81_FR_86545 81 FR 86315 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings on Three Petitions

81 FR 86315 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings on Three Petitions

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 230 (November 30, 2016)

Page Range86315-86318
FR Document2016-28513

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90- day findings on three petitions to list or reclassify wildlife or plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that one petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted, and we are not initiating a status review in response to this petition. We refer to this as the ``not- substantial'' petition finding. We also find that two petitions present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this document, we announce that we plan to initiate a review of the status of these species to determine if the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that these status reviews are comprehensive, we are requesting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding these species. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12- month findings on the petitions, which will address whether the petitioned action is warranted, as provided in section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 86315-86318]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28513]



[[Page 86315]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[4500030115]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings on 
Three Petitions

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of petition findings and initiation of status reviews.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90-
day findings on three petitions to list or reclassify wildlife or 
plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). 
Based on our review, we find that one petition does not present 
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the 
petitioned action may be warranted, and we are not initiating a status 
review in response to this petition. We refer to this as the ``not-
substantial'' petition finding. We also find that two petitions present 
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the 
petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of 
this document, we announce that we plan to initiate a review of the 
status of these species to determine if the petitioned actions are 
warranted. To ensure that these status reviews are comprehensive, we 
are requesting scientific and commercial data and other information 
regarding these species. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12-
month findings on the petitions, which will address whether the 
petitioned action is warranted, as provided in section 4(b)(3)(B) of 
the Act.

DATES: When we conduct status reviews, we will consider all information 
that we have received. To ensure that we will have adequate time to 
consider submitted information during the status reviews, we request 
that we receive information no later than January 30, 2017. For 
information submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal (see ADDRESSES, below), this means submitting the information 
electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on that date.

ADDRESSES: Not-substantial petition finding: A summary of the basis for 
the not-substantial petition finding contained in this document is 
available on http://www.regulations.gov under the appropriate docket 
number (see Table 1 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION), or on the 
Service's Web site at http://ecos.fws.gov. Supporting information in 
preparing this finding is available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours by contacting the appropriate 
person, as specified in Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. If you 
have new information concerning the status of, or threats to, this 
species or its habitat, please submit that information to the person 
listed in Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Status reviews: You may submit information on species for which a 
status review is being initiated by one of the following methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter the appropriate docket 
number (see Table 2 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Then, click on 
the Search button. After finding the correct document, you may submit 
information by clicking on ``Comment Now!'' If your information will 
fit in the provided comment box, please use this feature of http://www.regulations.gov, as it is most compatible with our information 
review procedures. If you attach your information as a separate 
document, our preferred file format is Microsoft Word. If you attach 
multiple comments (such as form letters), our preferred format is a 
spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public 
Comments Processing, Attn: [Insert appropriate docket number; see Table 
2 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION]; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: 
BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
    We request that you send information only by the methods described 
above. We will post all information we receive on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any 
personal information you provide us (see Request for Information for 
Status Reviews, below, for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION for specific people to contact for each species.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Not-Substantial Finding

    The not-substantial petition finding contained in this document is 
listed in Table 1 below, and a summary of the basis for the finding, 
along with supporting information, are available on http://www.regulations.gov under the appropriate docket number, or on the 
Service's Web site at http://ecos.fws.gov.

                                        Table 1--Not-Substantial Finding
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      URL to Docket on http://
              Common name                               Docket No.                      www.regulations.gov
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tetraneuris verdiensis (Verde four-     FWS-R2-ES-2016-0132                        http://www.regulations.gov/
 nerve daisy).                                                                      #!docketDetail;D=FWS-R2-ES-
                                                                                    2016-0132.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Substantial Findings

List of Substantial Findings

    The list of substantial findings contained in this document is 
given below in Table 2, and the basis for the findings, along with 
supporting information, are available on http://www.regulations.gov 
under the appropriate docket number, or on the Service's Web site at 
http://ecos.fws.gov.

