[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 91 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25201-25202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11535]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 950428122-5122-01; I.D. 042195D]
RIN 0648-XX18


Listing of Endangered and Threatened Species; Petition To Delist 
the Snake River Sockeye Salmon

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of finding.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received a petition to delist Snake River sockeye 
salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) from the endangered species list. NMFS has 
determined the petition does not contain any new, substantial 
scientific or commercial information, not previously considered by NMFS 
in the original listing process, indicating that the petitioned action 
may be warranted.

DATES: The finding made in this document was made on May 4, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Garth Griffin, Environmental and 
Technical Services Division, 503-231-2005, or Gregory Miller, 
Endangered Species Division, 301-713-1401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 10, 1995, NMFS received a petition from Mr. Delbert L. 
Lathim to delist Snake River sockeye salmon from the endangered species 
list. Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) requires NMFS to make a finding on whether a petition to 
list, delist, or [[Page 25202]] reclassify a species presents 
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the 
petitioned action may be warranted. To the maximum extent practicable, 
this finding is to be made within 90 days of the receipt of the 
petition, and the finding is to be published promptly in the Federal 
Register. If the finding is positive, NMFS is required to commence a 
status review of the involved species. The criteria considered in 
determining whether or not a petition is substantial are outlined in 50 
CFR 424.14(b)(2).
    The petitioner argued that Snake River sockeye salmon no longer 
exist, and therefore, no longer need protection. However, the 
petitioner presented data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Department of Defense, that indicated that 11 adult sockeye salmon were 
counted at three Snake River Dams (Lower Monumental Dam, Little Goose 
Dam, and Lower Granite Dam, ID) in 1994. This information is neither 
new nor substantial; NMFS records show that large sockeye salmon 
(approximately 18 inches (45.7 cm) in length or greater) were counted 
at these dams on the dates indicated in the petition. During the past 3 
years, these dam counts, coupled with the actual return of 10 adult 
sockeye salmon to Redfish Lake, ID, provide evidence that Snake River 
sockeye salmon are, in fact, not extinct.
    Because the petition to delist Snake River sockeye salmon does not 
contain any new, substantial scientific or commercial information 
indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted, NMFS is not 
initiating a status review.

    Dated: May 4, 1995.
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-11535 Filed 5-10-95; 8:45 am]
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