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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 21, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7038-7043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01118]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[FXES1111090FEDR-256-FF09E21000]

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings 
for Eight Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notification of petition findings and initiation of status 
reviews.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90-
day findings on seven petitions to add species to, and one petition to 
remove a species from, the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife 
and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). 
Based on our review, we find that the petitions to list the Amargosa 
toad (Anaxyrus nelsoni), Carson Valley monkeyflower (Erythranthe 
carsonensis), large marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides) (including the 
large marble butterfly type subspecies (Euchloe ausonides ausonides)), 
Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis), Morrison bumble 
bee (Bombus morrisoni), Oasis Valley population of Amargosa speckled 
dace (Rhinichthys nevadensis nevadensis; hereafter referred to as 
``Oasis Valley speckled dace''), Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish 
(Barbicambarus simmonsi), and one petition to delist the golden-cheeked 
warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) present substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be 
warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this document, we 
announce that we are initiating status reviews of these species to 
determine whether the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that 
the status reviews are comprehensive, we request scientific and 
commercial data and other information regarding the species and factors 
that may affect their status. Based on the status reviews, we will 
issue 12-month petition findings, which will address whether or not the 
petitioned actions are warranted, in accordance with the Act.

DATES: WThese findings were made on January 21, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Supporting documents: Summaries of the basis for the 
petition findings contained in this document are available on https://www.regulations.gov under the appropriate docket number (see table 1 
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). In addition, this supporting 
information is available by contacting the appropriate person, as 
specified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Status reviews: If you have new scientific or commercial data or 
other information concerning the status of, or threats to, the Amargosa 
toad, Carson Valley monkeyflower, golden-cheeked warbler, large marble 
butterfly (including the large marble butterfly type subspecies), 
Mohave ground squirrel, Morrison bumble bee, Oasis Valley speckled 
dace, and Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish, or their habitats, please 
provide those data or information by one of the following methods 
listed below.
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter the appropriate docket 
number (see table 1 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Then, click on 
the ``Search'' button. After finding the correct document, you may 
submit information by clicking on ``Comment.'' If your information will 
fit in the provided comment box, please use this feature of https://www.regulations.gov, as it is most compatible with our information 
review procedures. If you attach your information as a separate 
document, our preferred file format is Microsoft Word. If you attach 
multiple comments (such as form letters), our preferred format is a 
spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments 
Processing, Attn: [Insert appropriate docket number; see table 1 under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION], U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
    We request that you send information only by the methods described 
above. We will post all information we receive on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any 
personal information you provide us (see Information Submitted for a 
Status Review, below).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Species common name                    Contact person
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amargosa toad and Oasis Valley      Glen Knowles, Field Supervisor,
 speckled dace.                      Southern Nevada Fish and Wildlife
                                     Office, 702-515-5244,
                                     [email protected].
Carson Valley monkeyflower........  Kristin Jule, Field Supervisor, Reno
                                     Fish and Wildlife Office, 775-861-
                                     6337, [email protected].
Golden-cheeked warbler............  Michael Warriner, Supervisory Fish
                                     and Wildlife Biologist, Austin
                                     Ecological Services Field Office,
                                     512-937-7371,
                                     [email protected].
Large marble butterfly (including   Michael Fris, Field Supervisor,
 the large marble type subspecies).  Sacramento Fish and Wildlife
                                     Office, 916-425-0099,
                                     [email protected].
Mohave ground squirrel............  Scott Sobiech, Field Supervisor,
                                     Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office,
                                     760-431-9440,
                                     [email protected].
Morrison bumble bee...............  Shawn Sartorius, Field Supervisor,
                                     New Mexico Ecological Services
                                     Field Office, 505-761-4781,
                                     [email protected].
Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish....  Bill Pearson, Field Supervisor,
                                     Alabama Ecological Services Field
                                     Office, 251-441-5870,
                                     [email protected].
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

[[Page 7039]]

Information Submitted for a Status Review

    You may submit your comments and materials concerning the status 
of, or threats to, the Amargosa toad, Carson Valley monkeyflower, 
golden-cheeked warbler, large marble butterfly (including the large 
marble butterfly type subspecies), Mohave ground squirrel, Morrison 
bumble bee, Oasis Valley speckled dace, and Tennessee bottlebrush 
crayfish, or their habitats, by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. 
We request that you send comments only by the methods described in 
ADDRESSES. Please include sufficient information with your submission 
(such as scientific journal articles or other publications) to allow us 
to verify any scientific or commercial information you include.
    If you submit information via https://www.regulations.gov, your 
entire submission--including any personal identifying information--will 
be posted on the website. If your submission is made via a hardcopy 
that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the 
top of your document that we withhold this information from public 
review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We 
will post all hardcopy submissions on https://www.regulations.gov.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing these findings, will be available 
for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov.