               Table 2--List of Substantial Findings for Which a Status Review Is Being Initiated
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      URL to Docket on http://
              Common name                               Docket No.                      www.regulations.gov
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leopard...............................  FWS-HQ-ES-2016-0131                        http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FWS-HQ-ES-
                                                                                    2016-0131.
Lesser prairie-chicken................  FWS-R2-ES-2016-0133                        http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FWS-R2-ES-
                                                                                    2016-0133.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 86316]]

Request for Information for Status Reviews

    When we make a finding that a petition presents substantial 
information indicating that listing, reclassification, or delisting a 
species may be warranted, we are required to review the status of the 
species (status review). For the status review to be complete and based 
on the best available scientific and commercial information, we request 
information on these species from governmental agencies, Native 
American Tribes, the scientific community, industry, and any other 
interested parties. We seek information on:
    (1) The species' biology, range, and population trends, including:
    (a) Habitat requirements;
    (b) Genetics and taxonomy;
    (c) Historical and current range, including distribution patterns; 
and
    (d) Historical and current population levels, and current and 
projected trends.
    (2) The five factors that are the basis for making a listing, 
reclassification, or delisting determination for a species under 
section 4(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), including past and 
ongoing conservation measures that could decrease the extent to which 
one or more of the factors affect the species, its habitat, or both. 
The five factors are:
    (a) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of its habitat or range (Factor A);
    (b) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes (Factor B);
    (c) Disease or predation (Factor C);
    (d) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms (Factor D); or
    (e) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued 
existence (Factor E).
    (3) The potential effects of climate change on the species and its 
habitat, and the extent to which it affects the habitat or range of the 
species.
    If, after the status review, we determine that listing is 
warranted, we will propose critical habitat (see definition at section 
3(5)(A) of the Act) for domestic (U.S.) species under section 4 of the 
Act, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable at the time we 
propose to list the species. Therefore, we also request data and 
information (submitted as provided for in ADDRESSES, above) for the 
species listed in Table 2 on:
    (1) What may constitute ``physical or biological features essential 
to the conservation of the species,'' within the geographical range 
occupied by the species;
    (2) Where these features are currently found;
    (3) Whether or not any of these features may require special 
management considerations or protection;
    (4) Specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the 
species that are ``essential for the conservation of the species''; and
    (5) What, if any, critical habitat you think we should propose for 
designation if the species is proposed for listing, and why such 
habitat falls within the definition of ``critical habitat'' at section 
3(5) of the Act.
    Please include sufficient information with your submission (such as 
scientific journal articles or other publications) to allow us to 
verify any scientific or commercial information you include.
    Submissions merely stating support for or opposition to the actions 
under consideration without providing supporting information, although 
noted, will not be considered in making a determination. Section 
4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that determinations as to whether any 
species is an endangered or threatened species must be made ``solely on 
the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available.''
    You may submit your information concerning these status reviews by 
one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. If you submit information via 
http://www.regulations.gov, your entire submission--including any 
personal identifying information--will be posted on the Web site. If 
you submit a hardcopy that includes personal identifying information, 
you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this 
personal identifying information from public review. However, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post all hardcopy 
submissions on http://www.regulations.gov.

Contacts

    Contact information is provided below in Table 3 for both 
substantial and not-substantial findings.

                            Table 3--Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Common name                        Contact person
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leopard...................................  Janine VanNorman, 703-358-
                                             2370;
                                             [email protected].
Lesser prairie-chicken....................  Clay Nichols, 817-471-6357;
                                             [email protected].
Verde four-nerve daisy....................  Shaula Hedwall, 928-556-
                                             2118;
                                             [email protected].
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires that we make a finding on 
whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species presents 
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the 
petitioned action may be warranted. To the maximum extent practicable, 
we are to make this finding within 90 days of our receipt of the 
petition and publish our notice of the finding promptly in the Federal 
Register.
    Our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) establish 
that the standard for substantial scientific or commercial information 
with regard to a 90-day petition finding is ``that amount of 
information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the 
measure proposed in the petition may be warranted'' (50 CFR 424.14(b)). 
If we find that a petition presents substantial scientific or 
commercial information, we are required to promptly commence a review 
of the status of the species, and we will subsequently summarize the 
status review in our 12-month finding.
    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR part 424 set forth the procedures for adding a 
species to, or removing a species from, the Federal Lists of Endangered 
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. A species may be determined to be 
an endangered or threatened species because of one or more of the five 
factors described in section 4(a)(1) of the Act (see Request for 
Information for Status Reviews, above).
    In considering whether conditions described within one or more of 
the factors might constitute threats, we must look beyond the exposure 
of the species to those conditions to evaluate whether the species may 
respond to the conditions in a way that causes actual impacts to the 
species. If there is exposure to a condition and the species responds 
negatively, the condition qualifies as a stressor and, during the 
subsequent status review, we attempt to determine how significant the 
stressor is. If the stressor is sufficiently significant that it 
drives, or contributes to, the risk of extinction of the species such 
that the species may warrant listing as endangered or threatened as 
those terms are defined in the Act, the stressor constitutes a threat 
to the species. Thus, the identification of conditions that could 
affect a species negatively may not be sufficient to compel a finding 
that the information in

[[Page 86317]]

the petition and our files is substantial. The information must include 
evidence sufficient to suggest that these conditions may be operative 
threats that individually or cumulatively act on the species to a 
sufficient degree that the species may meet the definition of an 
endangered or threatened species under the Act.

