in 45 populations in 3 States. Each of the 
five watersheds where Georgia bully occurs contains at least two 
moderate or highly resilient populations. Moderate and highly resilient 
Georgia bully populations are able to recover from stochastic events 
and are characterized by larger populations with recruitment and/or 
reproduction in habitats with intact mature overstory, wide riparian 
vegetated buffers, and minimal hydrological alteration. Existing 
protections for the species are in place with approximately 46 percent 
of populations on protected lands, including the two largest 
populations. Threats continue to impact Georgia bully and its habitat, 
and effects from these impacts may result in a decrease in habitat 
quality and quantity across the species' range; however, ongoing 
conservation actions offer some protection to the species.
    Our future scenarios assessment included four elements of change 
(e.g., urbanization, land use, climate-

[[Page 14230]]

influenced hydrology, and site-specific habitat factors) to assess the 
viability of Georgia bully at 30- and 60-year time steps. Upon 
examining the current trends and future forecast scenarios, we expect 
that the primary threats (habitat destruction and modification due to 
urbanization and land use change, and hydrology impacts associated with 
climate change) will continue to impact Georgia bully. Impacts to 
Georgia bully's population resiliency generally increase over time and 
with increased threats, including the threat of climate change effects. 
The species' representation has not declined between historical and 
most recent surveys, and the species' representation is expected to 
decline slightly under each future scenario. As moderate or highly 
resilient populations will persist across all watersheds, a broad level 
of representation is likely to be maintained over time. However, the 
adaptive capacity of the species will be reduced in the future as the 
projected population extirpations reduce the number of viable 
populations on the landscape, thus reducing the species potential 
ability to adjust to changing conditions. Georgia bully has retained 
redundancy based on multiple moderate and highly resilient populations 
being spread across its historical range in five watersheds; however, 
into the future, we expect the species' redundancy to decline as 
population resiliency is reduced, thereby impairing the species' 
ability to withstand and recover from catastrophic events such as 
storms and droughts. Although we predict some continued impacts from 
stressors in the future, we anticipate the species will be represented 
by moderate and highly resilient populations into the foreseeable 
future throughout its range, supported by the occurrence of 21 of the 
45 known populations on protected lands and the species' ability to 
reproduce vegetatively (e.g., shoots, fragments, or clonal) and through 
pollination and fruit set giving populations additional opportunities 
to maintain and expand. Given projections for quality and quantity of 
habitat and the number of healthy (moderate to high resiliency) 
populations, we conclude that the species is likely to maintain the 
ability to withstand stochasticity, catastrophic events, and novel 
changes in its environment for the foreseeable future. Based on these 
conditions, Georgia bully's current risk of extinction is very low. 
Furthermore, we did not find any evidence of a concentration of threats 
at any biologically meaningful scale in any portion of the species' 
range.
    Therefore, we find that listing Georgia bully as an endangered 
species or threatened species under the Act is not warranted. A 
detailed discussion of the basis for this finding can be found in the 
Georgia bully species assessment and other supporting documents (see 
ADDRESSES, above).

