2010-7915. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Status Reviews of 69 Species in Idaho, Washington, Hawaii, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of initiation of review/reviews; request for information.

SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are initiating 5-year reviews for 69 species in Idaho, Washington, Hawaii, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request any new information on these species that may have a bearing on their classification as endangered or threatened. Based on the results of our 5-year reviews we will determine whether these species are properly classified under the Act.

DATES:

To ensure consideration in our reviews, we are requesting submission of new information no later than June 7, 2010. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES:

For the 66 species under review in Hawaii, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (see Table 1 below), submit information to: Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-122, Box 50088, Honolulu, HI 96850. Information can also be submitted by e-mail to: [e-mail].

For the Kootenai River white sturgeon and northern Idaho ground squirrel, submit information to: State Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Room 368, Boise, ID 83709. Information can also be submitted by e-mail to: [e-mail].

For the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, submit information to: Field Supervisor, Attention: 5-Year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Dr. SE., Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503. Information can also be submitted by e-mail to: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marilet Zablan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES), 808-792-9400 (for species in Hawaii, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); Steve Duke, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, 208-378-5243 (for Kootenai River white sturgeon and northern Idaho ground squirrel); or Jodi Bush, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 360-753-9440 (for Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit). Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at [phone] for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Why Do We Conduct 5-Year Reviews?

Under the Act (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) in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act requires us to review each listed species' status at least once every 5 years. Then, under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether to remove any species from the List (delist), to reclassify it from endangered to threatened, or to reclassify it from threatened to endangered, or to conclude that the current listing is appropriate. Any change in Federal classification requires a separate rulemaking process.

We use the following definitions, from 50 CFR 424.02, in our analysis of classification status:

(A) Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate, that interbreeds when mature;

(B) Endangered species means any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range; and

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

We must support a delisting action with the best scientific and commercial data available, and only consider delisting if data substantiate that the species is neither endangered nor threatened for one or more of the following reasons (50 CFR 424.11(d)):

(A) The species is considered extinct;

(B) The species is considered to be recovered; or

(C) The original data available when the species was listed, or the interpretation of data, were in error.

Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the species we are reviewing.

II. What Species Are Under Review?

This notice announces our active review of the 69 species listed in Table 1.

