[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 29, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72960-72961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33782]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AF82
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of
Threatened Status for Two Chinook Salmon Evolutionarily Significant
Units (ESUs) in California
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) are adding
the Central Valley spring-run Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) and
the California Coastal ESU of the west coast chinook salmon
(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to the List of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife as threatened. This amendment to the list, authorized by the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), is based on a determination by
the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which has jurisdiction
for this species.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 15, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Gloman, Chief, Division of
Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703/358-2171).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Reorganization Plan No. 4
of 1970, the NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Department of Commerce, is responsible for the decisions regarding the
Central Valley spring-run and the California Coastal, both are ESUs of
the west coast chinook salmon as defined in the Act. Under section
4(a)(2) of the Act, NMFS must decide whether a species under its
jurisdiction should be classified as endangered or threatened, and the
Service is responsible for the actual addition of these species to the
List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in 50 CFR 17.11(h).
The NMFS published its determination of threatened status for the
Central Valley spring-run ESU and the California Coastal ESU of the
west coast chinook salmon on September 16, 1999 (64 FR 50394).
Accordingly, we are now adding both ESUs to the List of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife, as threatened species. This addition is effective
as of November 15, 1999, as indicated in the NMFS determination.
Because this action is nondiscretionary, and in view of the public
comment period provided by NMFS on the March 9, 1998, proposed listing
(63 FR 11482), we find that good cause exists to omit the notice and
public comment procedures of 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
National Environmental Policy Act
We have determined that an environmental assessment, as defined
under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,
need not be prepared in connection with regulations adopted pursuant to
section 4(a) of the Act. We published a notice outlining our reasons
for this determination in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48
FR 49244).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Export, Import, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Regulation Promulgation
Accordingly, we amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter 1, title 50
of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below:
PART 17--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C.
4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500, unless otherwise noted.
2. Amend Sec. 17.11(h) by adding the following to the List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, in alphabetical order under FISHES:
Sec. 17.11 Endangered and threatened wildlife.
* * * * *
(h) * * *
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Species Vertebrate
-------------------------------------------------------- population where Critical Special
Historic range endangered or Status When listed habitat Rules
Common name Scientific name threatened
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* * * * * * *
Fishes
* * * * * * *
Salmon, chinook.................. Oncorhynchus North Pacific Basin U.S.A. (CA) all T 674 NA NA
(=Salmo) from U.S.A. (CA) to naturally spawned
tshawytscha. Japan. spring-run
populations from
the Sacramento San
Joaquin R.
mainstem and its
tributaries..
Salmon, chinook.................. Oncorhynchus North Pacific Basin U.S.A. (CA) from T 674 NA NA
tshawytscha. from U.S.A. (CA) to Redwood Creek
Japan. south to Russian
R., inclusive, all
naturally spawn
populations in
mainstems and
tributaries.
* * * * * * *
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[[Page 72961]]
Dated: December 9, 1999.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33782 Filed 12-28-99; 8:45 am]
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