Background

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing 
regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR part 
424) set forth the procedures for adding species to, removing species 
from, or reclassifying species on the Federal Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists or List) in 50 CFR part 17. 
Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires that we make a finding on 
whether a petition to add a species to the List (i.e., ``list'' a 
species), remove a species from the List (i.e., ``delist'' a species), 
or change a listed species' status from endangered to threatened or 
from threatened to endangered (i.e., ``reclassify'' a species) presents 
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the 
petitioned action may be warranted. To the maximum extent practicable, 
we are to make this finding within 90 days of our receipt of the 
petition and publish the finding promptly in the Federal Register.
    In 2016, the Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service of 
the Department of Commerce revised the regulations that outline the 
procedures for evaluating petitions (81 FR 66462; September 27, 2016). 
These regulations at 50 CFR 424.14 were effective October 27, 2016. 
These current regulations establish that substantial scientific or 
commercial information with regard to a 90-day petition finding refers 
to credible scientific or commercial information in support of the 
petition's claims such that a reasonable person conducting an impartial 
scientific review would conclude that the action proposed in the 
petition may be warranted (50 CFR 424.14(h)(1)(i)). A positive 90-day 
petition finding does not indicate that the petitioned action is 
warranted; the finding indicates only that the petitioned action may be 
warranted and that a full review should occur. When evaluating the 
seven petitions (received after September 27, 2016) to add species to 
the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, we applied 
the current regulations at 50 CFR 424.14.
    We received the petition to delist the golden-cheeked warbler prior 
to the effective date of the current regulations. Therefore, we 
evaluated the golden-cheeked warbler petition under the 50 CFR 424.14 
requirements that were in effect prior to October 27, 2016, as those 
requirements applied when the petition was received. The regulations in 
effect prior to October 27, 2016, establish that the standard for 
substantial scientific or commercial information with regard to a 90-
day petition finding is ``that amount of information that would lead a 
reasonable person to believe that the measure proposed in the petition 
may be warranted'' (former 50 CFR 424.14(b)).
    A species may be determined to be an endangered species or a 
threatened species because of one or more of the five factors described 
in section 4(a)(1) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1)). The five factors 
are:
    (a) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of its habitat or range (Factor A);
    (b) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes (Factor B);
    (c) Disease or predation (Factor C);
    (d) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms (Factor D); 
and
    (e) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued 
existence (Factor E).

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, affect 
individuals of a species negatively. 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) may not be sufficient to compel a 
finding that the information in the petition is substantial information 
indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. The information 
presented in the petition must include evidence sufficient to suggest 
that these threats may be affecting the species to the point that the 
species may meet the definition of an endangered species or threatened 
species under the Act.
    If we find that a petition presents such information, our 
subsequent status review will evaluate all identified threats by 
considering the individual-, population-, and species-level effects and 
the expected response by the species. We will evaluate individual 
threats and their expected effects on the species, then analyze the 
cumulative effect 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 are expected to have positive effects on the 
species--such as any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation 
efforts that may ameliorate threats. It is only after conducting this 
cumulative analysis of threats and the actions that may ameliorate 
them, and the expected effect on the species now and in the foreseeable 
future, that we can determine whether the species meets the definition 
of an endangered species or threatened species under the Act.
    If we find that a petition presents substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be 
warranted, the Act requires that we promptly commence a review of the 
status of the species, and we will subsequently complete a status 
review in accordance with our prioritization methodology for

[[Page 7040]]

12-month findings (81 FR 49248; July 27, 2016).
    We note that designating critical habitat is not a petitionable 
action under the Act. Petitions to designate critical habitat (for 
species without existing critical habitat) are reviewed under the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.) and are not 
addressed in these findings (see 50 CFR 424.14(j)). To the maximum 
extent prudent and determinable, any proposed critical habitat will be 
addressed concurrently with a proposed rule to list a species, if 
applicable.

Summaries of Petition Findings

    The petition findings contained in this document are listed in the 
tables below, and the basis for each finding, along with supporting 
information, is available on https://www.regulations.gov under the 
appropriate docket number.

