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(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. new information, materials, comments, endangered or threatened under the Act 97.022, ‘‘Flood Insurance.’’) or questions concerning this finding to the following 12 parrot species: Blue- Dated: September 23, 2011. the above street address. headed macaw (Primolius couloni), Sandra K. Knight, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: crimson shining parrot (Prosopeia Deputy Associate Administrator for Janine Van Norman, Chief, Branch of splendens), great green macaw (Ara Mitigation, Department of Homeland Foreign Species, Endangered Species ambiguus), grey-cheeked parakeet Security, Federal Emergency Management Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (Brotogeris pyrrhoptera), hyacinth Agency. 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 420, macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), [FR Doc. 2011–25863 Filed 10–5–11; 8:45 am] Arlington, VA 22203; telephone 703– military macaw (Ara militaris), BILLING CODE 9110–12–P 358–2171. If you use a Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua telecommunications device for the deaf haematuropygia), red-crowned parrot (TDD), call the Federal Information (Amazona viridigenalis), scarlet macaw DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. (Ara macao), white cockatoo (Cacatua SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: alba), yellow-billed parrot (Amazona Fish and Wildlife Service collaria), and yellow-crested cockatoo Background (Cacatua sulphurea). We initiated a 50 CFR Part 17 Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act (16 status review to determine if listing each U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that, for of the 12 species is warranted, and [Docket No. FWS–R9–ES–2011–0082; MO initiated a 60-day public comment 92210–0–0010 B6] any petition to revise the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife period to allow all interested parties an Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants that contains substantial opportunity to provide information on and Plants; Red-Crowned Parrot scientific or commercial information the status of these 12 species of parrots. that listing a species may be warranted, The comment period closed on AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, we make a finding within 12 months of September 14, 2009. Interior. the date of receipt of the petition. In this On October 24, 2009, and December 2, ACTION: Notice of 12-month finding. finding, we determine whether the 2009, the Service received a 60-day petitioned action is: (a) Not warranted, notice of intent to sue from Friends of SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and (b) warranted, or (c) warranted, but Animals and WildEarth Guardians, for Wildlife Service (Service), announce a immediate proposal of a regulation failure to issue 12-month findings on 12-month finding on a petition to list implementing the petitioned action is the petition. On March 2, 2010, Friends the red-crowned parrot (Amazona precluded by other pending proposals to of Animals and WildEarth Guardians viridigenalis) as endangered or determine whether species are filed suit against the Service for failure threatened under the Endangered endangered or threatened, and to make timely 12-month findings Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). expeditious progress is being made to within the statutory deadline of the Act After review of all available scientific add or remove qualified species from on the petition to list the 14 species and commercial information, we find the Federal Lists of Endangered and (Friends of Animals, et al. v. Salazar, that listing the red-crowned parrot as Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Section Case No. 10 CV 00357 D.D.C.). On July endangered or threatened is warranted. 4(b)(3)(C) of the Act requires that we 21, 2010, a settlement agreement was Currently, however, listing the red- treat a petition for which the requested approved by the Court (CV–10–357, D. crowned parrot is precluded by higher action is found to be warranted but D.C.), in which the Service agreed to (in priority actions to amend the Lists of precluded as though resubmitted on the part) submit to the Federal Register by Endangered and Threatened Wildlife date of such finding, that is, requiring a September 30, 2011, a determination and Plants. Upon publication of this 12- subsequent finding to be made within whether the petitioned action is month petition finding, we will add the 12 months. We must publish these 12- warranted, not warranted, or warranted red-crowned parrot to our candidate month findings in the Federal Register. but precluded by other listing actions species list. We will develop a proposed for no less than four of the petitioned rule to list the red-crowned parrot as our Previous Federal Actions species. This Federal Register priorities allow. We will make any On January 31, 2008, the Service document complies with the second determination on critical habitat during received a petition dated January 29, deadline in that court-ordered development of the proposed listing 2008, from Friends of Animals, as settlement agreement. We will rule. During any interim period, we will represented by the Environmental Law announce the 12-month findings for the address the status of the candidate taxon Clinic, University of Denver, Sturm remaining parrot species for which a 90- through our annual Candidate Notice of College of Law, requesting we list 14 day finding was made on July 14, 2009 Review (CNOR). parrot species under the Act. The (74 FR 33957) in subsequent Federal DATES: The finding announced in this petition clearly identified itself as a Register notices. document was made on October 6, 2011. petition and included the requisite Biological Information ADDRESSES: This finding is available on information required by the Service’s the Internet at http:// implementing regulations for the Species Description www.regulations.gov at Docket Number Endangered Species Act (50 CFR The red-crowned parrot belongs to the FWS–R9–ES–2011–0082. Supporting 424.14(a)). On July 14, 2009 (74 FR Amazona genus within the parrot documentation we used in preparing 33957), we published a 90-day finding family Psittacidae. It is a mid-sized this finding is available for public in which we determined that the Amazona species, measuring inspection, by appointment, during petition presented substantial scientific approximately 33 centimeters (cm) (13 normal business hours at the U.S. Fish and commercial information to indicate inches (in)) in length and weighing and Wildlife Service, Branch of Foreign that listing may be warranted for 12 of approximately 316 grams (g) (0.70 Species, Endangered Species Program, the 14 parrot species. In our 90-day pounds) (Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 420, finding on this petition, we announced unpaginated). Average male and female Arlington, VA 22203. Please submit any the initiation of a status review to list as wing length measures approximately

