2018-16931. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 19 Northeastern Species  

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    AGENCY:

    Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

    ACTION:

    Notice of initiation of reviews; request for information.

    SUMMARY:

    We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are initiating 5-year reviews under the Endangered Species Act, as amended (ESA), for 19 northeastern species. A 5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the previous 5-year review for each species.

    DATES:

    To ensure consideration, please submit your written information by September 7, 2018. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time.

    ADDRESSES:

    For instructions on how and where to submit information, see Request for Information and Table 2—Contacts under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    For information regarding a particular species, contact the appropriate person or office listed in Table 2—Contacts in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. For general information, contact Mary Parkin, by U.S. mail at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035; by telephone at 617-417-3331; or by electronic mail at mary_parkin@fws.gov.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    We, the Service, are initiating 5-year reviews under the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) for 19 northeastern species: The endangered sandplain gerardia, roseate tern (northeastern North American population), Roanoke logperch, Virginia big-eared bat, dwarf wedgemussel, northern riffleshell, clubshell, purple bean, Peter's Mountain mallow, Furbish's lousewort, and northeastern bulrush, and the threatened Puritan tiger beetle, northeastern beach tiger beetle, flat-spired three-toothed (=Cheat) snail, Chittenango ovate amber snail, bog turtle (northern population), American hart's-tongue fern, Knieskern's beaked-rush, and Virginia sneezeweed.

    A 5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the most recent status review for each species.

    Why do we conduct 5-year reviews and species status assessments?

    Under the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we maintain Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (which we collectively refer to as the List). Listed wildlife and plants can be found at http://ecos.fws.gov/​tess_​public/​pub/​listedAnimals.jsp and http://ecos.fws.gov/​tess_​public/​pub/​listedPlants.jsp,, respectively. 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 species under active review. For additional information about 5-year reviews, refer to our fact sheet at http://www.fws.gov/​endangered/​what-we-do/​recovery-overview.html.

    What species are under review?

    We are initiating 5-year status reviews of the species in table 1.

    Table 1—Species Under Review

    Common nameScientific nameStatusWhere listedListing date and citation
    Animals
    Roseate ternSterna dougallii dougalliiEndangeredNortheastern North American population (CT, ME, MA, NJ, NY, NC, RI, VA)52 FR 42064; 11/02/1987.
    Roanoke logperchPercina rexEndangeredWherever found54 FR 34468; 08/18/1989.
    Virginia big-eared batCorynorhinus (=plecotus) townsendii virginianusEndangeredWherever found44 FR 69206; 11/30/1979.
    Dwarf wedgemusselAlasmidonta heterodonEndangeredWherever found55 FR 9447; 03/14/1990.
    Northern riffleshellEpioblasma torulosa rangianaEndangeredWherever found58 FR 5638; 01/22/1993.
    ClubshellPleurobema clavaEndangeredWherever found58 FR 5638; 01/22/1993.
    Purple beanVillosa perpurpureaEndangeredWherever found62 FR 1647; 01/10/1997.
    Puritan tiger beetleCicindela puritanaThreatenedWherever found55 FR 32088; 08/07/1990.
    Northeastern beach tiger beetleCicindela dorsalis dorsalisThreatenedWherever found55 FR 32088; 08/07/1990.
    Flat-spired three-toothed (=Cheat) snailTriodopsis platysayoidesThreatenedWherever found43 FR 28932; 07/03/1978.
    Chittenango ovate amber snailNovisuccinea chittenangoensisThreatenedWherever found43 FR 28932; 07/03/1978.
    Bog turtleGlyptemys [= Clemmys] muhlenbergiiThreatenedNorthern population (CT, DE, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA)62 FR 59605; 11/04/1997.
    Plants
    Sandplain gerardiaAgalinis acutaEndangeredWherever found53 FR 34701; 09/07/1988.
    Peter's Mountain mallowIliamna coreiEndangeredWherever found56 FR 32978; 07/18/1991.
    Furbish's lousewortPedicularis furbishiaeEndangeredWherever found51 FR 17343; 05/12/1986.
    Northeastern bulrushScirpus ancistrochaetusEndangeredWherever found56 FR 21091; 05/07/1991.
    American hart's-tongue fernAsplenium scolopendrium var. americanumThreatenedWherever found54 FR 29726; 07/14/1989.
    Knieskern's beaked-rushRhynchospora knieskerniiThreatenedWherever found56 FR 32978; 07/18/1991.
    Virginia sneezeweedHelenium virginicumThreatenedWherever found63 FR 59239; 11/03/1998.
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    What information do we consider in our 5-year reviews and SSAs?