Evaluation of a Petition To List Tetraneuris verdiensis (Verde Four-
nerve Daisy) as an Endangered or Threatened Species Under the Act

    Additional information regarding our review of this petition can be 
found as an appendix at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. 
FWS-R2-ES-2016-0132 under the Supporting Documents section.

Species and Range

    Tetraneuris verdiensis (Verde four-nerve daisy): Arizona.

Petition History

    On April 21, 2016, we received a petition dated March 11, 2016, 
from the Center for Biological Diversity requesting that Tetraneuris 
verdiensis be listed as endangered or threatened and that critical 
habitat be designated for this species under the Act. The petition 
clearly identified itself as a petition under section 4 of the Act and 
included the identification information for the petitioner as required 
at 50 CFR 424.14(a). We responded to the petitioner on June 29, 2016, 
with an email message acknowledging the receipt of the petition. This 
finding addresses the petition.

Finding

    Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the 
petition, we find that the petition does not present substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the 
Tetraneuris verdiensis may be warranted. Because the petition does not 
present substantial information indicating that listing Tetraneuris 
verdiensis may be warranted, we are not initiating a status review of 
this species in response to this petition. The basis and scientific 
support for this finding can be found as an appendix at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2016-0132 under the 
Supporting Documents section. However, we ask that the public submit to 
us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of, 
or threats to, this species or its habitat at any time (see Table 3, 
above).

Evaluation of a Petition To Reclassify Leopards Currently Listed as 
Threatened Species to Endangered Species Under the Act

    Additional information regarding our review of this petition can be 
found as an appendix at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. 
FWS-HQ-ES-2016-0131 under the Supporting Documents section.

Species and Range

    Leopard (Panthera pardus): Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, 
Kenya, and Uganda.

Petition History

    On July 26, 2016, we received a petition dated July 25, 2016, from 
The Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals, 
requesting that the leopard be reclassified as endangered throughout 
its range under the Act. The petition clearly identified itself as such 
and included the requisite identification information for the 
petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(a). This finding addresses the 
petition.

Finding

    Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the 
petition, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that reclassifying the leopard 
(Panthera pardus) as endangered throughout its range may be warranted, 
based on Factors A, B, D, and E (for a listing of the factors, see (2) 
under Request for Information for Status Reviews, above). However, 
during our status review, we will thoroughly evaluate all potential 
threats to the species, including the extent to which any protections 
or other conservation efforts have reduced those threats. Thus, for 
this species, the Service requests any information relevant to whether 
the species falls within the definition of an endangered species under 
section 3(6) of the Act, including information on the five listing 
factors under section 4(a)(1) and any other factors identified in this 
finding.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Lesser Prairie-Chicken as an 
Endangered Species Under the Act

    Additional information regarding our review of this petition can be 
found as an appendix at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. 
FWS-R2-ES-2016-0133 under the Supporting Documents section.

Species and Range

    Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidus): Colorado, Kansas, 
Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas.

Petition History

    On September 8, 2016, we received a petition dated September 8, 
2016, from WildEarth Guardians, Center for Biological Diversity, and 
Defenders of Wildlife requesting that we list the lesser prairie-
chicken (Tympanuchus pallidus) and three distinct population segments 
as endangered under the Act. The petition additionally requests that 
the sandsage and the shinnery oak prairie population segments be 
emergency listed as endangered under the Act. The petition clearly 
identified itself as such and included the requisite identification 
information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(a). We 
reviewed the information presented in the petition and did not find 
that an emergency listing under section 4(b)(7) of the Act was 
necessary. This finding addresses the petition.

Finding

    Based on our review of the petition and sources cited in the 
petition, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or 
commercial information indicating that listing the lesser prairie-
chicken may be warranted, based on Factors A, D, and E (for a listing 
of the factors, see (2) under Request for Information for Status 
Reviews, above). However, during our status review, we will thoroughly 
evaluate all potential threats to the species, including the extent to 
which any protections or other conservation efforts have reduced those 
threats. Thus, for this species, the Service requests any information 
relevant to whether the species falls within the definition of either 
an endangered species under section 3(6) of the Act or a threatened 
species under section 3(20) of the Act, including information on the 
five listing factors under section 4(a)(1) and any other factors 
identified in this finding.

