[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 125 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33784-33785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15975]
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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 Queen Charlotte Goshawk as Endangered
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 Queen Charlotte goshawk (Accipiter
gentilis laingi) under the Endangered Species Act, as amended. After a
review of all available scientific information the Service find that
listing this species is not warranted at this time.
DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on May 19, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Data, information, comments, or questions concerning this
petition should be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
3000 Vintage Blvd., Suite 201, Juneau, Alaska 99801. The petition
finding, supporting data, and comments are available for public
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Lindell, Endangered Species Biologist, Ecological Services (see
ADDRESSES section) (907/586-7240).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (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 November 21, 1991, the Service published in the Federal Register
(56 FR 58804) a notice of review for an updated list of animal taxa
that are being reviewed for possible addition to the List of Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife. Among the species included as Category 2
candidates was the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). By inclusion
as a subspecies, the Queen Charlotte goshawk was also designated a
Category 2 species at that time.
On May 9, 1994, the Service received a petition dated May 2, 1994,
from the Southwest Center for Biological Diversity, the Greater Gila
Biodiversity Project, the Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Greater
Ecosystem Alliance, Save the West, Save America's Forests, Native
Forest Network, Native Forest Council, Eric Holle, and Don Muller to
list the Queen Charlotte goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) as
endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. On August 26, 1994,
(59 FR 44124) the Service announced a 90-day finding that the petition
presented substantial information indicating that the requested action
may be warranted and opened a comment period until November 25, 1994.
On January 4, 1995, (60 FR 425) the Service extended the comment period
until February 9, 1995. On February 24, 1995 (60 FR 10344) the Service
extended the comment period until February 28, 1995.
[[Page 33785]]
The Service has reviewed the petition, the literature cited in the
petition, and other literature and information available in the
Service's files, and contacted persons knowledgeable about this
species. On the basis of the best scientific and commercial information
available, the Service findings 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 Queen Charlotte goshawk. The
Service continues to share those concerns. 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 there is opportunity to manage for the long-term
viability of the goshawk through the implementation of these guidelines
and the management plan. However, it is clear that without significant
changes to the existing Tongass National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan, the long-term viability of the Queen Charlotte goshawk
may be seriously imperiled. The Queen Charlotte goshawk 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 need to
list this species.
Author
The primary author of this document is John Lindell, Endangered
Species Biologist, Ecological Services (see ADDRESSES section)
(telephone 907/586-7240).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: May 19, 1995.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-15975 Filed 6-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
