A draft economic analysis for the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Kootenai River white sturgeon is available for review. The comment period for the proposal has been reopened on the proposal and draft economic analysis until May 29. A status review of a petition to list the sicklefin chub and the sturgeon chub, native to the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, as endangered has found that listing either of the two species is not warranted at this time. A status review of smalltooth sawfish has determined that a petition to list North American populations as endangered is warranted. The current distribution of this species is restricted to peninsular Florida.
Threats are habitat destruction, overfishing, and inadequacy of existing regulations.
Comments must be received by July 16. A public hearing will be held if any person requests one within 45 days of the date of this publication. The Secretary of Commerce's proposed evaluation of a tribal resource management plan for protective regulations promulgated for Puget Sound chinook salmon has been submitted. The Tribal Plan describes research and assessment activities that may affect listed Puget Sound chinook salmon. Comments on the Secretary's proposed evaluation must be received by May 14.