[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 36 (Thursday, February 23, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10056-10057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4421]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding
for a Petition to List the Alexander Archipelago Wolf as Threatened
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of 12-month petition finding.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 12-month
finding for a petition to list the Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis
lupus ligoni) under the Endangered Species Act, as amended. After
review of all available scientific information, the Service finds that
listing this species is not warranted at this time.
DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on February 15,
1995.
ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this petition should be
sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage,
Alaska, 99503. Comments and materials received will be available for
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Janet Hohn, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services (see
ADDRESSES section) (telephone 907/786-3544). [[Page 10057]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the Service make a
finding within 12 months of the date of the receipt of a valid petition
on whether the petitioned action is (a) not warranted, (b) warranted,
or (c) warranted but precluded from immediate proposal by other pending
proposals of higher priority.
On December 17, 1993, the Service received a petition dated
December 13, 1993, from the Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Eric Holle
and Martin J. Berghoffen, to list the Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis
lupus ligoni). A 90-day finding was made by the Service that the
petition presented substantial information indicating that the
requested action may be warranted. The 90-day finding was announced on
May 20, 1994 (59 FR 26476). A status review was initiated on May 20,
1994, and the public comment period was open between May 20 and October
1, 1994.
The Service has reviewed the petition, the literature cited in the
petition, other available literature and information, and consulted
with biologists and researchers familiar with the Alexander Archipelago
wolf. On the basis of the best scientific and commercial information
available, the Service finds the petition is not warranted at this
time.
In the 90-day finding the Service recognized the petitioners
concerns for the long-term survival of the Alexander Archipelago wolf;
however, the best available information indicates that the subspecies'
population is currently stable. The Alexander Archipelago wolf's range
lies almost entirely on lands managed by the Tongass National Forest.
The U.S. Forest Service is evaluating its land management practices
through the development of interim management guidelines to maintain
viable populations of native wildlife, and considering long-term
management actions through revision of the Tongass National Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan. The Service believes that there is
opportunity to manage for the long-term viability of the Alexander
Archipelago wolf through the implementation of interim guidelines and
the revised Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan. However, it is
clear by our analysis that without significant changes to the existing
Tongass National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, the long-
term viability of the Alexander Archipelago wolf is seriously
imperiled. The Alexander Archipelago wolf will therefore be retained on
the Service's list as a category 2 candidate species. If additional
data become available, the Service may reassess the listing priority or
the need to list this species.
Authority
The authority for this section is the Endangered Species Act (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: February 15, 1995.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4421 Filed 2-22-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
