2019-13155. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 53 Southeastern Species

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of initiation of reviews; request for information.

SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are initiating 5-year status reviews of 53 species under the Endangered Species Act, as amended. A 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting submission of information that has become available since the last reviews of these species.

DATES:

To allow us adequate time to conduct these reviews, we must receive your comments or information on or before August 19, 2019. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES:

For instructions on how to submit information and review information that we receive on these species, see Request for New Information under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For species-specific information, see Request for New Information under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Why do we conduct 5-year reviews?

Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we maintain lists of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.11 (for wildlife) and 17.12 (for plants: List). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires us to review each listed species' status at least once every 5 years. Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing those species under active review. For additional information about 5-year reviews, go to http://www.fws.gov/​endangered/​what-we-do/​recovery-overview.html.

Which species are under review?

This notice announces our active 5-year reviews of the species in the following table.

Common name/scientific name	Contact person, email, phone	Status (endangered or threatened)	States where the species is known to occur	Final listing rule (Federal Register citation and publication date)	Contact's mailing address
ANIMALS
Mammals
Squirrel, Carolina northern flying (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus)	Sue Cameron, [e-mail], 828-258-3939	Endangered	North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia	50 FR 26999; 7/1/1985	USFWS, 160 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801.
Birds
Scrub-jay, Florida (Aphelocoma coerulescens)	Todd Mecklenborg, [e-mail], 904-731-3045	Threatened	Florida	52 FR 20715; 6/3/1987	USFWS, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
Sparrow, Florida grasshopper (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4310	Endangered	Florida	51 FR 27492; 7/31/1986	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Stork, wood (Mycteria americana) U.S.breeding population	Bill Brooks, [e-mail], 904-731-3136	Threatened	Florida	49 FR 7332; 2/28/1984, 79 FR 37077; 6/30/14	USFWS, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
Reptiles
Boa, Mona (Epicrates monensis monensis)	Felix Lopez, [e-mail], 787-851-7297	Threatened	Puerto Rico	43 FR 4618; 2/3/1978	USFWS, Road 301, Km 5.1, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622.
Tortoise, gopher (Gopherus polyphemus) western population	Matthew Hinderliter, [e-mail], 601-321-1132	Threatened	Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi	52 FR 25376; 7/7/1987	USFWS, 6578 Dogwood View Pkwy., Jackson, MS 39213.
Turtle, flattened musk (Sternotherus depressus)	Daniel Drennen, [e-mail], 601-321-1127	Threatened	Alabama	52 FR 22418; 6/11/1987	USFWS, 6578 Dogwood View Pkwy., Jackson, MS 39213.
Amphibians
Salamander, Red Hills (Phaeognathus hubrichti)	Matt Laschet, [e-mail], 251-441-5184	Threatened	Alabama	41 FR 53032; 12/3/1976	USFWS, 1208B Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526.
Fishes
Chub, slender (Erimystax cahni)	Warren Stiles, [e-mail], 931-528-6481	Threatened	Tennessee	42 FR 45526; 9/9/1977	USFWS, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, TN 38501.
Shiner, palezone (Notropis albizonatus)	Mike Floyd, [e-mail], 502-695-0468	Endangered	Alabama, Kentucky	58 FR 25758; 4/27/1993	USFWS, 330 W Broadway, Ste. 265, Frankfort, KY 40601.
Clams
Monkeyface, Cumberland (Quadrula intermedia)	Andrew Henderson, [e-mail], 828-258-3939	Endangered	Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia	41 FR 24062; 6/14/1976	USFWS, 160 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801.
Pigtoe, rough (Pleurobema plenum)	Stephanie Chance, [e-mail], 931-528-6481	Endangered	Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia	41 FR 24062; 6/14/1976	USFWS, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, TN 38501.
Pigtoe, shiny (Fusconaia cor)	Andrew Henderson, [e-mail], 828-258-3939	Endangered	Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia	41 FR 24062; 6/14/1976	USFWS, 160 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801.
Riffleshell, tan (Epioblasma florentina walkeri)	Andrew Henderson, [e-mail], 828-258-3939	Endangered	Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia	42 FR 42351; 8/23/1977	USFWS, 160 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801.
Spinymussel, Tar River (Elliptio steinstansana)	Sarah McRae, [e-mail], 919-856-4520	Endangered	North Carolina	50 FR 26572; 6/27/1985	USFWS, 551 Pylon Drive, #F, Raleigh, NC 27606.
Insects
Butterfly, Bartram's scrub-hairstreak, (Strymon acis bartrami)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4316	Endangered	Florida	79 FR 47221; 8/12/2014	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Butterfly, Florida leafwing (Anaea troglodyta floridalis)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4311	Endangered	Florida	79 FR 47221; 8/12/2014	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arachnids
Spider, spruce-fir moss (Microhexura montivaga)	Sue Cameron, [e-mail], 828-258-3939	Endangered	North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia	60 FR 6968; 2/6/1995	USFWS, 160 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801.
PLANTS
Flowering Plants
Agave eggersiana (no common name)	Jaime Yrigoyen, [e-mail], 787-851-7297	Endangered	Virgin Islands	79 FR 53303; 9/9/2014	USFWS, Road 301, Km 5.1, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622.