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207.5 millimeters (mm) (8.2 in) and species was present in Tamaulipas, Condolia subdominant. Altered habitats 200.4 mm (7.9 in), respectively. Average eastern San Luis Potosi, and northern are also used. The species is known to tail lengths for males and females Veracruz, and absent in Nuevo Leon and occur in partially cleared and cultivated measure 108.6 mm (4.3 in) and 102.4 central Veracruz (Macias and Enkerlin landscapes with woodlots and mm (4.0 in), respectively (Forshaw 2003, p. 3). The authors estimate the woodland patches (Collar et al. 1992, p. 1989, p. 603). Adults have a bright green current range of the species in Mexico 425), and, in reduced numbers, in overall plumage distinguished by bright to be 32,500 square kilometers (km2) agricultural areas where a few large yellow-green cheek areas, bright red on (12,548 square miles (mi2)), representing trees remain standing for nesting and the crown (top of head) and lores (area a 77 percent decrease from the species’ roosting (Ridgley 1981, p. 351). In the between eye and bill), and a violet-blue estimated original range of 140,000 km2 LRGV, red-crowned parrots occur band extending from behind each eye (54,054 mi2) (p. 14). Most of the species’ primarily in urban (town) areas (Hagne down each side of the crown and neck. current distribution occurs in 2011, pers. comm.). Although little The back of the head and neck is scaled Tamaulipas followed, in order of information on urban habitat use with black-tipped feathers. The flight importance, by Veracruz and San Luis specific to the LRGV is available, in feathers are bluish-black overall, with Potosi (p. 12), and habitat within this cities where the species is introduced it the outer secondary flight feathers also range is fragmented. As a result, the is reported to prefer areas with large bearing a red patch. The tail feathers are species occurs in only small, isolated trees that provide both food and nesting tipped with yellowish green. The bill is populations across its range (Macias and sites (Froke 1981, Hall 1988, in Enkerlin cream-yellow colored, the iris is yellow, Enkerlin 2003, p. 3). In addition to the and Hogan 1997, unpaginated). and the orbital ring and feet are pale results of Macias and Enkerlin’s Movements gray. Juveniles are similar to adults research, recent reports confirm the except that the bright red feathers on the species’ native occurrence in northeast Red-crowned parrots are head are limited to the forehead and Queretaro (p. 12). Within the LRGV, the nonmigratory (Enkerlin and Hogan, lores, and the violet-blue band on the red-crowned parrot occurs in Hildago unpaginated), but are apparently sides of the crown tends to form a broad and Cameron Counties, from Hidalgo, nomadic during the winter (non- band over and behind the eye (Enkerlin Mission, McAllen, and Edinburg east to breeding) season when large flocks and Hogan 1997, unpaginated; Brownsville, Los Fresnos, and Harlingen range widely to forage (Collar et al. Foreshaw 1989, p. 603). (Hagne 2011, pers. comm.; Brush 2011, 1992, p. 426; Clinton-Eitniear 1986, pp. pers. comm.; McKinney 2011, pers. 22–23). Regional movements spanning Range and Distribution comm.). The species also occurs in some up to ‘‘tens of kilometers’’ have been The red-crowned parrot is endemic to towns on the Mexican side of the Rio reported for Tamaulipas, Mexico northeastern Mexico. In addition, Grande (Hagne 2011, pers. comm.), (Aragon-Tapia 1986, in Enkerlin and several introduced populations occur in although specific locations have not Hogan, unpaginated). urban area of the United States, Puerto been reported. Diet and Foraging Rico, and Mexico. Evidence suggests populations in the Lower Rio Grande Habitat The red-crowned parrot usually Valley consist, at least partly, of The red-crowned parrot generally forages in the crowns of trees, but will naturally occurring populations (Walker occurs in tropical lowlands and occasionally feed on low-lying bushes. and Chapman 1992, pp. 38–39; Neck foothills, inhabiting tropical deciduous Foraging appears to be opportunistic. Its 1986, entire; Brush 2005, pp. 97–99; forest, gallery forest, evergreen diet includes a variety of primarily Arvin 1982, p. 872). Thus, in our status floodplain forest, Tamaulipan seeds and fruits, but also buds and review we treat the Lower Rio Grande thornscrub, and semi-open areas. It flowers (Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, Valley populations as native generally occurs between sea level and unpaginaged; Sutton and Pettingill populations. In Mexico, the species’ 500 meters (m) (1,640 feet (ft)) elevation, 1942, p. 14). In a study conducted in distribution is confined to the lowland with most birds found within 200–500 northeast Mexico, red-crowned parrots plains (Atlantic coastal plain) and the m (656–1,640 ft) (Macias and Enkerlin were observed feeding on 9 plant low eastern slopes of the Sierra Madre 2003, p. 10; Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, species (Enkerlin 1995, p. 113). They Oriental (Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. unpaginated). In winter, it sometimes fed most frequently on the seeds of the 4; Collar et al. 1992, p. 423). visits dry pine and pine-oak forests up most abundant trees in the study site: Historically, the species is known from to 1,200 m (3,937 ft) elevation to forage Pithecellobium flexicaule (Texas ebony), central and southern Tamaulipas, (Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. 10; Ficus cotinifolia (strangler fig), and central Nuevo Leon, eastern San Luis Clinton-Eitniear 1986, p. 22; Clinton- Bumelia laetevirens (woolly buckthorn). Potosi, and northern and central Eitniear 1988, p. 28; Martin et al. 1954, They also frequently fed on Myrcianthes Veracruz (Collar et al. 1992, p. 423; p. 46). Enkerlin and Hogan (1997, fragans (Guyabillo) fruit. In Mexico, Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, unpaginated; unpaginated) describe typical habitat as they have also been reported feeding on Forshaw 1989, p. 603; Ridgely 1981, p. being diverse deciduous tropical forest Pinus (pine) seeds (Martin et al. 1954, 351). Howell and Webb (1995, p. 342) with a relatively open, 15–20 m (50–65 p. 46), Ehretia anaqua (anacua) berries also include small portions of eastern ft) high canopy layer, and dominant (Gehlbach 1976, p. 55), Melia azederach Queretaro, Hidalgo, and north-northeast canopy vegetation that includes Ficus (chinaberry) berries, and acorns Puebla as part of the natural range of the cotinifolia (strangler fig), Bumelia (Clinton-Eitniear 1988, p. 28), and have species. laetevirens (coma), Pithecellobium been reported to be pests in corn fields A study to determine the current flexicaule (ebony), Bursera simaruba (Martin 1954, p. 46). Insects have also status of populations throughout the (gumbo-limbo), Phyllostylon brasiliensis been found in crop (a structure in the species’ range in Mexico was conducted (cero´n), Brosimum alicatrum (ojite), and digestive tract where food is stored) during 2002 and 2003. The study found Helietta parvifolia (barreta). Gelhbach et samples taken from chicks (Enkerlin that red-crowned parrots occur at only al. (1976, pp. 54–55) described a and Hogan 1997, unpaginaged). In 19.2 percent of surveyed locations at floodplain forest habitat as evergreen Texas, as in Mexico, Pithecellobium which they were recorded historically forest dominated by Pithecellobium flexicaule is a common food item, as is (Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. 17). The flexicaule with Ehretia, Bumelia, and Ehretia anaqua (Brush 2005, p. 99).