Conclusion

    On the basis of our evaluation of the information presented in the 
petitions under section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act, we have determined that 
the petition summarized above for Tetraneuris verdiensis (Verde four-
nerve daisy) does not present substantial scientific or commercial 
information indicating that the requested action may be warranted. 
Therefore, we are not initiating a status review for this species.
    The petitions summarized above for the leopard and lesser prairie-
chicken present substantial scientific or commercial information 
indicating that the requested actions may be warranted.
    Because we have found that these petitions present substantial

[[Page 86318]]

information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted, we 
are initiating status reviews to determine whether these actions under 
the Act are warranted. At the conclusion of each status review, we will 
issue a finding, in accordance with section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act, as 
to whether or not the petitioned action is warranted.
    It is important to note that the standard for a 90-day finding 
differs from the Act's standard that applies to a status review to 
determine whether a petitioned action is warranted. In making a 90-day 
finding, we consider only the information in the petition and in our 
files, and we evaluate merely whether that information constitutes 
``substantial information'' indicating that the petitioned action ``may 
be warranted.'' In a 12-month finding, we must complete a thorough 
status review of the species and evaluate the ``best scientific and 
commercial data available'' to determine whether a petitioned action 
``is warranted.'' Because the Act's standards for 90-day and 12-month 
findings are different, a substantial 90-day finding does not mean that 
the 12-month finding will result in a ``warranted'' finding.

References Cited

    A complete list of references cited is available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov and upon request from the appropriate lead 
field offices (contact the appropriate person listed in Table 3, 
above).

Authors

    The primary authors of this notice are staff members of the 
Ecological Services Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Authority

    The authority for these actions is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: November 16, 2016.
Daniel M. Ashe,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-28513 Filed 11-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P



                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                            86315

                                                  DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                                    warranted, as provided in section                     INFORMATION).   Then, click on the Search
                                                                                                                4(b)(3)(B) of the Act.                                button. After finding the correct
                                                  Fish and Wildlife Service                                     DATES: When we conduct status                         document, you may submit information
                                                                                                                reviews, we will consider all                         by clicking on ‘‘Comment Now!’’ If your
                                                  50 CFR Part 17                                                information that we have received. To                 information will fit in the provided
                                                  [4500030115]                                                  ensure that we will have adequate time                comment box, please use this feature of
                                                                                                                to consider submitted information                     http://www.regulations.gov, as it is most
                                                  Endangered and Threatened Wildlife                            during the status reviews, we request                 compatible with our information review
                                                  and Plants; 90-Day Findings on Three                          that we receive information no later                  procedures. If you attach your
                                                  Petitions                                                     than January 30, 2017. For information                information as a separate document, our
                                                                                                                submitted electronically using the                    preferred file format is Microsoft Word.
                                                  AGENCY:   Fish and Wildlife Service,                                                                                If you attach multiple comments (such
                                                                                                                Federal eRulemaking Portal (see
                                                  Interior.                                                                                                           as form letters), our preferred format is
                                                                                                                ADDRESSES, below), this means
                                                  ACTION: Notice of petition findings and                                                                             a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.
                                                                                                                submitting the information
                                                  initiation of status reviews.                                 electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern                     (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail
                                                                                                                Time on that date.                                    or hand-delivery to: Public Comments
                                                  SUMMARY:   We, the U.S. Fish and
                                                                                                                ADDRESSES: Not-substantial petition
                                                                                                                                                                      Processing, Attn: [Insert appropriate
                                                  Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90-
                                                                                                                finding: A summary of the basis for the               docket number; see Table 2 under
                                                  day findings on three petitions to list or
                                                                                                                                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION]; U.S. Fish
                                                  reclassify wildlife or plants under the                       not-substantial petition finding
                                                                                                                contained in this document is available               and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275
                                                  Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
                                                                                                                on http://www.regulations.gov under the               Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041–
                                                  amended (Act). Based on our review, we
                                                                                                                appropriate docket number (see Table 1                3803.
                                                  find that one petition does not present
                                                  substantial scientific or commercial                          under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION), or                     We request that you send information
                                                  information indicating that the                               on the Service’s Web site at http://                  only by the methods described above.
                                                  petitioned action may be warranted, and                       ecos.fws.gov. Supporting information in               We will post all information we receive
                                                  we are not initiating a status review in                      preparing this finding is available for               on http://www.regulations.gov. This
                                                  response to this petition. We refer to                        public inspection, by appointment,                    generally means that we will post any
                                                  this as the ‘‘not-substantial’’ petition                      during normal business hours by                       personal information you provide us
                                                  finding. We also find that two petitions                      contacting the appropriate person, as                 (see Request for Information for Status
                                                  present substantial scientific or                             specified in Table 3 under                            Reviews, below, for more information).
                                                  commercial information indicating that                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. If you                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See
                                                  the petitioned actions may be                                 have new information concerning the                   Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY
                                                  warranted. Therefore, with the                                status of, or threats to, this species or its         INFORMATION for specific people to
                                                  publication of this document, we                              habitat, please submit that information               contact for each species.
                                                  announce that we plan to initiate a                           to the person listed in Table 3 under                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  review of the status of these species to                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
                                                  determine if the petitioned actions are                          Status reviews: You may submit                     Not-Substantial Finding
                                                  warranted. To ensure that these status                        information on species for which a                      The not-substantial petition finding
                                                  reviews are comprehensive, we are                             status review is being initiated by one               contained in this document is listed in
                                                  requesting scientific and commercial                          of the following methods:                             Table 1 below, and a summary of the
                                                  data and other information regarding                             (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal              basis for the finding, along with
                                                  these species. Based on the status                            eRulemaking Portal: http://                           supporting information, are available on
                                                  reviews, we will issue 12-month                               www.regulations.gov. In the Search box,               http://www.regulations.gov under the
                                                  findings on the petitions, which will                         enter the appropriate docket number                   appropriate docket number, or on the
                                                  address whether the petitioned action is                      (see Table 2 under SUPPLEMENTARY                      Service’s Web site at http://ecos.fws.gov.