Table 1—Species for Which We Are Initiating a Status Review To Determine If They Are Appropriately Listed Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Where listed	Final listing rule
ANIMALS
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila aglaia	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila differens	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila hemipeza	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila heteroneura	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila montgomeryi	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila mulli	T	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila musaphila	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila neoclavisetae	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila obatai	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila ochrobasis	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila substenoptera	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Pomace fly, [Unnamed]	Drosophila tarphytrichia	E	U.S.A. (HI)	71 FR 26835; 5/9/2006.
Rabbit, Pygmy	Brachylagus idahoensis	E	U.S.A. (WA—Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, Adams, Benton Counties)	66 FR 59734; 11/30/2001.
Squirrel, Northern Idaho Ground	Spermophilus brunneus brunneus	T	U.S.A. (ID)	65 FR 17779; 4/5/2000.
Sturgeon, White	Acipenser transmontanus	E	U.S.A. (ID, MT), Canada (B.C.) (Kootenai R. system)	59 FR 45989; 9/6/1994.
PLANTS
No common name	Alsinidendron obovatum	E	U.S.A. (HI)	56 FR 55770; 10/29/1991.
No common name	Amaranthus brownii	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 43178; 8/21/1996.
'Ahinahina	Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp. sandwicense	E	U.S.A. (HI)	51 FR 9814; 3/21/1986.
No common name	Asplenium fragile insulare	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 49025; 9/26/1994.
'Akoko	Chamaesyce celastroides var. kaenana	E	U.S.A. (HI)	56 FR 55770; 10/29/1991.
'Akoko	Chamaesyce deppeana	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 14482; 3/28/1994.
'Akoko	Chamaesyce herbstii	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
'Akoko, Ewa Plains	Chamaesyce skottsbergii var. kalaeloana	E	U.S.A. (HI)	47 FR 36846; 8/24/1982.
'Oha wai	Clermontia drepanomorpha	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
'Oha wai	Clermontia pyrularia	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Haha	Cyanea copelandii ssp. copelandii	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Haha	Cyanea grimesiana ssp. obatae	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 32932; 6/27/1994.
Haha	Cyanea pinnatifida	E	U.S.A. (HI)	56 FR 55770; 10/29/1991.
Haha	Cyanea platyphylla	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
Haha	Cyanea st.-johnii	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
Haha	Cyanea stictophylla	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Haha	Cyanea superba	E	U.S.A. (HI)	56 FR 46235; 9/11/1991.
Haha	Cyanea truncata	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 14482; 3/28/1994.
Ha'iwale	Cyrtandra dentata	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
Ha'iwale	Cyrtandra giffardii	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Ha'iwale	Cyrtandra tintinnabula	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
No common name	Delissea undulata	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
No common name	Gahnia lanaiensis	E	U.S.A. (HI)	56 FR 47686; 9/20/1991.
No common name	Gouania vitifolia	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 32932; 6/27/1994.
No common name	Hedyotis degeneri	E	U.S.A. (HI)	56 FR 55770; 10/29/1991.
Pilo	Hedyotis mannii	E	U.S.A. (HI)	57 FR 46325; 10/8/1992.
Hau kuahiwi	Hibiscadelphus woodii	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
Aupaka	Isodendrion hosakae	E	U.S.A. (HI)	56 FR 1454; 1/14/1991.
Kamakahala	Labordia tinifolia var. lanaiensis	E	U.S.A. (HI)	64 FR 48307; 9/3/1999.
Nehe	Lipochaeta micrantha	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 9304; 2/25/1994.
No common name	Lipochaeta venosa	E	U.S.A. (HI)	44 FR 62468; 10/30/1979.
No common name	Mariscus fauriei	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Alani	Melicope munroi	E	U.S.A. (HI)	64 FR 48307; 9/3/1999.
No common name	Neraudia sericea	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 56333; 11/10/1994.
No common name	Nesogenes rotensis	E	Western Pacific Ocean: U.S.A. (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)	69 FR 18499; 4/8/2004.
'Aiea	Nothocestrum breviflorum	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Holei	Ochrosia kilaueaensis	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
No common name	Osmoxylon mariannense	E	Western Pacific Ocean: U.S.A. (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)	69 FR 18499; 4/8/2004.
Makou	Peucedanum sandwicense	T	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 9304; 2/25/1994.
No common name	Phyllostegia glabra var. lanaiensis	E	U.S.A. (HI)	56 FR 47686; 9/20/1991.
Kiponapona	Phyllostegia racemosa	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
No common name	Phyllostegia velutina	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
No common name	Phyllostegia warshaueri	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
Kuahiwi laukahi	Plantago hawaiiensis	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Hala pepe	Pleomele hawaiiensis	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
Po'e	Portulaca sclerocarpa	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Lo'ulu	Pritchardia affinis	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Lagu, Hayun	Serianthes nelsonii	E	Western Pacific Ocean: U.S.A. (Guam, Rota)	52 FR 4907; 2/18/1987.
'Anunu	Sicyos alba	E	U.S.A. (HI)	61 FR 53089; 10/10/1996.
No common name	Stenogyne angustifolia var. angustifolia	E	U.S.A. (HI)	44 FR 62468; 10/30/1979.
No common name	Tetramolopium arenarium	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 10305; 3/4/1994.
Pamakani	Tetramolopium capillare	E	U.S.A. (HI)	59 FR 49860; 9/30/1994.
Vetch, Hawaiian	Vicia menziesii	E	U.S.A. (HI)	43 FR 17910; 4/26/1978.
No common name	Viola lanaiensis	E	U.S.A. (HI)	56 FR 47686; 9/20/1991.

III. What Information Do We Consider in the Review?

A 5-year review considers all new information available at the time of the review. In conducting these reviews, we consider the best scientific and commercial data that has become available since the listing determination or most recent status review, 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 that benefit the species;

(D) Threat status and trends (see five factors under heading “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 List, and improved analytical methods.

IV. How Do We Determine Whether a Species is Endangered or Threatened?

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

Under section 4(b)(1) of the Act, we must base our assessment of these factors solely on the best scientific and commercial data available.

V. What Could Happen as a Result of This Review?

For each species under review, if we find new information that indicates a change in classification may be warranted, we may propose a new rule that could do one of the following:

(A) Reclassify the species from threatened to endangered (uplist);

(B) Reclassify the species from endangered to threatened (downlist); or

(C) Remove the species from the List (delist).

If we determine that a change in classification is not warranted, then the species remains on the List under its current status.

VI. Request for New Information

To ensure that a 5-year review is complete and based on the best available scientific and commercial information, we request new information from all sources. See “What Information Do We Consider in Our Review?” for specific criteria. 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.

If you wish to provide information for any species included in these 5-year reviews, please submit your comments and materials to the Field Supervisor of the appropriate Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section).

VII. Public Availability of Comments

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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 ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the offices where the comments are submitted.

VIII. Completed and Active Reviews

A list of all completed and currently active 5-year reviews addressing species for which the Pacific Region of the Service has lead responsibility is available at: http://www.fws.gov/​pacific/​ecoservices/​endangered/​recovery/​5year.html.

IX. 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: March 15, 2010.

David J. Wesley,

Acting Regional Director, Region 1 Fish and Wildlife Service.