[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56297-56298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27377]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 227
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Availability of a Status Review of the Atlantic Salmon in the
Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment
AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Services, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Commerce; Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: A Biological Review Team (Team), consisting of National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
(Services) biologists, has completed a review of the status of Atlantic
salmon in the Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) (Review
of the Status of Anadromous Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) under the
U.S. Endangered Species Act, July, 1999).
DATES: You should request copies of the July, 1999, status review by
November 18, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Requests should be addressed to Mary Colligan, NMFS,
Protected Resources Division, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester,
Massachusetts, 01930, or Paul Nickerson, FWS, 300 Westgate Center
Drive, Hadley, MA, 01035.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Colligan, NMFS (978-281-9116) or
Paul Nickerson, FWS (413-253-8615) at the above addresses.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Team has completed a review of the
biological status of Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine DPS,
including an assessment of the adequacy of protective measures, the
extent of implementation of these measures, and the effect of these
measures on Atlantic salmon and their habitat. This status review is an
update to the 1995 Atlantic salmon status review and indicates that,
under current circumstances, it is the opinion of the Biological Review
Team that the Gulf of Maine DPS is in danger of extinction.
Availability of Documents
You may obtain copies of the July, 1999, status review from Mary
Colligan or Paul Nickerson (see ADDRESSES section).
Background Information
On December 18, 1997, the Services withdrew a proposed rule to list
a distinct population segment of Atlantic salmon in seven Maine rivers
as ``threatened'' under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(Act) (62 FR 66325). In reaching this determination, the Services
considered the status of the Atlantic salmon in the seven Maine rivers.
This evaluation took into account the efforts made to protect the
species including the State of Maine Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan
(Conservation Plan) for the Seven Rivers, private and Federal efforts
to restore the species, and international efforts to control ocean
harvest through the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization.
The Services determined that these efforts substantially reduced
threats to the species; that the seven rivers DPS of Atlantic salmon
was not likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future; and
that, therefore, listing under the Act was not warranted. The
populations that constituted the seven rivers DPS were those in the
Dennys, East Machias, Machias, Pleasant, Narraguagus, Ducktrap, and
Sheepscot Rivers. However, the Services renamed the seven rivers DPS
the ``Gulf of Maine DPS'' in recognition of the possibility that
Atlantic salmon in other Maine rivers could be added to the DPS in the
future. The Services stated that Atlantic salmon populations in other
rivers would be added to the DPS if they were found to be naturally
reproducing and have historical river-specific characteristics. The
geographic area within which populations of Atlantic salmon would be
likely to meet the criteria for inclusion in the DPS was identified as
ranging from the lower tributaries of the Kennebec River north to, but
not including, the St. Croix River.
With the withdrawal of the proposed listing rule, the NMFS retained
the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon on its list of candidate
species, and the Services committed to maintaining oversight of the
species. Specifically, the Services stated in the withdrawal notice
that the process for listing the Gulf of Maine DPS would be reinitiated
if: (1) An emergency which poses a significant risk to the well-being
of the Gulf of Maine DPS is identified and not immediately and
adequately addressed; (2) the biological status of the Gulf of Maine
DPS is such that the DPS is in danger of extinction throughout all or a
significant portion of its range; or (3) the biological status of the
Gulf of Maine DPS is such that the DPS is likely to become endangered
in the foreseeable
[[Page 56298]]
future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Further,
the withdrawal notice stated that the circumstances described under
(1), (2), and (3) could result from: insufficient progress in
implementation of the Conservation Plan; a failure to modify the
Conservation Plan to address new threat(s) or an increase in the
severity of threat(s); a failure to modify the Conservation Plan, if
necessary, to address threat(s) facing any other populations added to
the Gulf of Maine DPS in the future; or the inability of the State of
Maine to address threat(s). The notice stated that a decision to
reinitiate the listing process generally would be made shortly after
the end of an annual reporting period.
In the withdrawal notice, the Services committed to making the
State of Maine's annual report on the implementation of their
Conservation Plan available for review to the public in order to keep
interested parties informed and to provide an opportunity for comment.
The annual review of the Conservation Plan was part of the Services'
broader comprehensive review of the species' status relative to the
Act. On January 20, 1999, the first State of Maine annual report on
implementation of the Conservation Plan was made available for public
review and comment. The Services published a Federal Register notice on
that day, opening a comment period until March 8, 1999. The Services
reviewed all public comments received on the draft annual report and
provided a summary of those, along with their own comments, to the
State of Maine in March 1999. The Services received a final revised
annual report from the State of Maine on April 13, 1999.
The July, 1999, Atlantic salmon status review identifies changes in
species status, threats, and protection since the withdrawal notice.
The updated status review states that, under current circumstances, it
is the opinion of the Biological Review Team that the Gulf of Maine DPS
is in danger of extinction. The status review also states that there
are now at least eight rivers in the DPS range that still contain
functioning populations, but at substantially reduced abundance levels.
Recent survey work indicates that a naturally reproducing population
that contains historic-river-specific characteristics also remains in
Cove Brook and therefore warrants inclusion in the Gulf of Maine DPS.
The FWS has designated the Atlantic salmon Gulf of Maine DPS as a
candidate for listing. The FWS and NMFS will promptly begin preparation
of a proposed rule to list this DPS of Atlantic salmon under the
Endangered Species Act.
Dated: September 30, 1999.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Dated: October 6, 1999.
Penelope D. Dalton,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27377 Filed 10-15-99; 4:24 pm]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