                         Table 1--Status Reviews
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      URL to docket on
          Common name               Docket No.            https://
                                                    www.regulations.gov
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amargosa toad.................  FWS-R8-ES-2024-01  https://
                                 76.                www.regulations.gov/
                                                    docket/FWS-R8-ES-
                                                    2024-0176.
Carson Valley monkeyflower....  FWS-R8-ES-2024-01  https://
                                 00.                www.regulations.gov/
                                                    docket/FWS-R8-ES-
                                                    2024-0100.
Golden-cheeked warbler........  FWS-R2-ES-2024-01  https://
                                 79.                www.regulations.gov/
                                                    docket/FWS-R2-ES-
                                                    2024-0179.
Large marble butterfly          FWS-R8-ES-2024-00  https://
 (including the large marble     97.                www.regulations.gov/
 type subspecies).                                  docket/FWS-R8-ES-
                                                    2024-0097.
Mohave ground squirrel........  FWS-R8-ES-2024-00  https://
                                 98.                www.regulations.gov/
                                                    docket/FWS-R8-ES-
                                                    2024-0098.
Morrison bumble bee...........  FWS-R2-ES-2024-00  https://
                                 99.                www.regulations.gov/
                                                    docket/FWS-R2-ES-
                                                    2024-0099.
Oasis Valley speckled dace....  FWS-R8-ES-2024-01  https://
                                 77.                www.regulations.gov/
                                                    docket/FWS-R8-ES-
                                                    2024-0177.
Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish  FWS-R4-ES-2024-01  https://
                                 01.                www.regulations.gov/
                                                    docket/FWS-R4-ES-
                                                    2024-0101.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evaluation of a Petition To List Amargosa Toad

Species and Range
    Amargosa toad (Anaxyrus nelsoni); Nye County, Nevada.
Petition History
    On May 29, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for 
Biological Diversity (CBD), requesting that the Amargosa toad (Anaxyrus 
nelsoni) be listed as a threatened species or an endangered species and 
critical habitat be designated for this species under the Act. The 
petitioner also asked that we consider using the emergency provisions 
of the Act to list the species. The petition clearly identified itself 
as such and included the requisite identification information for the 
petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). Listing a species on an 
emergency basis is not a petitionable action under the Act, and the 
question of when to list on an emergency basis is left to the 
discretion of the Service. If the Service determines that the standard 
for emergency listing in section 4(b)(7) of the Act is met, the Service 
may exercise that discretion to take an emergency listing action at any 
time. At this time, the Service has not determined that the standard 
for emergency listing has been met. Therefore, we are considering the 
May 29, 2024, petition as a petition to list the Amargosa toad. This 
finding addresses the petition.
Finding
    We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other 
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50 
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the 
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within 
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or 
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation 
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available 
information regarding gold mining (Factor A), we find that the petition 
presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating 
that listing the Amargosa toad as an endangered species or a threatened 
species may be warranted.
    The petitioners also presented information suggesting solar energy 
development, wild burros, livestock grazing, off-road vehicles, road 
maintenance and runoff, invasive plants, water abstraction and 
diversion, chytridiomycosis, predation by bullfrogs and nonnative 
crayfish, hybridization with Woodhouse's toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii), 
climate change, and stochastic events may be threats to the Amargosa 
toad. We will fully evaluate these potential threats during our 12-
month status review, pursuant to the Act's requirement to review the 
best scientific and commercial information available when making that 
finding.
    The basis for our finding on this petition and other information 
regarding our review of the petition can be found as an appendix at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2024-0176 under 
the Supporting Documents section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Carson Valley Monkeyflower

Species and Range
    Carson Valley monkeyflower (Erythranthe carsonensis); Carson City, 
Douglas, Lyon, and Washoe Counties, Nevada; Alpine County, California.
Petition History
    On January 8, 2024, we received a petition from CBD requesting that 
the Carson Valley monkeyflower (Erythranthe carsonensis) be listed as a 
threatened species and critical habitat be designated for this species 
under the Act. The petition clearly identified itself as such and 
included the requisite identification information for the petitioner, 
required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This finding addresses the petition.
Finding
    We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other 
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50 
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the 
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within 
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or 
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation 
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available 
information regarding habitat loss associated with commercial, 
residential, and industrial development (Factor A), we find that the 
petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information 
indicating that listing the Carson Valley monkeyflower

[[Page 7041]]

as an endangered species or a threatened species may be warranted.
    The petitioners also presented information suggesting road 
development and maintenance, off-highway vehicle use, other 
recreational use, mineral exploration and development, trash dumping, 
utility corridor development and maintenance, animal grazing and 
trampling, fire and fire suppression activities, flooding, and 
stormwater management may be threats to the Carson Valley monkeyflower. 
We will fully evaluate these potential threats during our 12-month 
status review, pursuant to the Act's requirement to review the best 
scientific and commercial information available when making that 
finding.
    The basis for our finding on this petition and other information 
regarding our review of the petition can be found as an appendix at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2024-0100 under 
the Supporting Documents section.