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Red-crowned parrots in Texas have also (Enkerlin 1995, pp. 65, 86). Parents feed to 1990s differ by an order of magnitude been observed eating the seeds and young for at least 10 weeks after the and have been cited as evidence for fruits, and leaves or flower buds, of a young fledge. In northeast Mexico, population declines (Birdlife variety of other species (Brush 2005, p. progression of the young to International (BLI) 2011, unpaginated). 99). independence is assumed to occur Castro (1976, in Enkerlin 1995, p. 117) within 3–4 months, as young are no Reproduction estimated a density of 25.2 birds per 100 longer with adults in November hectares (ha) (247 acres (ac)) during the As with other Amazona species, red- (Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, 1970s; Perez and Eguiarte (1989, in crowned parrots nest in pre-existing tree unpaginated). Enkerlin 1995, p. 117) 11.5 birds per cavities, including those created by Enkerlin (1995, p. 96) shows that, on 100 ha (247 ac) during 1985; Aragon- other birds and those resulting from tree average, a pair of red-crowned parrots Tapia (1986, in Enkerlin 1995, p. 117) decay. They will also use artificial within the species’ native range in 4.72 birds per 100 ha (247 ac) in 1986; cavities (Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, Mexico produced 3.4 eggs but fledged and Enkerlin (1995, p. 117) 5.7 birds per unpaginated). They’ve been reported only 1.43 young, indicating that only 43 100 ha (247 ac) during the period 1992– nesting in a variety of tree species, percent of eggs resulted in fledged 1994. These estimates, however, were including Taxodium mucronatum young. As with most other parrots, there made using different methodologies (Montezuma cypress), Bumelia is a low proportion of breeding adults in (Ekerlin 1995, p. 117) and therefore may laetivirens, and Brosinum alicastrum red-crowned parrot populations and reflect differences in methods used by (breadnut) (Gelhbach 1987, Perez and reproductive success is low, indicating different researchers rather than Equiarte 1989, in Collar et al. 1992, p. that populations do not have the differences in abundance. Enkerlin 426), as well as Pithecellobium capacity to recover quickly from (1995, p. 124) also suggests some of the flexicaule, Ficus cotinifolia, Bumelia pressures to which they are subjected variation in density estimates may be laetevirens, Helietta parvifolia, Bursera (Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. 16). due to differences in the abilities of simaruba, and others (Enkerlin 1995, p. In a study conducted by Enkerlin different researchers to distinguish red- 35). In a study in Tamaulipas within a (1995, pp. 89–93) the main causes of egg crowned from red-lored parrots habitat mosaic of forest, windbreaks, and chick mortality were nest (Amazona autumnalis) in the field. wooded pastures, and open pastures, abandonment due to unknown causes, the availability of suitable cavities for brood reduction, and predation. Most Partners in Flight (PIF), an nesting did not appear to be limited, as nest failure occurred during the early international coalition of Federal and parrots used only a small fraction of nestling period, and snakes, especially State agencies and non-government available cavities classified as suitable indigo snakes (Drymarchon corais), groups, uses a peer-reviewed process to for nest sites (Enkerlin 1995, pp. 43–44, were a major source of predation. Other assess the status of bird species (Rich et 54). Trees in which red-crowned parrot predators included hawks (Buteo sp.), al. 2004, entire; Panjabi et al. 2005, nests occurred ranged from 39–229 cm which were observed preying on entire). They base these assessments on (15–90 in) diameter at breast height, and juveniles, and coati (Nasua nasua) and ‘‘wild’’ populations of the species, nest cavities were located 380–1,350 cm skunk (Spilogale putorius), which were which do not include populations (150–531 in) above the ground (Enkerlin documented preying on incubating known to be introduced (Panjabi 2011, 1995, p. 36). Results of the same study females (Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, pers. comm.). Their assessment of the show that red-crowned parrots appeared unpaginated). status of red-crowned parrot includes to preferentially select nests in open and populations within the species’ Abundance wooded pastures rather than in heavily historical range in Mexico and in the forested areas, but the effect of possible Historical numbers of red-crowned LRGV. PIF assessed the status of the sample bias due to lower detectability of parrots are believed to have exceeded global red-crowned parrot population, nests in forests could not be ruled out 100,000 (Enkerlin 1998, p. 8). Records as well as the portion of the global (Enkerlin 1995, pp. 43–44). up through the 1950s indicate the population occurring within a defined Nests of red-crowned parrots appear species was clearly relatively common ‘‘Bird Conservation Region.’’ Bird to be clumped because the nearest in appropriate habitat from central Conservation Regions (BCRs) are neighbor (the nest closest to the nest in Tamaulipas south to eastern San Luis ‘‘ecologically distinct regions in North question) tends to be a nest of the same Potosi and northern Veracruz, even America with similar bird communities, species (Enkerlin 1995, p. 42). Fidelity being described in some areas as a habitats, and resource management to specific nest sites is lower than in ‘‘pest’’ species (Collar et al. 1992, p. issues’’ (North American Bird other Amazona (Enkerlin 1995, p. 75), 424). By the 1970s, Ridgely (1981, p. Conservation Initiative (NABCI) although individuals show attachment 351) noted that, although locally undated, unpaginated). The BCR in to a general area when selecting nests common, the consensus among long- which red-crowned parrots were (Enkerlin 1995, p. 66). Nests in which term observers was that there had been assessed is the Tamaulipan Brushlands greater than one young fledge have a a large overall decline in the species’ BCR. This BCR comprises the plain that greater likelihood of being reused numbers over the previous several extends from southern Texas into (Enkerlin 1995, p. 69). decades, and that much of its range had northeastern Mexico (NABCI 2000, p. Nesting by red-crowned parrots been, or was being, modified for 22). It includes the LRGV and northern occurs from March to August (Enkerlin agricultural use. Ridgely (1981, p. 351) portions of the Mexican states of and Hogan 1997, unpaginated). Second also reported that, where formerly Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, and Coahuila. clutches are not known to occur, hundreds could be seen, it was now PIF estimates the global population of although evidence (i.e., late season only seen in scattered pairs or, at most, red-crowned parrots to be fewer than clutches) suggests it may occur small flocks. The Mexico population in 5,000 individuals and the recent irregularly (Enkerlin 1995, p. 104). 1994 was estimated to be 3,000–6,500 population trend as having decreased Clutch size ranges from 2 to 5 (average birds (UNEP–WCMC 2002, in Macias greater than or equal to 50 percent over = 3.4) eggs, and eggs hatch after an and Enkerlin 2003, p. 15). 30 years (Berlanga et al. 2010, pp. 38– average of 27 days, with young fledging Density estimates of red-crowned 39; PIF 2007, unpaginated; PIF 2005a, an average of 53 days after hatching parrots in Tamaulipas during the 1970s unpaginated). They estimate that

