[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-2331] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: February 2, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Status Review for the Lynx AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of status review. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces continuation of a rangewide status review for the lynx (Felis lynx canadensis), a category 2 candidate species. As a result of a court challenge by petitioners, the Service has agreed to complete a rangewide status review. The Service solicits any information, data, comments, and suggestions from the public, other concerned government agencies, the scientific community, industry, or other interested parties concerning the biological status of this species. The Service will complete the status review and publish its finding no later than November 15, 1994. DATES: Comments and data from all interested parties will be accepted until further notice but must be received by July 1, 1994, to be included in the November finding. ADDRESSES: Comments and materials should be sent to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 100 North Park, suite 320, Helena, Montana 59601. Comments received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Mr. Kemper McMaster at the above address (406/449-5322). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On August 22, 1991, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) received a petition from the National Audubon Society, The Humane Society of the United States, Defenders of Wildlife, Greater Ecosystem Alliance, Friends of the Loomis Forest, Methrow Valley Forest Watch, Save Chelan Alliance, Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society, Tonasker Forest Watch, Pilchuck Audubon Society, North Cascades Audubon Society, and Sierra Club Cascade Chapter to list the North American lynx of the North Cascades ecosystem of Washington as an endangered species under the emergency provisions of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and to designate critical habitat. The Service made a 90-day finding on February 4, 1992, that substantial information had not been presented to indicate that listing the lynx in the North Cascades may be warranted. Notice of the finding was published in the Federal Register on October 6, 1992 (57 FR 46007). On August 10, 1992, the petitioners filed suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle challenging the not substantial finding made by the Service. The Service agreed to reevaluate its 90-day finding. On July 1, 1993, the Service found pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(A), that substantial scientific or commercial evidence was not available to indicate that the lynx population in the North Cascades should be listed as endangered. The notice of that finding was published July 9, 1993 (58 FR 36924). The July finding supersedes the February finding. The July notice expressed the Service's belief that a rangewide status review should be conducted. Because of that statement, petitioners and the Service were able to come to an agreement to settle the pending lawsuit based on a commitment to complete the review by November 15, 1994. The Service has been soliciting information on the status of the lynx since the species first appeared on the September 18, 1985, Animal Notice of Review as a category 2 candidate species. The Service acknowledges that evidence exists indicating that an in-depth rangewide status review for the lynx, a category 2 candidate species, should be continued. The Service solicits any information, data, comments, and suggestions from the public, other concerned government agencies, the scientific community, industry, or other interested parties concerning the biological status of this species. The Service will complete the status review and publish its finding no later than November 15, 1994. Authors This notice was prepared by Ms. Anne Vandehey at the Service's Helena Office (see ADDRESSES above) and Dr. James L. Miller, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544). List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. Dated: January 26, 1994. John L. Spinks, Jr., Deputy Regional Director. [FR Doc. 94-2331 Filed 2-1-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M