Evaluation of a Petition To Delist the Golden-Cheeked Warbler

Species and Range
    Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia); Texas, United 
States; Chiapas, Mexico; and Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, 
Nicaragua, and El Salvador).
Petition History
    On June 30, 2015, we received a petition dated June 29, 2015, from 
Nancie G. Marzulla (Marzulla Law, LLC--Washington, DC) and Robert 
Henneke (Texas Public Policy Foundation--Austin, TX) requesting that 
the golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) be delisted under 
the Act due to recovery or error in information. The petition clearly 
identified itself as a petition and included the requisite 
identification information for the petitioner, as required by the 
former 50 CFR 424.14(a). No information is presented that would suggest 
that the species was originally listed due to an error in information. 
The golden-cheeked warbler is a taxonomically unique species and was 
shown to be in danger of extinction at the time of the listing.
    On December 11, 2015, we received supplemental information from the 
petitioners that included additional published studies and an 
unpublished report. The studies and report, as well as other studies 
known to the Service and in our files at the time the supplement was 
received, were considered, as appropriate. On June 3, 2016, we 
published in the Federal Register (81 FR 35698) our finding that the 
petition did not provide substantial scientific or commercial 
information indicating that the petition action (i.e., delisting) may 
be warranted. The General Land Office of Texas (GLO) challenged this 
negative 90-day finding on the petition to delist. The District Court 
found in favor of the Service. The GLO appealed the decision, and the 
Circuit Court vacated the 90-day finding and remanded it to the 
Service. On July 27, 2021, the Service published another 90-day finding 
in the Federal Register (86 FR 40186) that the petition did not present 
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the 
petitioned action was warranted. The GLO filed suit against the Service 
on January 12, 2022, challenging the new 90-day finding. On September 
5, 2024, the District Court vacated and remanded the July 27, 2021, 90-
day finding to the Service. This finding addresses the petition as 
remanded by the District Court.
Finding
    We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, 
supplemental information provided, and other readily available 
information (within the constraints of the Act and former 50 CFR 
424.14(b)). We considered the information that the petition provided 
regarding effects of the threats that fall within factors under section 
4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or exacerbated by any existing 
regulatory mechanisms or conservation efforts. The petitioner provided 
substantial information indicating that greater amounts of golden-
cheeked warbler habitat occur across the species range, the species is 
capable of utilizing smaller habitat patches, and warblers are more 
abundant than previously thought (Factor A). Additionally, oak wilt may 
not be as significant of a stressor to warbler habitat (Factor E). 
Based on our review of the petition, sources cited in the petition, and 
other readily available information, we find that the petition presents 
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that 
delisting the golden-cheeked warbler may be warranted. We will fully 
evaluate these potential threats during our 12-month status review, 
pursuant to the Act's requirements to review the best scientific and 
commercial data available when making that finding.
    The basis for our finding on this petition and other information 
regarding our review of the petition can be found as an appendix at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2024-0179 under 
the Supporting Documents section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Large Marble Butterfly and the 
Large Marble Type Subspecies

Species and Range
    Large marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides); Alaska, California, 
Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, 
North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, 
United States; Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Northwest 
Territories, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, 
Canada.
    Large marble butterfly type subspecies (Euchloe ausonides 
ausonides); central western California.
Petition History
    On October 3, 2023, we received a petition from the Xerces Society 
for Invertebrate Conservation, requesting that the large marble 
butterfly be listed as a threatened species and the large marble type 
subspecies be listed as an endangered species under the Act. The 
petition clearly identified itself as such and included the requisite 
identification information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 
424.14(c). This finding addresses the petition.
Finding
    We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other 
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50 
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the 
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within 
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or 
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation 
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available 
information regarding habitat loss and degradation from urbanization 
(Factor A), we find that the petition presents substantial scientific 
or commercial information indicating that listing the large marble 
butterfly as a threatened species and that listing the large marble 
butterfly type subspecies as an endangered species may be warranted.
    The petitioners also presented information suggesting that habitat 
conversion to agriculture, livestock grazing, herbicide impacts to 
nectar and host plants, changes in wildfire regimes, predation by 
nonnative predators and parasitoids, pesticide use, climate change, and 
loss of genetic diversity may be threats to the large marble butterfly 
and the E. a. ausonides subspecies. We will fully evaluate these 
potential threats during our 12-month