Asimina tetramera (four-petal pawpaw)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	51 FR 34415; 9/26/1986	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Brickellia mosieri (Florida brickell-bush)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	79 FR 52567; 9/4/2014	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Cereus eriophorus var. fragrans (fragrant prickly-apple)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	50 FR 45618; 11/1/1985	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Conradina brevifolia (short-leaved rosemary)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	58 FR 37432; 7/12/1993	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Consolea corallicola (Florida semaphore cactus)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	78 FR 63795; 10/24/2013	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Cornutia obovata (palo de nigua)	Angel Colon, [e-mail], 787-851-7297	Endangered	Puerto Rico	53 FR 11610; 4/7/1988	USFWS, Road 301, Km 5.1, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622.
Cucurbita okeechobeensis ssp. okeechobeensis (Okeechobee gourd)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	58 FR 37432; 7/12/1993	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Deeringothamnus pulchellus (Beautiful pawpaw)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	51 FR 34415; 9/26/1986	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Eryngium cuneifolium (snakeroot)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	52 FR 2227; 1/21/1987	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Eugenia haematocarpa (uvillo)	Omar Monsegur, [e-mail], 787-851-7297	Endangered	Florida	59 FR 60565; 11/25/1994	USFWS, Road 301, Km 5.1, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622.
Gonocalyx concolor (no common name)	Carlos Pacheco, [e-mail], 787-851-7297	Endangered	Puerto Rico	79 FR 53303; 9/9/2014	USFWS, Road 301, Km 5.1, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622.
Helianthus verticillatus (whorled sunflower)	Scott Wiggers, [e-mail], 228-475-0765	Endangered	Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee	79 FR 44712; 8/1/2014	USFWS, 6578 Dogwood View Pkwy., Jackson, MS 39213.
Leavenworthia crassa (fleshy-fruit gladecress)	Shannon Holbrook, [e-mail], 251-441-5184	Endangered	Alabama	79 FR 44712; 8/1/2014	USFWS, 1208B Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526.
Leavenworthia exigua var. laciniata (Kentucky glade cress)	Mike Floyd, [e-mail], 502-695-0468	Threatened	Kentucky	79 FR 25683; 5/6/2014	USFWS, 330 W Broadway, Ste. 265, Frankfort, KY 40601.
Liatris helleri (Heller's blazingstar)	Rebekah Reid, [e-mail], 828-258-3939	Threatened	North Carolina	52 FR 44397; 11/19/1987	USFWS, 160 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801.
Liatris ohlingerae (scrub blazingstar)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	54 FR 31190; 7/27/1989	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Lindera melissifolia (pondberry)	Scott Wiggers, [e-mail], 228-475-0765	Endangered	Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina	51 FR 27495; 7/31/1986	USFWS, 6578 Dogwood View Pkwy., Jackson, MS 39213.
Linum carteri carteri (Carter's small-flowered flax)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	79 FR 52567; 9/4/2014	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Peperomia wheeleri (Wheeler's peperomia)	Carlos Pacheco, [e-mail], 787-851-7297	Endangered	Puerto Rico	52 FR 1459; 1/14/1987	USFWS, Road 301, Km 5.1, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622.
Physaria globosa (Short's bladderpod)	Geoff Call, [e-mail], 931-528-6481	Endangered	Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee	79 FR 44712; 8/1/2014	USFWS, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, TN 38501.
Pilosocereus robinii (Key tree-cactus)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	49 FR 29234; 7/19/1984	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Pleodendron macranthum (Chupacallos)	Angel Colon, [e-mail], 787-851-7297	Endangered	Puerto Rico	59 FR 60565; 11/25/1994	USFWS, Road 301, Km 5.1, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622.
Polygala lewtonii (Lewton's polygala)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	58 FR 25746; 4/27/1993	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Polygonella basiramia (wireweed)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	52 FR 2227; 1/21/1987	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Polygonella myriophylla (sandlace)	Roxanna Hinzman, [e-mail], 772-469-4307	Endangered	Florida	58 FR 25746; 4/27/1993	USFWS, 1339 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Rhus michauxii (Michaux's sumac)	Dale Suiter, [e-mail], 919-856-4520	Endangered	Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia	54 FR 39850; 9/28/1989	USFWS, 551 Pylon Drive, #F, Raleigh, NC 27606.
Sagittaria fasciculata (bunched arrowhead)	Rebekah Reid, [e-mail], 828-258-3939	Endangered	North Carolina, South Carolina	44 FR 43700; 7/25/1979	USFWS, 160 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801.
Sagittaria secundifolia (Kral's water-plantain)	Shannon Holbrook, [e-mail], 251-441-5184	Threatened	Alabama, Georgia	55 FR 13907; 4/13/1990	USFWS, 1208B Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526.
Sarracenia oreophila (green pitcher-plant)	Scott Wiggers, [e-mail], 228-475-0765	Endangered	Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina	44 FR 54922; 9/21/1979	USFWS, 6578 Dogwood View Pkwy., Jackson, MS 39213.
Sarracenia rubra ssp . jonesii (mountain sweet pitcher-plant)	Rebekah Reid, [e-mail], 828-258-3939	Endangered	North Carolina, South Carolina	53 FR 38470; 9/30/1988	USFWS, 160 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801.
Stahlia monosperma (cobana negra)	Jose G. Martinez, [e-mail], 787-851-7297	Threatened	Puerto Rico	55 FR 12790; 4/5/1990	USFWS, Road 301, Km 5.1, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622.
Varronia rupicola (no common name)	Omar Monsegur, [e-mail], 787-851-7297	Threatened	Puerto Rico	79 FR 53303; 9/9/2014	USFWS, Road 301, Km 5.1, P.O. Box 491, Boquerón, PR 00622.
Xyris tennesseensis (Tennessee yellow-eyed grass)	Shannon Holbrook, [e-mail], 251-441-5184	Endangered	Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee	56 FR 34151; 7/26/1991	USFWS, 1208B Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526.
Ferns
Thelypteris pilosa var. alabamensis (Alabama streak-sorus fern)	Shannon Holbrook, [e-mail], 251-441-5184	Threatened	Alabama	57 FR 30164; 7/8/1992	USFWS, 1208B Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526.

