[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3654-3655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1675]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AC 50
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of
Proposed Rule to List Santa Cruz Rain Beetle (Pleocoma conjungens
conjungens) as Endangered
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) withdraws the
proposal list the Santa Cruz rain beetle (Pleocoma conjungens
conjungens) as an endangered species, pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Additional information provided
to the Service since the publication of the proposed rule indicates the
Santa Cruz rain beetle is more widespread than previously known, and
the species' range may extend beyond the Zayante sand hills ecosystem
into surrounding coast redwood forests. The Service has considered the
additional information and determined that listing of the Santa Cruz
rain beetle is not warranted at this time. However, continued urban
development and sand mining throughout significant portions of the
species' range, if not accompanied by appropriate conservation
measures, may necessitate its listing in the foreseeable future.
ADDRESSES: The complete file for this rule is available for inspection,
by appointment, during normal business hours at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Ventura Field Office, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B,
Ventura, California 93003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Benz, Assistant Field Supervisor,
Ventura Field Office, (see ADDRESSES section, telephone 805/644-1766).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On May 10, 1994, the Service published a proposal to list three
species of insects from the Santa Cruz Mountains in California as
endangered
[[Page 3655]]
species (59 FR 24112). The Santa Cruz rain beetle was included in this
proposal. During the comment period on the proposal, additional
information was received regarding the Santa Cruz rain beetle
indicating the populations were more widespread throughout the Zayante
sand hills ecosystem than previously known, and that specimens also
were collected in adjacent coast redwood forest (Hazeltine 1993; J.
Hoekstra, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pers. obs. 1994).
Furthermore, the Service learned of currently undescribed specimens
collected from both north and south of the Zayante sand hills region
that may be Pleocoma conjungens conjungens or, at least, closely
related subspecies (F. Hovore, pers. comm. 1994). This new information
and evidence from a historic specimen collected in an area dominated by
coastal redwood forest, known as Waddell Creek, suggest that the range
of the beetle may extend beyond the Zayante sand hills ecosystem.
The Service has considered the new information and determined
listing the Santa Cruz rain beetle is not warranted at this time.
Information now in the possession of the Service indicates the species
is more abundant or widespread than previously believed. The Service
removes this species from candidate status. If further research
establishes the full extent of the beetle's range and assesses its
status therein; and if urban development, sand mining, and other
activities continue to alter its habitat throughout all or significant
portion of its range; or if other factors threaten the continued
existence of this species, the Santa Cruz rain beetle may be
reevaluated for possible inclusion as a candidate species. A final rule
listing the other two insect species included in the proposal, the
Mount Hermon June beetle (Polyphylla barbata) and the Zayante band-
winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis infantilis), is published in the
Federal Register concurrently with this notice of withdrawal of the
Santa Cruz rain beetle.
References Cited
Hazeltine, W. 1993. Report on the flights and distribution of the
scarab beetle Pleocoma conjungens in the Santa Cruz County
California area during 1993. Unpublished report, Oroville,
California.
Author
The primary authors of this notice are Carl Benz and Jonathan
Hoekstra, Ventura Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).
Authority
The authority for this action is section 4(b)(6)(B)(ii) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: January 6, 1997.
John G. Rogers,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1675 Filed 1-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