                                                                                                                 TABLE 1—NOT-SUBSTANTIAL FINDING
                                                           Common name                              Docket No.                                     URL to Docket on http://www.regulations.gov

                                                  Tetraneuris verdiensis                     FWS–R2–ES–2016–0132            http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FWS-R2-ES-2016-0132.
                                                    (Verde four-nerve daisy).



                                                  Substantial Findings                                          below in Table 2, and the basis for the               appropriate docket number, or on the
                                                                                                                findings, along with supporting                       Service’s Web site at http://ecos.fws.gov.
                                                  List of Substantial Findings
                                                                                                                information, are available on http://
                                                    The list of substantial findings                            www.regulations.gov under the
                                                  contained in this document is given
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                         TABLE 2—LIST OF SUBSTANTIAL FINDINGS FOR WHICH A STATUS REVIEW IS BEING INITIATED
                                                           Common name                              Docket No.                                     URL to Docket on http://www.regulations.gov

                                                  Leopard ................................   FWS–HQ–ES–2016–0131            http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FWS-HQ-ES-2016-0131.
                                                  Lesser prairie-chicken ..........          FWS–R2–ES–2016–0133            http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FWS-R2-ES-2016-0133.




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                                                  86316             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                  Request for Information for Status                         (2) Where these features are currently                  If you use a telecommunications
                                                  Reviews                                                 found;                                                   device for the deaf (TDD), please call the
                                                                                                             (3) Whether or not any of these                       Federal Information Relay Service
                                                     When we make a finding that a
                                                                                                          features may require special                             (FIRS) at 800–877–8339.
                                                  petition presents substantial
                                                                                                          management considerations or
                                                  information indicating that listing,                                                                             Background
                                                                                                          protection;
                                                  reclassification, or delisting a species                   (4) Specific areas outside the                           Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires
                                                  may be warranted, we are required to                    geographical area occupied by the                        that we make a finding on whether a
                                                  review the status of the species (status                species that are ‘‘essential for the                     petition to list, delist, or reclassify a
                                                  review). For the status review to be                    conservation of the species’’; and                       species presents substantial scientific or
                                                  complete and based on the best                             (5) What, if any, critical habitat you                commercial information indicating that
                                                  available scientific and commercial                     think we should propose for designation                  the petitioned action may be warranted.
                                                  information, we request information on                  if the species is proposed for listing, and              To the maximum extent practicable, we
                                                  these species from governmental                         why such habitat falls within the                        are to make this finding within 90 days
                                                  agencies, Native American Tribes, the                   definition of ‘‘critical habitat’’ at section            of our receipt of the petition and
                                                  scientific community, industry, and any                 3(5) of the Act.                                         publish our notice of the finding
                                                  other interested parties. We seek                          Please include sufficient information                 promptly in the Federal Register.
                                                  information on:                                         with your submission (such as scientific                    Our regulations in the Code of Federal
                                                     (1) The species’ biology, range, and                 journal articles or other publications) to               Regulations (CFR) establish that the
                                                  population trends, including:                           allow us to verify any scientific or                     standard for substantial scientific or
                                                     (a) Habitat requirements;                            commercial information you include.                      commercial information with regard to
                                                     (b) Genetics and taxonomy;                              Submissions merely stating support                    a 90-day petition finding is ‘‘that
                                                     (c) Historical and current range,                    for or opposition to the actions under                   amount of information that would lead
                                                  including distribution patterns; and                    consideration without providing                          a reasonable person to believe that the
                                                     (d) Historical and current population                supporting information, although noted,                  measure proposed in the petition may
                                                  levels, and current and projected trends.               will not be considered in making a                       be warranted’’ (50 CFR 424.14(b)). If we
                                                     (2) The five factors that are the basis              determination. Section 4(b)(1)(A) of the                 find that a petition presents substantial
                                                  for making a listing, reclassification, or              Act directs that determinations as to                    scientific or commercial information,
                                                  delisting determination for a species                   whether any species is an endangered or                  we are required to promptly commence
                                                  under section 4(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C.                threatened species must be made                          a review of the status of the species, and