[[Page 7042]]

status review, pursuant to the Act's requirement to review the best 
scientific and commercial information available when making that 
finding.
    The basis for our finding on this petition and other information 
regarding our review of the petition can be found as an appendix at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2024-0097 under 
the Supporting Documents section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Mohave Ground Squirrel

Species and Range
    Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis); southwestern 
Inyo, eastern Kern, northeastern Los Angeles, and northwestern San 
Bernardino counties, California.
Petition History
    On December 13, 2023, we received a petition from Defenders of 
Wildlife, Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, Inc., Mohave Ground 
Squirrel Conservation Council, and Dr. Philip Leitner, requesting that 
the Mohave ground squirrel be listed as a threatened species and that 
critical habitat be designated under the Act. The petition clearly 
identified itself as such and included the requisite identification 
information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This 
finding addresses the petition.
Finding
    We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other 
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50 
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the 
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within 
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or 
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation 
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available 
information regarding habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation 
(Factor A), we find that the petition presents substantial scientific 
or commercial information indicating that listing the Mohave ground 
squirrel as an endangered or a threatened species may be warranted. The 
petitioners also presented information suggesting commercial filming 
activities, hybridization, competition, and climate change may be 
threats to the Mohave ground squirrel. We will fully evaluate these 
potential threats during our 12-month status review, pursuant to the 
Act's requirement to consider the best scientific and commercial 
information available when making that finding.
    The basis for our finding on this petition and other information 
regarding our review of the petition can be found as an appendix at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2024-0098 under 
the Supporting Documents section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List Morrison Bumble Bee

Species and Range
    Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni); eastern Sierra Nevada 
Mountain range, through northeastern Arizona and northern New Mexico, 
north to Colorado and Rocky Mountains in the east, and portions of 
Idaho and Washington.
Petition History
    On November 16, 2023, we received a petition from the Xerces 
Society requesting that the Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni) be 
listed as either a threatened species or endangered species under the 
Act. The petition clearly identified itself as such and included the 
requisite identification information for the petitioner, required at 50 
CFR 424.14(c). This finding addresses the petition.
Finding
    We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other 
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50 
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the 
petition provided regarding the effects of the threats that fall within 
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as may be ameliorated or 
exacerbated by existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation efforts. 
Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the petition 
regarding pesticides (Factor E), livestock overgrazing (Factor A), 
urban development (Factor A), agricultural intensification (Factor A), 
pathogens and parasites (Factor C), and global climate change (Factor 
E), we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that listing the Morrison bumble bee 
as an endangered or threatened species may be warranted.
    The petitioners also present information suggesting the following 
may be threats to the Morrison bumble bee: energy development and 
mining; overutilization for commercial, recreational scientific or 
educational purposes; pathogen spillover; the effects of small, 
isolated populations; and competition with commercial honeybees. The 
petition also suggests that despite the existing regulatory mechanisms, 
potential threats continue to negatively affect the species. We will 
fully evaluate these potential threats during our status review, 
pursuant to the Act's requirement to review the best scientific and 
commercial information available when making our 12-month finding.
    The basis for our finding on this petition and other information 
regarding our review of the petition can be found as an appendix at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2024-0099 under 
the Supporting Documents section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Oasis Valley Speckled Dace