    A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time of the review. In conducting the review, we consider the best scientific and commercial data that have become available since the most recent status review. We are seeking new information specifically regarding:

    (1) Species biology, including but not limited to life history and habitat requirements and impact tolerance thresholds;

    (2) Historical and current population conditions, including but not limited to population abundance, trends, distribution, demographics, and genetics;

    (3) Historical and current habitat conditions, including but not limited to amount, distribution, and suitability;

    (4) Historical and current threats, threat trends, and threat projections in relation to the five listing factors (as defined in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA);

    (5) Conservation measures for the species that have been implemented or are planned; and

    (6) Other new information, data, or corrections, including but not limited to taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous information contained in the List, and improved analytical methods.

    Any new information received will be considered during the 5-year review and will also be useful in evaluating ongoing recovery programs for the species.

    Request for New Information

    To ensure that 5-year reviews are based on the best available scientific and commercial information, we request new information from all sources. If you submit information, please support it with 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.

    How do I ask questions or provide information?

    Please submit your questions, comments, and materials to the appropriate contact in table 2. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

    Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, electronic mail address, or other personal identifying information in your submission, you should be aware that your entire submission—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. Although you can request that personal information be withheld from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the offices where the information is submitted.

    Contacts

    New information on the species covered in this notice should be submitted by mail or electronic mail to the appropriate contact person within the timeframe provided in DATES.

    Table 2—Contacts

    SpeciesContact person, phone, emailContact address
    Roseate ternSusi von Oettingen, 603-223-2541, extension 22, susi_vonoettingen@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New England Field Office, 70 Commercial Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301.
    Chittenango ovate amber snailRobyn Niver, 607-299-0620, robyn_niver@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York Field Office, 3817 Luker Road, Cortland, NY 13045.
    Roanoke logperchSumalee Hoskin, 804-824-2414, sumalee_hoskin@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061.
    Virginia big-eared batBarbara Douglas, 304-636-6586, extension 19, barbara_douglas@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West Virginia Field Office, 694 Beverly Pike, Elkins, WV 26241.
    Dwarf wedgemusselSandra Doran, 607-753-9334, extension 0586, sandra_doran@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York Field Office, 3817 Luker Road, Cortland, NY 13045.
    Northern riffleshellRobert Anderson, 814-234-4090, extension 7447, robert_m_anderson@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Field Office, 110 Radnor Road, Suite 101, State College, PA 16801.
    ClubshellRobert Anderson, 814-234-4090, extension 7447, robert_m_anderson@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Field Office, 110 Radnor Road, Suite 101, State College, PA 16801.
    Purple beanJordan Richard, 276-623-1233, extension 15, jordan_richard@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwestern Virginia Field Office, 330 Cummings Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.
    Puritan tiger beetleCherry Keller, 410-573-4532, cherry_keller@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office, 177 Admiral Cochrane Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401.
    Northeastern beach tiger beetleJennifer Stanhope, 804-824-2408, Jennifer_stanhope@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061.
    Flat-spired three-toothed snail (Cheat snail)Barbara Douglas, 304-636-6586, extension 19, barbara_douglas@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West Virginia Field Office, 694 Beverly Pike, Elkins, WV 26241.
    Bog turtleNoelle Rayman-Metcalf, 607-753-9334, noelle_rayman@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York Field Office, 3817 Luker Road, Cortland, NY 13045.
    Sandplain gerardiaSteve Sinkevich, 631-286-0485, steve_sinkevich@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Long Island Field Office, 340 Smith Road, Shirley, NY 11967.
    Peter's Mountain mallowJennifer Stanhope, 804-824-2408, jennifer_stanhope@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061.
    Furbish's lousewortMark McCollough, 207-902-1570, mark_mccollough@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Fish and Wildlife Service Complex, Maine Field Office, P.O. Box A, East Orland, ME 04431.
    Northeastern bulrushMelinda Turner, 814-234-4090, extension 7449, melinda_turner@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Field Office, 110 Radnor Road, Suite 101, State College, PA 16801.
    American hart's-tongue fernJohn Wiley, 607-753-9334, john_wiley@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York Field Office, 3817 Luker Road, Cortland, NY 13045.
    Knieskern's beaked-rushRon Popowski, 609-241-7065, ron_popowski@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Jersey Field Office, 4 East Jimmie Leeds Road, Suite 4, Galloway, NJ 08205.
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    Virginia sneezeweedJennifer Stanhope, 804-824-2408, jennifer_stanhope@fws.govU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061.

    Authority

    We publish this document under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

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    Dated: July 16, 2018.

    Deborah Rocque,

    Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.

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    [FR Doc. 2018-16931 Filed 8-7-18; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

Document Information

Published:
08/08/2018
Department:
Fish and Wildlife Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of initiation of reviews; request for information.
Document Number:
2018-16931
Dates:
To ensure consideration, please submit your written information by September 7, 2018. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time.
Pages:
39113-39115 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FWS-R5-ES-2018-N050, FXES11130500000-189-FF05E00000
PDF File:
2018-16931.Pdf