[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 175 (Monday, September 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53807-53808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17978]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 
Eight Southeastern Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 5-
year review of the Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata), Puerto Rican 
plain pigeon (Columba (=Patagioenas) inornata wetmorei), red-cockaded 
woodpecker (Picoides borealis), Puerto Rican boa (Epicrates inornatus), 
Virgin Islands tree boa (Epicrates monensis granti), guaj[oacute]n 
(Eleutherodactylus cooki), Harrisia portoricensis (higo chumbo), and 
Adiantum vivesii (no common name), under section 4(c)(2) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The purpose of 
reviews conducted under this section of the Act is to ensure that the 
classification of species as threatened or endangered on the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12) 
is accurate. The 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific 
and commercial data available at the time of the review.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, information 
submitted for our consideration must be received on or before November 
14, 2005. However, we will continue to accept new information about any 
listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Information submitted on the red-cockaded woodpecker should 
be sent to the Field Supervisor, Clemson Field Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 2610 Lehotsky Hall, Box 341003, Clemson, South 
Carolina 29634. Information on the other seven listed species should be 
sent to the Field Supervisor, Caribbean Field Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622. 
Information received in response to this notice of review will be 
available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at the same address in Clemson, South Carolina, and at Cabo Rojo 
National Wildlife Refuge, Ecological Service Office, Carr. 301, Km. 
5.1, Bo. Corozo, Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico, for the other seven 
species.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Costa, Field Supervisor, 
Clemson, South Carolina, at address above (telephone, (864) 656-2432) 
or Carlos D[iacute]az, Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico, at address above 
(telephone, (787) 851-7297, ext. 230).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533 et seq.), the 
Service maintains a list of endangered and threatened wildlife and 
plant species at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants) 
(collectively referred to as the List). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act 
requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 
five 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 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 would require a separate rulemaking process. 
The regulations at 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 the following 
species that are currently federally listed as threatened: 
guaj[oacute]n and higo chumbo; and the following species currently 
federally listed as endangered: Puerto Rican parrot, Puerto Rican plain 
pigeon, red-cockaded woodpecker, Puerto Rican boa, Virgin Islands tree 
boa, and Adiantum vivesii.
    The List is found in 50 CFR 17.11 (wildlife) and 17.12 (plants) and 
is also available on our Internet site at http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species. Amendments to the List through final rules are 
published in the Federal Register.

What Information Is Considered in the Review?

    A 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data 
that has become available since the current listing determination or 
most recent status review of each species, 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 to 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.

[[Page 53808]]

Definitions Related to This Notice

    The following definitions are provided to assist those persons who 
contemplate submitting information regarding the species being 
reviewed:
    A. Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or 
plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate 
which interbreeds when mature.
    B. Endangered means any species that is in danger of extinction 
throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
    C. Threatened means any species that is likely to become an 
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range.

How Do We Determine Whether a Species Is Endangered or Threatened?

    Section 4(a)(1) of the Act establishes that we determine whether a 
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more 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.
    Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that our determination be made 
on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available.

What Could Happen as a Result of This Review?

    If we find that there is new information concerning any of these 
eight species indicating that 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 endangered to threatened 
(downlist); (b) reclassify the species from threatened to endangered 
(uplist); or (c) delist the species. If we determine that a change in 
classification is not warranted, then these species will remain on the 
List under their current status.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    We request any new information concerning the status of these eight 
species. See ``What information is considered in the review?'' heading 
for specific criteria. Information submitted should be supported by 
documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, methods used to 
gather and analyze the data, and/or copies of any pertinent 
publications, reports, or letters by knowledgeable sources. Our 
practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of 
respondents, available for public review. Individual respondents may 
request that we withhold their home addresses from the supporting 
record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There also 
may be circumstances in which we may withhold from the supporting 
record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to 
withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at 
the beginning of your comment. We will not consider anonymous comments, 
however. 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.

Authority

    This document is published under the authority of the Endangered 
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: August 17, 2005.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 05-17978 Filed 9-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P