                                                  1531 et seq.), including past and                       ‘‘solely on the basis of the best scientific             we will subsequently summarize the
                                                  ongoing conservation measures that                      and commercial data available.’’                         status review in our 12-month finding.
                                                  could decrease the extent to which one                     You may submit your information                          Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533)
                                                  or more of the factors affect the species,              concerning these status reviews by one                   and its implementing regulations at 50
                                                  its habitat, or both. The five factors are:             of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. If                   CFR part 424 set forth the procedures
                                                     (a) The present or threatened                        you submit information via http://                       for adding a species to, or removing a
                                                  destruction, modification, or                           www.regulations.gov, your entire                         species from, the Federal Lists of
                                                  curtailment of its habitat or range                     submission—including any personal                        Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
                                                  (Factor A);                                             identifying information—will be posted                   and Plants. A species may be
                                                     (b) Overutilization for commercial,                  on the Web site. If you submit a                         determined to be an endangered or
                                                  recreational, scientific, or educational                hardcopy that includes personal                          threatened species because of one or
                                                  purposes (Factor B);                                    identifying information, you may                         more of the five factors described in
                                                     (c) Disease or predation (Factor C);                 request at the top of your document that                 section 4(a)(1) of the Act (see Request
                                                     (d) The inadequacy of existing                       we withhold this personal identifying                    for Information for Status Reviews,
                                                  regulatory mechanisms (Factor D); or                    information from public review.                          above).
                                                     (e) Other natural or manmade factors                 However, we cannot guarantee that we                        In considering whether conditions
                                                  affecting its continued existence (Factor               will be able to do so. We will post all                  described within one or more of the
                                                  E).                                                     hardcopy submissions on http://                          factors might constitute threats, we must
                                                     (3) The potential effects of climate                 www.regulations.gov.                                     look beyond the exposure of the species
                                                  change on the species and its habitat,                                                                           to those conditions to evaluate whether
                                                                                                          Contacts                                                 the species may respond to the
                                                  and the extent to which it affects the
                                                  habitat or range of the species.                          Contact information is provided                        conditions in a way that causes actual
                                                     If, after the status review, we                      below in Table 3 for both substantial                    impacts to the species. If there is
                                                  determine that listing is warranted, we                 and not-substantial findings.                            exposure to a condition and the species
                                                  will propose critical habitat (see                                                                               responds negatively, the condition
                                                  definition at section 3(5)(A) of the Act)                            TABLE 3—CONTACTS                            qualifies as a stressor and, during the
                                                  for domestic (U.S.) species under                                                                                subsequent status review, we attempt to
                                                  section 4 of the Act, to the maximum                          Common name                  Contact person        determine how significant the stressor
                                                  extent prudent and determinable at the                  Leopard .....................   Janine VanNorman,
                                                                                                                                                                   is. If the stressor is sufficiently
                                                  time we propose to list the species.                                                      703–358–2370;          significant that it drives, or contributes
                                                  Therefore, we also request data and                                                                              to, the risk of extinction of the species
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                                                                                                                                            Janine_
                                                  information (submitted as provided for                                                    VanNorman@             such that the species may warrant
                                                  in ADDRESSES, above) for the species                                                      fws.gov.               listing as endangered or threatened as
                                                  listed in Table 2 on:                                   Lesser prairie-chicken          Clay Nichols, 817–       those terms are defined in the Act, the
                                                     (1) What may constitute ‘‘physical or                                                  471–6357; clay_        stressor constitutes a threat to the
                                                  biological features essential to the                                                      nichols@fws.gov.       species. Thus, the identification of
                                                  conservation of the species,’’ within the               Verde four-nerve                Shaula Hedwall, 928–     conditions that could affect a species
                                                                                                            daisy.                          556–2118; shaula_
                                                  geographical range occupied by the                                                        hedwall@fws.gov.
                                                                                                                                                                   negatively may not be sufficient to
                                                  species;                                                                                                         compel a finding that the information in


