[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 165 (Friday, August 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21078]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 26, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding for
a Petition to List the Queen Charlotte Goshawk and Request for
Additional Information
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition finding.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 90-day
finding for a petition to list the Queen Charlotte goshawk (Accipiter
gentilis laingi) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
The Service finds that the petition presents substantial information
indicating the requested action may be warranted. Through issuance of
this notice, the Service is requesting additional information regarding
this subspecies.
DATES: The finding announced in this document was made August 19, 1994.
Comments and materials related to this petition finding may be
submitted until further notice, but they must be received by November
25, 1994 to be considered in the 12-month finding.
ADDRESSES: Data, information, comments or questions concerning the
status of the petitioned subspecies described below should be submitted
to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological
Services, 3000 Vintage Blvd., Suite 201, Juneau, Alaska 99801-7100. The
petition finding, supporting data, and comments are available for
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Lindell, Endangered Species Biologist (see ADDRESSES above) (907/
586-7240).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the Service 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, this finding is to be made within 90 days of the receipt
of the petition, and the finding is to be published promptly in the
Federal Register. If the finding is positive, the Service must promptly
commence a review of the status of the species involved and disclose
its findings within 12 months (12-month finding).
On November 21, 1991, the Service published in the Federal Register
(56 FR 58804) a notice of review for an updated list of animal taxa
that are being considered for possible addition to the List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Among the species included as a
Category 2 candidate species was the northern goshawk (Accipiter
gentilis). By inclusion as a subspecies, the Queen Charlotte goshawk
(Accipiter gentilis laingi) was also designated a Category 2 candidate
species at that time. Through the publication of that notice, the
Service announced the possible vulnerability of the Queen Charlotte
goshawk, initiated a review of subspecies' status, and requested
additional pertinent information.
On May 9, 1994, a petition dated May 2, 1994, was received by the
Service from Mr. Peter Galvin of the Greater Gila Biodiversity Project,
Silver City, New Mexico, and nine copetitioners, including the
Southwest Center for Biological Diversity, the Biodiversity Legal
Foundation, Greater Ecosystem Alliance, Save the West, Save America's
Forests, Native Forest Network, Native Forest Council, Eric Holle, and
Don Muller.
The petitioners request that the Queen Charlotte goshawk be listed
as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1))
because of the following factors:
1. Present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment
of habitat and range because of clearcut logging of mature and old
growth forest;
2. Increased predation because of increased open area habitat
caused by clearcut logging;
3. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms to protect
preferred habitat from clearcut logging.
The Service has reviewed the petition, literature cited in the
petition, and other references available in the Service's files, and
contacted persons knowledgeable about this subspecies. On the basis of
the best scientific and commercial information available, the Service
finds the petition presents substantial information that listing the
Queen Charlotte goshawk may be warranted.
As part of an ongoing status review, the Service will further
evaluate the current status of the Queen Charlotte goshawk and
determine if listing is warranted for either the entire subspecies or
certain distinct population segments of the subspecies.
The Service would appreciate any additional data, comments, and
suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the
scientific community, industry, or any other parties concerning the
status of the Queen Charlotte goshawk.
The following issues are of particular interest to the Service:
1. The genetic, morphologic, and ecological differences, including
variations of intergradation of the Queen Charlotte goshawk within it's
currently described range, and from adjacent goshawk subspecies.
2. The range of geographic distribution of goshawks exhibiting the
described characteristics of the Queen Charlotte goshawk subspecies.
3. Additional historic and current population data which may assist
in determining population trends.
4. The extent and effects of long-term habitat conversion and
fragmentation of mature forest habitat on Queen Charlotte goshawks and
their prey.
References Cited
A complete list of all references cited in the 90-day finding is
available upon request (see Addresses section).
Authors
The primary author of this document is John Lindell, of the
Juneau, Alaska Ecological Services Office. (See Addresses section).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); unless otherwise noted.
Dated: August 19, 1994.
Bruce Blanchard,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-21078 Filed 8-25-94; 8:45 am]
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