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individuals within the Tamaulipan factors, and evaluate whether the rate of net forest loss in Mexico is Brushlands BCR comprise 43 percent of species responds to those potential 155,000 ha (383,013 ac) per year, with the global population, and categorize threats in a way that causes actual an estimated 250,000–300,000 ha the population trend as being highly impact to the species. The identification (617,763–741,316 ac) per year degraded variable or having an unknown change of threats that might impact a species (Government of Mexico (GOM) 2010b, over 30 years, which they qualitatively negatively may not be sufficient to in Blaser et al. 2011, p. 344; FAO 2010, define as an uncertain population trend compel a finding that the species p. 233). Tamaulipas, the state with (PIF 2005b, unpaginated). Numbers and warrants listing. The information must which the largest number of locations trend of the species within the Texas include evidence indicating that the with recent records of the red-crowned portion of this BCR are largely threats are operative and, either singly parrot (Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. unknown, and speculative (Hagne 2011, or in aggregation, affect the status of the 12), experienced a net loss of 0.1 to 0.3 pers. comm.; Brush 2011, pers. comm.; species. Threats are significant if they percent of its forest area per year McKinney 2011, pers. comm.), although drive, or contribute to, the risk of between 2003 and 2007. The other states an earlier PIF assessment (Rich et al. extinction of the species, such that the in which the species primarily currently 2004, p. 70) estimated that species warrants listing as endangered occurs, Veracruz and San Luis Potosi, approximately 50 percent of the or threatened, as those terms are defined experienced a net loss of greater than rangewide population (not including in the Act. 0.6 percent, and a net gain of 0.1 to 0.3 percent of its forest area, respectively, introduced populations (Panjabi 2011, Factor A: Present or Threatened during this period (Masek et al. 2011, pers. comm.)) occurred in the United Destruction, Modification, or pp. 9–10). Currently, Mexico has 64.8 States. Curtailment of Habitat or Range million ha (160.1 million ac) of forest Conservation Status Habitat destruction and modification (FAO 2010, p. 228) and 50 percent of Red-crowned parrots are listed as is one of the main threats to the red- these forests are considered degraded endangered in Mexico (GOM 2002, p. crowned parrot (Macias and Enkerlin (Masek et al. 2011, p. 9). By 2030, forest 22), and are listed in Appendix I of the 2003, p. 4). As a result of extensive area in Mexico is projected to decrease, Convention on International Trade in deforestation, red-crowned parrot with anywhere from just under 10 Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and habitat has changed substantially since percent to nearly 60 percent of mature Flora (CITES; see Factor D). The species the early 1970s (Macias and Enkerlin forests lost, and approximately 0 to 54 is classified by the IUCN as endangered 2003, p. 14). Over 80 percent of the percent of regrowth forests lost (BLI 2008, unpaginated), and by the species’ lowland habitat in Tamaulipas, (Commission for Environmental Service (2008, pp. 52, 66) as a Species Mexico, has been lost (CITES 1997, p. 2; Cooperation (CEC) 2010, pp. 45, 75). of Concern. PIF has placed the species Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. 14), and Deforestation and forest degradation on its Watch List for Land Birds, and Rios (2002, in Macias & Enkerlin 2003, occur in all forest types in Mexico has classified it as a species of High Tri- p. 14) estimates the species has lost 31 (GOM 2010, p. 22). Their main drivers national Concern (Rich et al. 2004, p. percent of its rangewide habitat. The are conversion of forest to pasture, slash 17; Berlanga et al. 2010, pp. 38–39). habitat that remains is fragmented, and burn agriculture, and uncontrolled occurring only in isolated patches in logging (overexploitation and illegal Summary of Information Pertaining to different parts of the species’ range logging) (GOM 2010, pp. 22–24). Factors the Five Factors (Macias & Enkerlin 2003, p. 3). Further, that put lands at greatest risk are Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) according to PIF, extreme deterioration favorable topographic conditions, road and its implementing regulations (50 in the future suitability of conditions in access, and proximity to human CFR part 424) set forth procedures for the species’ breeding and nonbreeding settlements (Munoz et al. 2003, in GOM adding species to the Federal Lists of ranges is expected (Berlanga et al. 2010, 2010, p. 23). pp. 38–39). Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Agriculture (Livestock and Crop and Plants. Under section 4(a)(1) of the Mexico Production) Act, a species may be determined to be Mexico has suffered extensive endangered or threatened based on any Within Mexico, red-crowned parrot deforestation (conversion of forest to of the following five factors: habitat is threatened primarily by (A) The present or threatened other land uses) and forest degradation conversion of forests to cultivated land destruction, modification, or (reduction in forest biomass through and expansion of livestock grazing areas curtailment of its habitat or range; selective cutting, etc.) over the past without attempting to preserve patches (B) Overutilization for commercial, several decades. In more recent decades, of native trees and vegetation (Berlanga recreational, scientific, or educational Mexico’s deforestation has been rapid et al. 2010, pp. 38–39; Enkerlin and purposes; (Blaser et al. 2011, pp. 343–344). For Hogan 1997, unpaginated; Enkerlin (C) Disease or predation; example, between 1990 and 2000, 2000, in Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. (D) The inadequacy of existing Mexico lost forest at a net rate (which 18). The lowland area in which the large regulatory mechanisms; or factors in natural regeneration of majority of the red-crowned parrot’s (E) Other natural or manmade factors degraded forest and planting of forest in range occurs is within the Gulf of affecting its continued existence. areas that previously did not have Mexico coastal plain, one of the most In making this finding, information forest) of 344,000 ha (850,043 ac) per productive regions of intensive pertaining to the red-crowned parrot in year (Food and Agriculture Organization agricultural use in Mexico, especially relation to the five factors provided in (FAO) 2010, p. 21). During 1990–2010, for cattle grazing (Va´zquez & Arago´n- section 4(a)(1) of the Act is discussed Mexico lost approximately 6 million ha Tapia 1993, in Enkerlin 1998, p. 79; below. (approximately 15 million ac) of forest, GOM 2010, p. 22). In contrast to In considering whether a species may and had one of the largest decreases in agriculture in many other parts of the warrant listing under any of the five primary forests worldwide (FAO 2010, country, many of the crop-producing factors, we look beyond the species’ pp. 56, 233). Although Mexico’s rate of farms in northern Mexico are large and exposure to a potential threat or forest loss has slowed in the past mechanized. Consequently, large areas aggregation of threats under any of the decade, it still continues. The current are cleared of forest and converted to

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agricultural lands for production of cash Deforestation via forest conversion to contribute to shortages of red-crowned crops such as sorghum (Rochin 1985, agriculture uses remains a major driver parrot food resources due to the death entire). Pastures differ in the amount of of land transformation in Mexico (CEC of damaged trees or lower tree vegetation cleared, ranging from being 2008, p. 24). Agricultural production is recruitment due to damaged soils. completely cleared to being selectively projected to double within the country Indirectly, logging affects red- cleared of only understory vegetation by 2030, with little variation in crowned parrot populations because (Enkerlin 1995, p. 20). Consequently, projections under different future logging roads increase access of forested the density of large trees that still scenarios (CEC 2010, pp. 34, 70). areas to humans. An increase in access remain in pastures varies between farms Although some of this increase in to forested areas also increases access to and between pastures within a ranch. production is expected to be due to an the species within those forests. As a However, few ranchers manage the land increase in productivity on previously result, logging operations multiply the for maintenance of tree density or converted land, total agricultural land harvest of animals from tropical forests regeneration, resulting in a continuing area in Mexico is projected to increase (Putz et al. 2000, pp. 16, 23). Thus, decline of tree density within treed by 6,300 to 41,400 ha (15,568 to 102,302 logging is an indirect threat to red- pastures (Enkerlin 1995, pp. 20–21; ac) by 2030 (CEC 2010, p. 75). crowned parrots because it increases the Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, unpaginated). vulnerability of the species to illegal As with most parrots, the red- Logging poaching, one of the leading threats to crowned parrot requires trees for Only 5 percent of Mexico’s forested the species (see