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                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                           86317

                                                  the petition and our files is substantial.              Evaluation of a Petition To Reclassify                Petition History
                                                  The information must include evidence                   Leopards Currently Listed as                             On September 8, 2016, we received a
                                                  sufficient to suggest that these                        Threatened Species to Endangered                      petition dated September 8, 2016, from
                                                  conditions may be operative threats that                Species Under the Act                                 WildEarth Guardians, Center for
                                                  individually or cumulatively act on the                   Additional information regarding our                Biological Diversity, and Defenders of
                                                  species to a sufficient degree that the                 review of this petition can be found as               Wildlife requesting that we list the
                                                  species may meet the definition of an                   an appendix at http://                                lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus
                                                  endangered or threatened species under                  www.regulations.gov under Docket No.                  pallidus) and three distinct population
                                                  the Act.                                                FWS–HQ–ES–2016–0131 under the                         segments as endangered under the Act.
                                                                                                          Supporting Documents section.                         The petition additionally requests that
                                                  Evaluation of a Petition To List
                                                  Tetraneuris verdiensis (Verde Four-                     Species and Range                                     the sandsage and the shinnery oak
                                                  nerve Daisy) as an Endangered or                                                                              prairie population segments be
                                                                                                            Leopard (Panthera pardus):                          emergency listed as endangered under
                                                  Threatened Species Under the Act                        Democratic Republic of the Congo,                     the Act. The petition clearly identified
                                                                                                          Gabon, Kenya, and Uganda.                             itself as such and included the requisite
                                                    Additional information regarding our
                                                  review of this petition can be found as                 Petition History                                      identification information for the
                                                  an appendix at http://                                     On July 26, 2016, we received a                    petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(a).
                                                  www.regulations.gov under Docket No.                    petition dated July 25, 2016, from The                We reviewed the information presented
                                                  FWS–R2–ES–2016–0132 under the                           Humane Society of the United States                   in the petition and did not find that an
                                                  Supporting Documents section.                           and the Fund for Animals, requesting                  emergency listing under section 4(b)(7)
                                                                                                          that the leopard be reclassified as                   of the Act was necessary. This finding
                                                  Species and Range                                                                                             addresses the petition.
                                                                                                          endangered throughout its range under
                                                    Tetraneuris verdiensis (Verde four-                   the Act. The petition clearly identified              Finding
                                                  nerve daisy): Arizona.                                  itself as such and included the requisite
                                                                                                                                                                   Based on our review of the petition
                                                                                                          identification information for the
                                                  Petition History                                                                                              and sources cited in the petition, we
                                                                                                          petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(a).
                                                                                                                                                                find that the petition presents
                                                     On April 21, 2016, we received a                     This finding addresses the petition.
                                                                                                                                                                substantial scientific or commercial
                                                  petition dated March 11, 2016, from the                 Finding                                               information indicating that listing the
                                                  Center for Biological Diversity                            Based on our review of the petition                lesser prairie-chicken may be warranted,
                                                  requesting that Tetraneuris verdiensis be               and sources cited in the petition, we                 based on Factors A, D, and E (for a
                                                  listed as endangered or threatened and                  find that the petition presents                       listing of the factors, see (2) under
                                                  that critical habitat be designated for                 substantial scientific or commercial                  Request for Information for Status
                                                  this species under the Act. The petition                information indicating that reclassifying             Reviews, above). However, during our
                                                  clearly identified itself as a petition                 the leopard (Panthera pardus) as                      status review, we will thoroughly
                                                  under section 4 of the Act and included                 endangered throughout its range may be                evaluate all potential threats to the
                                                  the identification information for the                  warranted, based on Factors A, B, D,                  species, including the extent to which
                                                  petitioner as required at 50 CFR                        and E (for a listing of the factors, see (2)          any protections or other conservation
                                                  424.14(a). We responded to the                          under Request for Information for Status              efforts have reduced those threats. Thus,
                                                  petitioner on June 29, 2016, with an                    Reviews, above). However, during our                  for this species, the Service requests any
                                                  email message acknowledging the                         status review, we will thoroughly                     information relevant to whether the
                                                  receipt of the petition. This finding                   evaluate all potential threats to the                 species falls within the definition of
                                                  addresses the petition.                                 species, including the extent to which                either an endangered species under
                                                                                                          any protections or other conservation                 section 3(6) of the Act or a threatened
                                                  Finding                                                                                                       species under section 3(20) of the Act,
                                                                                                          efforts have reduced those threats. Thus,
                                                                                                          for this species, the Service requests any            including information on the five listing
                                                     Based on our review of the petition                                                                        factors under section 4(a)(1) and any
                                                  and sources cited in the petition, we                   information relevant to whether the
                                                                                                          species falls within the definition of an             other factors identified in this finding.
                                                  find that the petition does not present
                                                  substantial scientific or commercial                    endangered species under section 3(6)                 Conclusion
                                                  information indicating that listing the                 of the Act, including information on the
                                                                                                          five listing factors under section 4(a)(1)              On the basis of our evaluation of the
                                                  Tetraneuris verdiensis may be                                                                                 information presented in the petitions
                                                  warranted. Because the petition does                    and any other factors identified in this
                                                                                                          finding.                                              under section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act, we
                                                  not present substantial information                                                                           have determined that the petition
                                                  indicating that listing Tetraneuris                     Evaluation of a Petition To List the                  summarized above for Tetraneuris
                                                  verdiensis may be warranted, we are not                 Lesser Prairie-Chicken as an                          verdiensis (Verde four-nerve daisy) does
                                                  initiating a status review of this species              Endangered Species Under the Act                      not present substantial scientific or
                                                  in response to this petition. The basis                   Additional information regarding our                commercial information indicating that
                                                  and scientific support for this finding                 review of this petition can be found as               the requested action may be warranted.
                                                  can be found as an appendix at http://                                                                        Therefore, we are not initiating a status
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                                                                                                          an appendix at http://
                                                  www.regulations.gov under Docket No.                    www.regulations.gov under Docket No.                  review for this species.
                                                  FWS–R2–ES–2016–0132 under the                           FWS–R2–ES–2016–0133 under the                           The petitions summarized above for
                                                  Supporting Documents section.                           Supporting Documents section.                         the leopard and lesser prairie-chicken
                                                  However, we ask that the public submit                                                                        present substantial scientific or
                                                  to us any new information that becomes                  Species and Range                                     commercial information indicating that
                                                  available concerning the status of, or                    Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus                 the requested actions may be warranted.
                                                  threats to, this species or its habitat at              pallidus): Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma,                  Because we have found that these
                                                  any time (see Table 3, above).                          New Mexico, Texas.                                    petitions present substantial