Rio Grande Cooter

Previous Federal Actions
    On July 11, 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
received a petition to list 53 amphibians and reptiles, including the 
Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi), as endangered or threatened 
under the Act and to designate critical habitat. On July 1, 2015, we 
published a 90-day finding that the petition presented substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that listing may be 
warranted for 21 species, including the Rio Grande cooter (80 FR 
37568). The finding stated that the petition presented substantial 
information indicating that listing the Rio Grande cooter may be 
warranted due to the present or threatened destruction, modification, 
or curtailment of its habitat or range; overutilization for commercial, 
recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; and regulatory 
mechanisms inadequate to address these threats. This document 
constitutes the 12-month finding on the July 11, 2012, petition to list 
the Rio Grande cooter under the Act.
Summary of Finding
    The Rio Grande cooter is a medium-to-large freshwater turtle (100-
370 millimeters (3.9-14.6 inches)) that lives in the spring pools, 
streams, and rivers found within portions of the Rio Grande/R[iacute]o 
Bravo watershed of the United States and Mexico. The species' range 
includes the Pecos River basin of New Mexico and Texas; the Devils 
River basin of Texas; the Rio Grande basin of Texas (below the Big Bend 
region) and Coahuila, Nuevo Le[oacute]n, and Tamaulipas, Mexico; the 
R[iacute]o Salado basin of Coahuila, Nuevo Le[oacute]n, and Tamaulipas, 
Mexico; and the R[iacute]o San Juan basin of Coahuila, Nuevo 
Le[oacute]n, and Tamaulipas, Mexico. Within these five major river 
basins, Rio Grande cooter habitat includes the freshwater systems and 
the riparian habitat adjacent to them. The current distribution of the 
species is similar to its historical distribution.
    As a mostly aquatic species, adequate water quality and water 
quantity are central to the Rio Grande cooter's ability to forage, 
survive, and reproduce. Water must be of adequate depth to provide 
protection from predation and within temperature ranges that allow for 
thermoregulation. Further, contaminants and other harmful constituents 
in water must be absent or below thresholds that would cause acute or 
chronic toxicity to Rio Grande cooter or the resources upon which they 
rely for survival, growth and reproduction. The Rio Grande cooter also 
requires water flows that allow for individual movements for breeding, 
nesting, and retreating from areas of unsuitable habitat. Additionally, 
the Rio Grande cooter requires upland nesting habitat with loose soils 
near water where eggs will be adequately thermoregulated and safe from 
inundation, predation, and other disturbances during incubation.
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to the Rio Grande cooter, and we evaluated all relevant factors under 
the five listing factors, including any regulatory mechanisms and 
conservation measures addressing these stressors. The primary stressors 
affecting the Rio Grande cooter's biological status include 
hydrological alteration, pollution, climate change (increasing demands 
on the surface and ground water resources that provide or support 
habitat for the species due to effects on climate and weather 
associated with rising temperatures), and direct mortality. Rio Grande 
cooter has limited abundance information available across its range, 
with a few exceptions. Therefore, we assessed species viability based 
on presence-only data and the condition of the species' habitat.
    Despite existing within an altered system in the Rio Grande 
watershed and the associated impacts from the primary stressors, the 
Rio Grande cooter currently has multiple resilient population analysis 
units (10 of 16 units characterized as Low or Moderate Risk) 
distributed throughout its known historical range. Because Rio Grande 
cooter has maintained multiple resilient population analysis units 
across a diversity of habitat types and within all five river basins in 
which it historically occurred--except for the Devils River basin, 
which contains a single unit categorized as low risk--the species has 
retained redundancy and representation at the species level. Based on 
these conditions, the current risk of extinction for the Rio Grande 
cooter is low. Although we project some continued impacts from the 
identified stressors into the foreseeable future under two future 
scenarios, our analysis indicates that the Rio Grande cooter will 
maintain multiple, resilient population analysis units distributed 
throughout its

[[Page 14231]]

historical range within each of the five major river basins. Overall, 
the Rio Grande cooter is projected to either maintain current levels of 
resiliency, representation, and redundancy or have a slight decrease in 
resiliency (nine of 16 population analysis units being categorized as 
Low or Moderate Risk) while maintaining current levels of redundancy 
and representation into the foreseeable future. Thus, the best 
available information does not indicate that the magnitude and scope of 
individual stressors would cause the species to be in danger of 
extinction in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, we did not find any 
evidence of a concentration of threats at any biologically meaningful 
scale in any portion of the species' range.
    Therefore, we find that listing the Rio Grande cooter as an 
endangered species or threatened species under the Act is not 
warranted. A detailed discussion of the basis for this finding can be 
found in the Rio Grande cooter's species assessment and other 
supporting documents (see ADDRESSES, above).