Factor B discussion). nesting, feeding, and roosting. area is designated as production forest Logging also threatens the species Deforestation via conversion of land to (FOA 2010, p. 244), although casual because increased access to forests is agricultural use is a threat to red- unsustainable tree removal by also often followed by full deforestation crowned parrots because it directly communities in the vicinity of forests as lands are cleared for agricultural use eliminates forest habitat, removing the also occurs, for example for firewood or (Kaimowitz and Angelsen 1998, in Putz trees that support the species’ nesting, charcoal production, or for timber for et al. 2000, p. 16) (see Agriculture roosting, and dietary requirements. It local use, rather than for large-scale (Livestock and Crop Production) above). also results in fragmented habitat that trade (GOM 2010, p. 32). Almost all While logging, if conducted according isolates red-crowned parrot populations domestic timber production is currently to a well-designed forest management (U.S. Agency for International supplied by low-management natural plan, can potentially protect ecosystem Development (USAID) 2009, p. 48; forests (Comisio´n Nacional Forestal services and biodiversity, the Macias and Enkerlin 2003, pp. 3–4), 2008, in USAID 2009, p. 50). compatibility of logging with potentially compromising the genetics Commercial harvesting is mainly biodiversity conservation is complicated of these populations through inbreeding conducted via shelterwood (temporary (Putz et al. 2000, pp. 11, 7). Logging in depression and genetic drift. Forest maintenance of some canopy trees, to tropical forests is carried out over a degradation as a result of incomplete protect understory growing trees, until wide range of intensities, using a variety clearing, such as for grazing land, is also an even-aged stand is produced) or of techniques which may be applied a threat to red-crowned parrots because partial cutting of up to 40 percent of carefully or in ways that result in in the absence of management for standing volume (Masek et al. 2011, p. extensive collateral damage (Putz et al. maintenance of tree density or 4). These, and other, logging practices 2000, p. 7). In Mexico, most (53 percent regeneration, it eventually leads to full reduce the number of large trees in to 80 percent (Perron 2010, p. 5)) natural deforestation (GOM 2010, p. 32). With harvested areas (Putz et al. 2000, p. 40), forests are owned and managed by respect to the few ranches and farms and alter forest structure and approximately 8,500 different that maintain large trees, although red- composition by the selective extraction communities (Blaser et al. 2011, p. 345). crowned parrots are known to use of certain tree species (CEC 2008, p. 24). Use and management on community- partially cleared and cultivated A reduced number of large trees may owned property varies (Bray et al. 2005, landscapes (Collar et al. 1992, p. 425), reduce the availability of suitable nest in Masek pp. 14–15), and although some they are only able to do so if the sites for the red-crowned parrot, and good examples of successful community landscape maintains enough large trees smaller trees may not possess cavities forest management exist, most to support the species’ nesting, feeding, large enough for the species to nest in. communities lack forest management and roosting requirements. A reduced Altering the composition of tree species, plans (Sarukhan and Merino 2007, p. 1) number of trees will reduce the or reducing the size or number of trees and the organization and funding to availability of adequate nest sites and (or both), may reduce the availability of implement sustainable forest food resources across the landscape, food for the species. Thus, forests management practices (Blaser et al. resulting in a reduction in the number degraded by logging may result in a 2011, p. 351; GOM 2010, p. 24). Further, of red-crowned parrots the landscape reduction in the number of individuals illegal logging, which is conducted can support and, thus, a reduction in of the species the forest can support and without consideration for minimizing the red-crowned parrot population. therefore a further reduction in the impacts on ecosystems or species, is The indirect effects of deforestation population. Logging can also cause widespread in Mexico, accounting for and forest degradation due to widespread collateral damage in the approximately 8 percent of the country’s conversion of land to agricultural use remaining forest (Putz et al. 2000, pp. 7– deforestation (USAID Center for also pose a threat to red-crowned 8). In addition to the direct removal of International Forestry Research (CIFOR) parrots. Clearing of land for agriculture trees that could potentially support 2010, p. 12; USAID 2009, pp. 56–57). use provides easier access by humans to nesting or dietary requirements of According to future scenarios the forests and trees the species uses, parrots, an additional 5 to 50 percent of evaluated by CEC (2010, p. 36), Mexico and thus increases the vulnerability of both soil and remaining trees are is projected to see a 5–10 percent the species to illegal poaching, one of damaged by logging in tropical forests decline in production of selected wood the leading threats to the species (Putz et al. 2000, p. 8), contributing to products by 2030, reflecting a greater (Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, unpaginated) the total amount of forest degraded by emphasis on agricultural production. (see Factor B discussion) along with human activities. The additional Although commercial wood production habitat destruction and modification. degradation could potentially further may decrease, we are not aware of any

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information indicating that illegal and ranching, the primary causes of company can differentiate their logging or casual unsustainable removal deforestation in Mexico (Munoz et al. products and potentially acquire a larger of trees by communities, or the indirect 2008, pp. 725–726; Corbera et al. 2011, share of the market (Duery and Vlosky effects of these activities, will decrease. p. 54). Research on Mexico’s PES 2005, p. 12). To be certified companies programs has shown mixed results in must follow standards set by the Forest Texas relation to their impact on deforestation; Stewardship Council (FSC). Within the past few decades, the while early analyses showed Certification companies not only certify LRGV has experienced rapid human inconclusive results, recent work forests, but also forest products that population growth and subsequent indicates a positive but not substantive come from well-managed forests, and rapid urbanization. In the two Texas reduction in net deforestation rates may also provide a means to track logs counties in which the red-crowned (Corbera et al. 2011, p. 17). and remove illegally logged trees from parrot occurs, the human population the market (Duery and Vlosky 2005, pp. Reduced Emissions From Deforestation increased by 36.1 percent (Hidalgo 13–14; Kometter et al. 2004, p. 9). As of and Forest Degradation (REDD) County) and 21.2 percent (Cameron February 2011, approximately 614,000 County) between 2000 and 2010 (US A related, new mechanism is ha (1,517,227 ac) (9 percent) of Mexico’s Census Bureau 2011, unpaginated), and emerging that may raise funds to protect forest were certified, mostly outside the each county’s population is projected to forests from deforestation as well as tropics (Blaser et al. 2011, p. 348). Only increase by about 50 percent between mitigate climate change. This about 32,600 ha (79,074 ac) of tropical 2010 and 2040 (Texas State Data Center mechanism is known as ‘‘reduced forest were certified, most of which was 2008, unpaginated). In a study emissions from deforestation and forest planted forest (Blaser et al. 2011, investigating land cover and land use degradation’’ (REDD). As forests are p. 348). destroyed for agriculture, logging, and change in the region using analysis of Protected Areas satellite imagery, Huang et al. (2011, other uses, the carbon stored in the trees unpaginated) found that between 1993 is released as carbon dioxide, which Conservation strategies in Mexico rely and 2003, urbanization increased by adds to the concentration of greenhouse heavily on natural protected areas, and 59.7 percent in Hidalgo County and 58.2 gases; 20 percent of global greenhouse Biosphere Reserves comprise most of percent in Cameron County. Red- gas emissions are thought to be from the designated protected area in the crowned parrots are known to colonize deforestation (Chatterjee 2009, p. 557). country (Figueroa and Sanchez 2008, urban areas, as evidenced by their Lawmakers and businesspeople around pp. 3324, 3234). The red-crowned parrot establishment as introduced the world are beginning to consider is protected in or near two biosphere populations in several urban areas of the investing in REDD programs as a way to reserves: the Reserva de la Biosfera El United States and Mexico. Although mitigate climate change. Under this type Cielo, in Tamaulipas; and the Reserva red-crowned parrots occur in urban of program, developing countries would de la Biosfera Sierra Gorda, in Quere´taro habitats within the LRGV, suggesting be paid to protect their forests and (Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. 