Notices. Notice of initiation of a 5-year review; request for information
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BILLING CODE 6350-01-M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 111606B] Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-year Review of the Caribbean Monk Seal AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of initiation of a 5-year review; request for information. SUMMARY: We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce a 5-year review of the Caribbean monk seal ( *Monachus tropicalis* ) under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA)of 1973. The Caribbean monk seal was listed as endangered in 1967 under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 (32 FR 4001) and then again in 1979 following its re-assessment under the ESA (44 FR 21288). A 5-year review is a periodic process conducted to ensure that the listing classification of a species is accurate. A 5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of any such information on the Caribbean monk seal that has become available since its last status review in 1984 (49 FR 44774). Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will make the requisite findings under the ESA. DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive your information no later than January 29, 2007. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time. ADDRESSES: You may submit information by any of the following methods: • Mail: Kyle Baker, National Marine Fisheries Service, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. • E-mail: *kyle.baker@noaa.gov* . Include in the subject line of the e-mail the following identifier: Comments on 5-year review for the Caribbean monk seal. • Fax: 727-824-5309, attention: Kyle Baker. Information received in response to this notice and review will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours, at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle Baker at the above address, or at 727-824-5312. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the ESA, a list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species must be maintained. The list is published at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years. On the basis of such reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether or not any species should be removed from the list (delisted), or reclassified from endangered to threatened, or from threatened to endangered. Delisting a species must be supported by the best scientific and commercial data available, substantiating that the species is neither endangered nor threatened for one or more of the following reasons:
(1)the species is considered extinct;
(2)the species is considered to be recovered; and/or
(3)the original data available when the species was listed, or the interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change in Federal classification would require a separate rulemaking process. The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the **Federal Register** announcing those species currently under active review. This notice announces our active review of the Caribbean monk seal, currently listed as endangered. Public Solicitation of New Information To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new information from the public, concerned governmental agencies, tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other interested parties concerning the status of the Caribbean monk seal. The 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data and all new information that has become available since the listing determination or most recent status review. Categories of requested information include
(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)status and trends of threats; 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. If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may submit your information and materials to Kyle Baker (see ADDRESSES section). Our practice is to make submissions of information, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Respondents may request that we withhold a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name or address, you must state this request prominently at the beginning of your submission. We will not, however, consider anonymous submissions. To the extent consistent with applicable law, we will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Information and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours (see ADDRESSES section). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* Dated: November 22, 2006. Wanda L. Cain, Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-20249 Filed 11-28-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 110706B] Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans; Proposed Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. SUMMARY: We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce the availability for public review of the Proposed Recovery Plan
(Plan)for Southern Resident Killer Whales ( *Orcinus Orca* ). NMFS is requesting review and comment on the Plan from the public and all interested parties. DATES: Written comments and information must be received by February 27, 2007. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Plan may be reviewed and/or copied at NMFS, Protected Resources Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. The Plan is available on-line on the NMFS web site *http://www.nwr.noaa.gov* . Comments should be submitted by mail to Chief, Protected Resources Division, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232 or by sending an e-mail message to *orca.plan@noaa.gov* . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Barre, NOAA/NMFS, Northwest Region,
(206)526-4745. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Endangered Species Act
(ESA)of 1973, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ) requires that NMFS develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of threatened and endangered species under its jurisdiction, unless it is determined that such plans would not result in the conservation of the species. NMFS announced the endangered listing of the Southern Resident killer whale distinct population segment
(DPS)on November 18, 2005 (70 FR 69903). Prior to the ESA listing, NMFS designated the Southern Resident killer whale population as a depleted stock under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ) on May 29, 2003 (68 FR 31980). At the time of the designation, we announced our intention to develop a conservation plan. We held a series of public meetings and technical workshops to gather input from Federal Government agency representatives, state and tribal co-managers, Canadian officials, orca advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations, researchers, whale watch industry, and concerned citizens. We circulated a preliminary draft conservation plan for public review on March 14, 2005. We received comments on the preliminary draft, and made revisions in response to the comments. We subsequently published a Notice of Availability of a Proposed Conservation Plan in the **Federal Register** on October 3, 2005 (70 FR 57565), opening a public comment period. We received comments on the proposed conservation plan and have addressed them in the proposed recovery plan. In addition to addressing the comments, we have incorporated ESA elements into the plan, including discussions of the five ESA listing factors, critical habitat, section 7, and ESA recovery criteria. We also included new research results and references that have become available since the proposed conservation plan was released. The Plan The ESA requires that recovery plans incorporate
(1)objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a determination that the species is no longer threatened or endangered;
(2)site-specific management actions necessary to achieve the plan's goals; and
(3)estimates of time required and costs to implement recovery actions. NMFS' goal is to restore the endangered Southern Resident DPS to the point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems and no longer need the protections of the ESA. The Plan provides background on the natural history of killer whales, population trends and the potential threats to their viability. The Plan lays out a recovery strategy to address the potential threats based on the best available science and includes recovery goals and criteria. The Plan is not a regulatory action, but presents guidance for use by agencies and interested parties to assist in the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales. The Plan identifies substantive actions needed to achieve recovery by addressing the threats to the species. The program also links management actions to an active research program for filling data gaps, and monitoring activities to assess effectiveness. The Plan incorporates an adaptive management framework by which Plan actions and other elements will evolve and adapt to information gained as a result of research and monitoring. Recovery of Southern Resident killer whales is a long-term effort and will require cooperation and coordination of Federal, state, tribal and local government agencies, and the community. We request comments on the Proposed Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales with this notice. NMFS will consider substantive comments and information provided during the public comment period in the course of finalizing this Plan. Dated: November 22, 2006. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06-9454 Filed 11-28-06; 8:45 am]
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- 50 CFR 17.11
- 50 CFR 424.21
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Notices
Notice of initiation of a 5-year review; request for information
Cite50 CFR 17.11
Cite50 CFR 424.21
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