Blanco Blind Salamander

Previous Federal Actions
    On June 25, 2007, the Service received a petition from Forest 
Guardians (now WildEarth Guardians) requesting that the Service list 
475 species in the Southwest Region as endangered or threatened under 
the Act with critical habitat. The Blanco blind salamander (Eurycea 
robusta) was included among the list of petitioned species. On December 
16, 2009, we published in the Federal Register (74 FR 66866) a partial 
90-day finding that the petition presented substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that listing may be warranted for 67 
of the species, including the Blanco blind salamander. The finding 
stated that the petition presented substantial information indicating 
that listing the Blanco blind salamander may be warranted due to the 
present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its 
habitat or range resulting from water pollutants and water withdrawal. 
This document constitutes the 12-month finding on the June 25, 2007, 
petition to list the Blanco blind salamander under the Act.
Summary of Finding
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the Blanco blind salamander and 
evaluated the petition's claims that the species warrants listing under 
the Act. We determined the type specimen on which the species' 
description was based either represents a historical occurrence of the 
federally endangered Texas blind salamander (Typhlomolge rathbuni) or 
it represents a unique species that is no longer extant.
    To be considered an endangered or threatened species under the Act, 
a species' taxonomy must be valid. In our evaluation of the species' 
status, we found evidence that the Blanco blind salamander does not 
exist as a current taxonomic entity. Several morphological characters 
of the Blanco blind salamander overlap or are identical to the Texas 
blind salamander; the Blanco blind salamander specimen's size may have 
been influenced by chemical fixation and preservation, and may not 
reflect the original size of the living individual; and hydrogeological 
connectivity would likely facilitate movement between the Blanco River 
site and locations the Texas blind salamander inhabits. Given this, we 
find that the Blanco blind salamander type specimen is likely a Texas 
blind salamander individual. If it is a Texas blind salamander, then 
the Blanco blind salamander is not a valid taxonomic entity and, 
therefore, is not a listable entity under the Act.
    While the best available science does indicate that the specimen 
collected in 1951 is a Texas blind salamander, due to the inability to 
conduct conclusive genetic testing, we considered the status of the 
Blanco blind salamander out of an abundance of caution.
    Based on the best available information, if the Blanco blind 
salamander was in fact a valid entity, we conclude that it is now 
extinct. When evaluating the possibility of extinction, we attempted to 
minimize the possibility of either (1) prematurely determining that the 
species is extinct where individuals exist but remain undetected, or 
(2) assuming the species is extant when extinction has already 
occurred. Our determinations of whether the best available information 
indicates that a species is extinct include an analysis of the 
following criteria: Detectability of the species, adequacy of survey 
efforts, and time since last detection. All three criteria require 
taking into account applicable aspects of a species' life history. 
Other lines of evidence may also support the determination and be 
included in our analysis. In conducting our analysis of whether the 
Blanco blind salamander is extinct, we considered and thoroughly 
evaluated the best scientific and commercial data available. We 
reviewed the information available in our files, and other available 
published and unpublished information. These evaluations include 
information from recognized experts, Federal and State governments, 
academic institutions, and private entities.
    The Edwards Aquifer, in the area of southeastern Hays County, 
Texas, has been and continues to be intensively sampled for its diverse 
and unique groundwater fauna. Beginning in the late 19th century, 
caves, springs, and wells in the area have yielded many new species, 
including the Texas blind salamander and a contingent of endemic 
groundwater invertebrates.
    Like species with similar characteristics, the Blanco blind 
salamander is likely to have a low detectability. However, despite 
being mostly subterranean, stygobitic (i.e., living exclusively in 
groundwater, such as aquifers or caves) Eurycea salamanders are often 
surveyed at springs and caves. Surveys were conducted in 2006 to re-
detect the Blanco blind salamander at the Blanco River site and several 
groundwater wells north of that site in Hays and Travis Counties, 
Texas. Additionally, researchers excavated three surface fissures in 
the dry bed of the Blanco River, but none of the excavations extended 
to subterranean voids, and no salamanders were observed. Groundwater 
wells were surveyed north of the Blanco River 8 to 25 kilometers (5 to 
15 miles) away from the locality of the Blanco specimen and did not 
yield stygobitic Eurycea salamanders, although they did extend into 
subterranean habitats. Recent survey efforts of wells and springs in 
Hays County in 2020 and 2021 have also not resulted in discovery of 
Blanco blind salamanders or other stygobitic Eurycea salamanders to 
date. Conversely, Texas blind salamanders are regularly observed and 
collected during surveys of caves, spring openings, and groundwater 
wells by permitted researchers from several localities in the City of 
San Marcos, Texas.
    Since 1951, no stygobitic Eurycea salamanders have been collected 
from the Blanco River or areas to the north of the river in Hays 
County. Despite its low detectability, given the combination of surveys 
at the original locality and repeated surveys from surface and 
subterranean habitats nearby, we conclude that these efforts were 
adequate to detect the Blanco blind salamander should individuals 
exist. If the Blanco blind salamander was a valid taxon, we have no 
evidence that the species has remained extant for the past 70 years; 
thus, we conclude it is extinct.
    In conclusion, based on the best available information, we have 
determined that the Blanco blind

[[Page 14232]]

salamander is not a valid taxonomic entity and, accordingly, does not 
meet the statutory definition of a listable entity under the Act. 
Additionally, even if our conclusion is incorrect and the Blanco blind 
salamander was a valid taxonomic entity, it has not been collected in 
over 70 years despite survey efforts; thus, we have no evidence it has 
remained extant. Because the Blanco blind salamander either does not 
meet the definition of a listable entity or is extinct, it does not 
warrant listing under the Act. A detailed discussion of the basis for 
this finding can be found in the Blanco blind salamander species 
assessment form and other supporting documents (see ADDRESSES, above).

New Information

    We request that you submit any new information concerning the 
taxonomy of, biology of, ecology of, status of, or stressors to Blanco 
blind salamander, Georgia bully, or Rio Grande cooter to the 
appropriate person, as specified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, 
whenever it becomes available. New information will help us monitor 
these species and make appropriate decisions about their conservation 
and status. We encourage local agencies and stakeholders to continue 
cooperative monitoring and conservation efforts.

References Cited

    A list of the references cited in this petition finding is 
available in the relevant species assessment form, which is available 
on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the appropriate 
docket (see ADDRESSES, above) and upon request from the appropriate 
person (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, above).

Authors

    The primary authors of this document are the staff members of the 
Species Assessment Team, Ecological Services Program.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4 of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Martha Williams,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-05331 Filed 3-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P


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