22). their population in the LRGV may reduce emissions associated with However, the best conserved portions of increase with future increases in deforestation. Funds would come from habitat in these two reserves are at urbanization, it is also possible that foundations, governments, or financial elevations greater than 500 m (1,640 ft), continued population growth could agencies such as World Bank; industries while the red-crowned parrot occurs result in current urban areas becoming in developed countries would receive primarily below 500 m (1,640 ft) (see more densely developed with more credits for saving trees in developing Habitat). Further, in a study of the infrastructure and fewer trees, reducing countries (Chatterjee 2009, p. 557). If effectiveness of Mexico’s protected areas the availability of red-crowned parrot REDD projects are able to generate for preventing land use and land cover nest sites and food resources. Although revenue comparable to those of change, Figueroa and Sanchez (2008, activities such as logging and entire) found that Sierra Gorda red-crowned parrot populations may be agriculture, and revenues are distributed Biosphere Reserve was ineffective (as influenced by future growth in the equally among stakeholders, this would opposed to effective or weakly- LRGV, we found no information give standing forests value and an effective). They did not evaluate El indicating whether future growth may incentive for forest conservation (Hajek Cielo Biosphere Reserve, but they found positively or negatively affect the red- et al. 2011, in press). Mexico has been that, overall, approximately 54 percent crowned parrot population in the very active in REDD discussions under of protected areas, including 65 percent region. Further, we found no the United Nations Framework of Biosphere Reserves, were effective. information specifically regarding any Convention on Climate Change, is other threats to red-crowned parrot Summary of Factor A developing a national REDD strategy, habitat in the region. and is working on the design and Forest loss and degradation due to the Conservation Measures implementation of regional and local conversion of forest to grazing and farm pilot projects (USAID CIFOR 2010, p. land have caused extensive red-crowned Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) 34; Corbera et al. 2011, p. 316). parrot habitat loss in the past. These Mexico has initiated several PES However, we do not yet know how activities are still occurring within the programs that provide financial successful Mexico’s REDD strategy or range of the species and the fact that (1) incentives to rural communities and projects will be. these activities are projected to increase private landowners for the design and in Mexico, and (2) the Gulf of Mexico implementation of carbon sequestration, Forest Certification coastal plain, in which a large portion biodiversity conservation, agroforestry, Another program being implemented of the red-crowned parrot’s historical and watershed protection projects. is certification of forests. The basis for range occurs, is one of the most These programs were designed to pay certification is for consumers to be productive regions of agricultural use in participating forest owners for the assured by a neutral third-party that Mexico, indicates these activities will benefits of these environmental services forest companies are employing sound continue within the species’ range into where commercial forestry cannot practices that will ensure sustainable the foreseeable future. It is unlikely that compete, economically, with agriculture forest management. By being certified, a the direct effects of logging are threat to

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the species, as red-crowned parrots are terms of populations, capturing Management Authorities of each CITES known to use degraded habitats. individuals for trade essentially mimics Party (CITES 2010, unpaginated). In However, the indirect effects of logging, mortality in that it removes individuals 1981, the red-crowned parrot was listed including increased human access to from the wild population. Parrots, in in Appendix II of CITES, which forests, which increases the general, have long lifespans and low includes species not necessarily vulnerability of the species to poaching, reproductive rates. Consequently, they threatened with extinction, but in which and often leads to conversion of newly are particularly sensitive to increased trade must be controlled in order to accessible forest to agriculture, appear mortality because their populations are avoid utilization incompatible with to be a threat to the species. Although slow to recover from it (Lee 2010, p. 3; their survival (CITES 2010, commercial logging is projected to Thiollay 2005, p. 1121; Wright et al. unpaginated; CITES 2011, unpaginated). decrease within Mexico, it is projected 2001, p. 711); removal of individuals In June of 1997, the species was to continue albeit at a lower level. Also, year after year can stop population proposed for transfer from Appendix II illegal logging is widespread in Mexico, growth and cause local extirpations to Appendix I based on extensive illegal and we are not aware of any information (Cantu et al. 2007, p. 14). trade in the species and habitat loss. It indicating that the extent of illegal Mexico’s proximity to the United was placed in Appendix I in September logging will be reduced in the future. States, the largest pet market in the of 1997. An Appendix-I listing includes Further, because many people within world, resulted in extensive legal and species threatened with extinction Mexico rely on forests for their illegal export of several Amazona whose trade is permitted only under livelihoods, and because sustainable species to the United States during the exceptional circumstances, which practices are not used, it is likely that 1960s to 1990s. Between 1970 and 1982, generally precludes commercial trade. casual, unsustainable removal of trees 16,490 red-crowned parrots, mostly The import of an Appendix-I species by communities for purposes such as nestlings, were legally exported from requires the issuance of both an import firewood and local timber use will also Mexico to the United States. A similar and export permit. Import permits for continue to degrade and ultimately number is estimated to have been Appendix-I species are issued only if deforest red-crowned parrot habitat in illegally exported during this period, findings are made that the import would the future. with pre-export mortality estimated at be for purposes that are not detrimental Habitat conservation measures within greater than 50 percent. Combining legal to the survival of the species in the wild Mexico do not appear to be sufficient to and illegal trade, and their associated and would not be for primarily stem future red-crowned parrot habitat mortality, the approximate minimum commercial purposes (CITES Article losses. Programs for the payment of level of harvest during this time was III(3)). Export permits for Appendix-I ecosystem services have yet to show estimated to be 5,000 individuals per species are issued only if findings are substantive reductions in deforestation year (Inigo and Ramos 1991, in Enkerlin made that the specimen was legally rates; only 9 percent of forests are and Hogan 1997, unpaginated; Enkerlin acquired and trade is not detrimental to certified as employing sustainable and Packard 1993, in Macias and the survival of the species in the wild, practices, most outside the tropics. The Enkerlin 2003, p. 20). Population and if the issuing authority is satisfied