[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 108 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30772-30773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14530]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AE10
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Change in Listing
Status of Steller Sea Lion
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is reclassifying the
Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) population segment west of
144 deg. W. longitude (a line near Cape Suckling, AK) as endangered and
the remainder of the Steller sea lion population will remain threatened
on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. This measure,
authorized by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), corresponds
with a determination to reclassify this species based on biological
information indicating that there are two distinct population segments,
as authorized under the Act, by the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) which has jurisdiction for this species.
DATES: Effective June 4, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E. LaVerne Smith, 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
Steller sea lion under 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. The FWS is responsible for the
actual addition of a species and changes in reclassification to the
List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in 50 CFR 17.11(h).
The NMFS published its determination for a reclassification of the
Steller sea lion on May 5, 1997 (62 FR 24345). Accordingly, the FWS is
now making this change to the List of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife. This change is effective as of June 4, 1997, as indicated in
the NMFS's determination. Because this action of the FWS is
nondiscretionary, and in view of the public comment period provided by
NMFS on the proposed listing (October 4, 1995; 60 FR 51968), the FWS
finds that good cause exists to omit the notice and public comment
procedures of 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
National Environmental Policy Act
The FWS has 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, as amended. A notice outlining the FWS's
reasons for this determination was published in the Federal Register on
October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).
Required Determinations
The Service has examined this regulation under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 and found it to contain no information collection
requirements.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.
Regulation Promulgation
Accordingly, part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the
Code of Federal Regulations is amended 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. Section 17.11(h) is amended by removing the existing entry for
Sea-lion, Stellar (=northern) and by adding the following entries, in
alphabetical order under MAMMALS, to the List of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife, to read as follows:
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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MAMMALS
* * * * * * *
Sea-lion, Steller (=northern)... Eumetopias jubatus. U.S.A. (AK, CA, Entire, except the T 384E, 408, 614.... 226.12 227.12
OR, WA), Canada, population
Russia, North segment west of
Pacific Ocean. 144 deg. W. Long.
[[Page 30773]]
Do.......................... ......do........... ......do.......... Population segment E 384E, 408, 614.... 226.12 NA
west of 144 deg.
W. Long..
* * * * * * *
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Dated: January 27, 1997.
John G. Rogers,
Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-14530 Filed 6-4-97; 8:45 am]
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