Species and Range
    Amargosa speckled dace [Oasis Valley distinct population segment] 
(Rhinichthys nevadensis nevadensis) (=Oasis Valley speckled dace)--
provisional determination; Nye County, Nevada.
Petition History
    On July 2, 2024, we received a petition from CBD, requesting that 
the Oasis Valley speckled dace distinct population segment of Amargosa 
speckled dace be listed as a threatened species or an endangered 
species and critical habitat be designated for this species under the 
Act. Based on our review of the petition, sources cited in the 
petition, and other readily available information, we find that the 
petition presents substantial information that the Oasis Valley 
population may be discrete based on marked separation from other 
populations of the taxon as a consequence of physical separation and 
evidenced by genetic differences. This suggests that the petitioned 
population segment differs markedly from other populations of Amargosa 
speckled dace in its genetic characteristics. As such, the petitioned 
population segment may be significant per criterion 4 of our DPS policy 
due to evidence that the population segment differs markedly from other 
populations of the species in its genetic characteristics (61 FR 4725). 
Therefore, we find that the petition provides substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that the petitioned entity may 
qualify as a DPS and, therefore, that it may be a listable entity under 
the Act. For the purposes of this 90-day finding evaluation, we will 
use the generally recognized common name--Oasis Valley speckled dace--
to refer to the Oasis Valley population of Amargosa speckled dace that 
occurs in the

[[Page 7043]]

watershed of the Amargosa River in Oasis Valley, Nevada.
    The petitioner also asked that we consider using the emergency 
provisions of the Act to list the species. The petition clearly 
identified itself as such and included the requisite identification 
information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). Listing a 
species on an emergency basis is not a petitionable action under the 
Act, and the question of when to list on an emergency basis is left to 
the discretion of the Service. If the Service determines that the 
standard for emergency listing in section 4(b)(7) of the Act is met, 
the Service may exercise that discretion to take an emergency listing 
action at any time. Therefore, we are considering the July 2, 2024, 
petition as a petition to list the Oasis Valley speckled dace. This 
finding addresses the petition.
Finding
    We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other 
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50 
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the 
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within 
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or 
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation 
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available 
information] regarding gold mining (Factor A), we find that the 
petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information 
indicating that listing the Oasis Valley speckled dace as an endangered 
species or a threatened species may be warranted.
    The petitioners also presented information suggesting solar energy 
development, water diversions, livestock grazing, wild burros, invasive 
species, climate change, and the effects of isolated populations may be 
threats to the Oasis Valley speckled dace We will fully evaluate these 
potential threats during our 12-month status review, pursuant to the 
Act's requirement to review the best scientific and commercial 
information available when making that finding.
    The basis for our finding on this petition and other information 
regarding our review of the petition can be found as an appendix at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2024-0177 under 
the Supporting Documents section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List Tennessee Bottlebrush Crayfish

Species and Range
    Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish (Barbicambarus simmonsi); Lawrence 
County, Tennessee, and Lauderdale County, Alabama.
Petition History
    On June 16, 2023, we received a petition from CBD, requesting that 
the Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish (Barbicambarus simmonsi) be listed 
as a threatened or endangered species and critical habitat be 
designated for this species under the Act. The petition clearly 
identified itself as such and included the requisite identification 
information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This 
finding addresses the petition.
Finding
    We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other 
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50 
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the 
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within 
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or 
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation 
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available 
information regarding habitat destruction and alteration from the 
effects of dams and land use practices including agriculture, 
silviculture, urban runoff, and wastewater treatment facilities (Factor 
A), we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that listing the Tennessee 
bottlebrush crayfish as an endangered species or a threatened species 
may be warranted.
    The petitioners also presented information suggesting 
overutilization or collection and impacts of climate change may be 
threats to the Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish. The petitioners also 
provided information that, despite the existing regulatory mechanisms, 
these potential threats are still affecting the species. We will fully 
evaluate these potential threats during our 12-month status review, 
pursuant to the Act's requirement to review the best scientific and 
commercial information available when making that finding.
    The basis for our finding on this petition and other information 
regarding our review of the petition can be found at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2024-0101 under the 
Supporting Documents section.

Conclusion

    On the basis of our evaluation of the information presented in the 
petitions under section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act, we have determined that 
the petitions summarized above for the Amargosa toad, Carson Valley 
monkeyflower, golden-cheeked warbler, large marble butterfly (including 
the large marble butterfly type subspecies), Mohave ground squirrel, 
Morrison bumble bee, Oasis Valley speckled dace, and Tennessee 
bottlebrush crayfish present substantial scientific or commercial 
information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. We 
are, therefore, initiating status reviews of these species to determine 
whether the actions are warranted under the Act. At the conclusion of 
the status reviews, we will issue findings, in accordance with section 
4(b)(3)(B) of the Act, as to whether the petitioned actions are not 
warranted, warranted, or warranted but precluded by pending proposals 
to determine whether any species is an endangered species or a 
threatened species.

Authors

    The primary authors of this document are staff members of the 
Ecological Services Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Authority

    The authority for these actions is 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. 2025-01118 Filed 1-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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