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                                                  86318             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                  information indicating that the                         ‘‘substantial information’’ indicating                from the appropriate lead field offices
                                                  petitioned actions may be warranted, we                 that the petitioned action ‘‘may be                   (contact the appropriate person listed in
                                                  are initiating status reviews to                        warranted.’’ In a 12-month finding, we                Table 3, above).
                                                  determine whether these actions under                   must complete a thorough status review                Authors
                                                  the Act are warranted. At the conclusion                of the species and evaluate the ‘‘best
                                                  of each status review, we will issue a                  scientific and commercial data                          The primary authors of this notice are
                                                  finding, in accordance with section                     available’’ to determine whether a                    staff members of the Ecological Services
                                                  4(b)(3)(B) of the Act, as to whether or                 petitioned action ‘‘is warranted.’’                   Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
                                                  not the petitioned action is warranted.                 Because the Act’s standards for 90-day                Authority
                                                     It is important to note that the                     and 12-month findings are different, a
                                                                                                          substantial 90-day finding does not                     The authority for these actions is the
                                                  standard for a 90-day finding differs                                                                         Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
                                                  from the Act’s standard that applies to                 mean that the 12-month finding will
                                                                                                          result in a ‘‘warranted’’ finding.                    amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
                                                  a status review to determine whether a
                                                  petitioned action is warranted. In                                                                              Dated: November 16, 2016.
                                                                                                          References Cited                                      Daniel M. Ashe,
                                                  making a 90-day finding, we consider
                                                  only the information in the petition and                  A complete list of references cited is              Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
                                                  in our files, and we evaluate merely                    available on the Internet at http://                  [FR Doc. 2016–28513 Filed 11–29–16; 8:45 am]
                                                  whether that information constitutes                    www.regulations.gov and upon request                  BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
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Document Created: 2016-11-30 02:18:01
Document Modified: 2016-11-30 02:18:01
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of petition findings and initiation of status reviews.
DatesWhen we conduct status reviews, we will consider all information that we have received. To ensure that we will have adequate time to consider submitted information during the status reviews, we request that we receive information no later than January 30, 2017. For information submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking
ContactSee Table 3 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific people to contact for each species.
FR Citation81 FR 86315 

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