best habitat within the two Biosphere declines were first noted for the species that an import permit has been granted Reserves occupied by red-crowned during this period (see Abundance). for the specimen (CITES Article III(2)). parrots is above the elevation at which Based on CITES trade data obtained Legal Trade the species usually occurs. Further, at from United Nations Environment least one of these two Biosphere Imports of red-crowned parrots into Programme—World Conservation Reserves is ineffective with respect to the United States were restricted by Monitoring Center (UNEP–WCMC) prevention of land-use change within its passage of the Wild Bird Conservation CITES Trade Database, from the time the boundaries. Act (WBCA; 16 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.) in red-crowned parrot was placed in CITES Currently the population of red- 1992, and international trade in general Appendix I in 1997 through 2009, 1,297 crowned parrots is extremely small (less was restricted by the listing of the specimens of this species were reported than 5,000 individuals) and fragmented, species in Appendix II of CITES in 1981 in international trade. These included and a large portion (approximately half) and, in 1997, its transfer to the more 297 live birds, 5 bodies, 6 eggs, 7 of the population occurs within the restrictive Appendix I. The WBCA feathers, 1 skin, and 981 generically species’ historical range in Mexico. banned the import into the United labeled ‘‘specimens,’’ with the latter Activities causing or leading to States of specimens of most CITES- category typically referring to parts or deforestation in Mexico are likely to listed bird species, including restricting pieces of an animal—for example, blood continue to result in red-crowned parrot U.S. imports of red-crowned parrots (see samples collected for laboratory habitat loss within the country. Factor D discussion). CITES, an analysis—rather than whole birds. In Therefore, based on the best available international agreement between analyzing these reported data, several scientific and commercial data governments, ensures that the records appear to be overcounts due to available, we find that the present and international trade of CITES-listed plant slight differences in the manner in threatened destruction, modification, or and animal species does not threaten which the importing and exporting curtailment of the red-crowned parrot’s those species’ survival in the wild. countries reported their trade, and it is habitat is a threat to the species. There are currently 175 CITES Parties likely that the actual numbers of (member countries or signatories to the specimens of red-crowned parrots Factor B: Overutilization for Convention). Under this treaty, CITES reported to UNEP–WCMC in Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or Parties regulate the import, export, and international trade from the time the Educational Purposes re-export of specimens, parts, and species was placed in CITES Appendix Parrots have been traded products of CITES-listed plants and I in 1997 through 2009 was 1,218, commercially in Mexico for centuries animal species (see Factor D including 261 live birds, 5 bodies, 6 and capture of adults and nestlings for discussion). Trade must be authorized eggs, 7 feathers, 1 skin, and 938 the pet trade represents one of the main through a system of permits and ‘‘specimens.’’ threats to the red-crowned parrot certificates that are provided by the Because the red-crowned parrot is (Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. 18). In designated CITES Scientific and listed as an Appendix-I species under

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CITES, commercial legal international shipments except during planned et al. 2007, entire). For instance, prior to trade is very limited. Of the 1,218 investigations, during seasonal periods 2008, when Article 602 of Mexico’s specimens that were likely in trade when certain illegally obtained wildlife General Wildlife Law (see below, and between 1997 (when the species was have a higher probability of being Factor D discussion) went into effect, placed in CITES Appendix I) and 2009, imported into the United States, or if only parrot species authorized by the 1,014 were wild specimens and an they have reason to suspect that the government for trade in any given year additional 53 specimens were from shipment could be contraband could be legally trapped and traded that sources unspecified in the data. Of these (Congressional Research Service 2008, year (Cantu et al. 2007, pp. 9, 24–25). specimens, 94 percent (953) were p. 24). As a result, it is likely that the No parrot trapping had been authorized specimens traded for scientific purposes 46 wild red-crowned parrots that were by wildlife officials between 2003 and (937 of the generically labeled reported as seized or refused entry into late 2006, yet unsustainable capture of ‘‘specimens’’, 6 eggs, 7 feathers, and 3 the United States since the species was wild parrots, including red-crowned bodies). The remaining were 113 live listed in CITES Appendix I represent parrots and other at-risk species, birds (59 of wild origin and 54 from only a portion of those smuggled out of continued unabated (Cantu et al. 2007, sources unspecified in the data) and 1 Mexico. Also, as pre-export mortality of p. 7). Based on interviews with parrot ‘‘specimen’’ from a source unspecified captured red-crowned parrots is trappers and trapper unions in Mexico in the data. Of these 113 live birds, 12 estimated to be greater than or equal to during 2005 and 2006, Cantu et al. were reported as imported into Mexico 50 percent (Enkerlin and Packard 1993, (2007, pp. 35, 57) estimated that 65,000– for re-introduction into the wild, 11 as in Macias and Enkerlin 2003, p. 20), it 75,000 parrots were illegally captured being for personal use, 5 as being for is also likely that smuggled birds each year in Mexico, mostly (86–96 commercial purposes, 31 as being represent only half (or less) of the percent) for Mexico’s domestic market. previously seized specimens traded for number removed from the wild for Red-crowned parrots were among the law enforcement purposes, 8 as being illegal export. Further, Cantu et al. species illegally captured and traded as specimens born or obtained prior to the (2007, pp. 58–59) report that, although evidenced by the studies of Macias and listing of the species under CITES (pre- the overall illegal export of parrots from Enkerlin (2003, pp. 18–19, 22) and Convention), and 46 that were seized or Mexico into the United States appears to Cantu et al. (2007, pp. 35, 45–59). refused entry into the United States. have decreased since 2000, with only an Macias and Enkerlin (2003, p. 19), Although 1,218 specimens of red- estimated 4–14 percent of parrots now during a study conducted from 2002– crowned parrot were reported in trade, exported out of the country, illegal 2003, found that 28 percent of local most (953, or 78 percent) were scientific exports of some species, including the people interviewed within the historical specimens traded for scientific red-crowned parrot, appear to be on the range of the red-crowned parrot purposes, and the large majority of these rise. reported that ‘‘looting’’ of red-crowned (98 percent) were generically labeled With respect to domestic trade, parrot chicks from nests for the pet trade ‘‘specimens,’’ rather than whole birds. commercial trade of red-crowned occurred in their community at a rate of Of the 265 non-scientific specimens parrots has been illegal in Mexico since 1–10 chicks per year. The greatest traded, 154 (58 percent) were live birds 1982 (CITES 1997, pers. comm.). Other proportion of reports was from that were captive-bred, captive-born, or species of parrots were legally traded in Veracruz, where 48 percent of those pre-Convention. Mexico until 2008, but due to a lack of interviewed reported that taking of Because the majority of the specimens enforcement of laws and regulations chicks occurred in their community. of this species reported in international controlling this trade, the illegal parrot With respect to adult birds, 15 percent trade are generically labeled scientific trade in Mexico has been extensive of community members interviewed ‘‘specimens,’’ or are captive-bred, (Cantu et al. 2007, entire). The office of reported adult red-crowned parrots were captive-born, or pre-Convention birds, the Procuradurı´a Federal de Proteccio´n captured for trade in their community we have determined