What information do we consider in our review?

A 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data that have become available since the current listing determination or most recent status review of each species, such as:

A. Species biology, including, but not limited to, population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics;

B. Habitat conditions, including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, and suitability;

C. Conservation measures that have been implemented to benefit the species;

D. Threat status and trends (see the five factors under How Do We Determine Whether a Species is Endangered or Threatened?); and

E. Other new information, data, or corrections, including, but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous information contained in the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, and improved analytical methods.

We request any new information concerning the status of any of these 53 species. Information submitted should be supported by documentation such as maps; bibliographic references; methods used to gather and analyze the data; and/or copies of any pertinent publications, reports, or letters by knowledgeable sources.

We may conduct a species status assessment (SSA) for some of these species. An SSA is a biological risk assessment to aid decision makers who must use the best available scientific information to make policy decisions or recommendations under the ESA. The SSA provides decisionmakers with a scientifically rigorous characterization of a species' status, and of the likelihood that the species will sustain populations, along with key uncertainties in that characterization. It presents a compilation of the best available information on a species, as well as its ecological needs, based on environmental factors. An SSA also describes the current condition of the species' habitat and demographics, and probable explanations for past and ongoing changes in abundance and distribution within the species' range. Finally, it forecasts the species' response to probable future scenarios of environmental conditions and conservation efforts. Overall, an SSA uses the conservation biology principles of resiliency, redundancy, and representation (collectively known as the “3 Rs”) to evaluate the current and future condition of the species. As a result, the SSA characterizes a species' ability to sustain populations in the wild over time based on the best scientific understanding of current and future abundance and distribution within the species' ecological settings.

Definitions

A. Species means any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife which interbreeds when mature.

B. Endangered means any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

C. Threatened means any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

How do we determine whether a species is endangered or threatened?

Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires that we determine whether a species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the following five factors:

A. The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range;

B. Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes;

C. Disease or predation;

D. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or

E. Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.

Request for New Information

To do any of the following, contact the person associated with the species you are interested in under the table in Which species are under review?, above:

A. To get more information on a species;

B. To submit information on a species; or

C. To review information we receive, which will be available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the listed addresses.

Public Availability of Comments

Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the offices where the comments are submitted. Comments we receive become part of the administrative record associated with this action. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can request in your comment that we withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their entirety.

Availability of Status Reviews

All completed status reviews under the ESA are available via the Service website, at https://www.fws.gov/​endangered/​species/​us-species.html.

Authority

This document is published under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Dated: April 18, 2019.

Mike Oetker,

Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.