that legal al Ambiente (PROFEPA; Federal and that capture rates ranged from 25– international trade controlled via valid Prosecutor for Environmental 50 adults per year to 50–100 adults per CITES permits is not a threat to the Protection) is responsible for enforcing year. Cantu et al. (2007, p. 35) estimate species. However, the number of live environmental laws, regulations, and fewer than 600 red-crowned parrots are wild birds reported as seized or refused legal standards in Mexico, including captured per year based on interviews entry into the United States due to lack those pertaining to the parrot trade. of CITES certification or WBCA PROFEPA employs a little over 500 with trappers, trapper unions, and authorization suggests reason for inspectors for the entire country, and others, although they indicate that their concern with respect to the illegal trade they are responsible for enforcement of estimates for some species are very of the species. wildlife, forestry, industrial pollution, conservative and may be marine environment, and other underestimates. Illegal Trade environmental laws, regulations, and In October 2008, Mexico passed Illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife standards (Cantu et al. 2007, p. 45). Article 60 2 of its General Law Wildlife products is extensive in Mexico because Although capacities for law enforcement Law. The article bans the capture, of their high demand and lucrative have been increasing in Mexico since export, import, and re-export of any profits (Valdez et al. 2006, p. 276). the late 1990s, PROFEPA still lacks the species of the Psittacidae (parrot) family According to Valdez et al. (2006, p. funding and human resources to whose natural distribution is within 276), the greatest percentage of this effectively enforce wildlife and other Mexico (see Factor D discussion). The trade is sold to the United States. The environmental laws (USAID CIFOR law could potentially reduce the number of red-crowned parrots illegally 2010, p. 46; GOM 2010, p. 24; Valdez et number of red-crowned parrots illegally exported from Mexico since the species al. 2006, p. 276). traded domestically. It could also was listed in Appendix I of CITES is As a result of the lack of enforcement potentially reduce the number illegally unknown. The Service inspects capacity, the laws and regulations for traded internationally by making it more approximately 25 percent of declared controlling the parrot trade in Mexico, difficult for smugglers to capture the wildlife shipments at the U.S. border. It including illegal trade in red-crowned species within Mexico and transport generally does not inspect undeclared parrots, have not been effective (Cantu them to the U.S. border. Based on an

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increased number of citizen complaints We are unaware of any information Stone et al. (2005, entire) sampled 10 to authorities about illegal parrot sales indicating that trade is a threat to red- red-crowned parrot nestlings from 4 and a decreased number of seizures of crowned parrots within the LRGV of nests of free-ranging red-crowned parrots by authorities during 2008– Texas. parrots in Tamaulipas, Mexico, as part 2010, Cantu and Sanchez (2011, entire) of a study to provide baseline data for Recreational, Scientific, or Educational conclude that illegal trade in parrots in species at high risk of exposure to Use Mexico has decreased since the law took disease. The population sampled was in effect. However, this conclusion We are unaware of any information a densely human-populated region of assumes that law enforcement effort indicating that recreational, scientific, Mexico, where poultry and captive increased with the increased number of or educational use of the red-crowned parrots (both potential disease risks) are complaints filed, and it is unknown if, parrot is a threat to the species. numerous. Each bird sampled was or to what extent, this was the case. Summary of Factor B visually examined for external parasites; Although the parrot trade in Mexico had blood samples taken and tested for may have decreased since Article 60 2 Red-crowned parrots currently are antibodies to psittacid herpesvirus-1, was implemented, without data on the estimated to number fewer than 5,000 polyomavirus, and avian influenza; and relationship between filed complaints individuals within their native range, had fecal samples collected and and enforcement, we are unable to and these individuals occur in examined for the eggs and oocysts (egg determine whether a decrease occurred fragmented and isolated populations. cells) of internal parasites. All blood or, if it did, the extent of such a Further, red-crowned parrot populations and fecal samples tested were negative. decrease. We also do not know whether do not have the capacity to respond Stone et al. (2005, pp. 246–247) indicate or not such a decrease would quickly to increased levels of mortality. that negative results of tests on the necessarily pertain to the red-crowned For these reasons, increased mortality blood and fecal samples could indicate parrot. Cantu et al. (2007, p. 59) report can out-pace the species’ reproductive absence of disease or parasites, but that illegal exports of the red-crowned rate, causing reductions in the species’ could also potentially be a result of the parrot appear to be increasing. population. Evidence indicates that, methods used or the stage during the Also, according to USAID CIFOR relative to the size of the species’ nestling cycle in which samples were (2010, p. 46), there are areas in Mexico current population and low taken. External parasites found on where government officials have limited reproductive rate, large numbers nestlings were adult lice access due to the presence of organized (hundreds) of red-crowned parrots are (Paragoniocotes mexicanus) and adult groups of illegal loggers, guerrilla removed from the wild for the illegal pet hematophagous nest mites groups challenging local and federal trade and that these include potentially (Ornithonyssus sylviarum), but the authorities, and drug traffickers (USAID 100 or more breeding birds (adults) per effect of these parasites on nestling CIFOR 2010, p. 46). The latter is year. Evidence also indicates that illegal health is uncertain (Stone et al. 2005, p. particularly relevant to red-crowned export of the species to the United 247). parrots. Mexico’s northeast states have States appears to have increased in A second study sampled 16 red- experienced dramatic increases in recent years. Further, we are not aware crowned parrots and 21 yellow-headed narcotics-related violence in the past 2 of any reliable evidence indicating that parrots (Amazona oratrix) maintained in years (U.S. Department of State 2011, the level of illegal capture and trade of captivity from 1 to 7 years. In that study, unpaginated; Rios and Shirk 2011, p. 1). the red-crowned parrot has declined birds were tested for several diseases The levels of violence have been such since Mexico’s ban on native parrot including avian influenza, avian that the U.S. Department of State has species was implemented in 2008. polyomavirus, psittacine circovirus, issued several travel warnings for the Although we are unaware of Newcastle disease virus, psittacid area including recommendations for information indicating that capture of herpesvirus-1, and psittacosis U.S. citizens to defer nonessential travel wild individuals for trade is a threat to (Chlamydophilia psittaci). All results to the entire state of Tamaulipas and the red-crowned parrot in the LRGV of were negative. Examination and tests for parts of San Luis Potosi, and exercise Texas, populations of the species in protozoa or helminthes also showed no caution in parts of Nuevo Leon. Mexico represent half or more of the evidence of these in sampled birds Considering much of the red-crowned species’ small global population. (Paras and Lamberski 1997, in Stone et parrot’s historical range, and many of Further, it is possible that the viability al. 2005, pp. 245–246). the locations with recent records of the of the LRGV population may rely on Although many diseases, such as species, are within the state of occasional supplementation from those mentioned above, and others, Tamaulipas, and that smaller portions of populations in Mexico (see Biological could negatively affect parrots in the species’ historical range occur in Information). For these reasons, we captivity and in the wild, the studies San Luis Potosi and Nuevo Leon, it is conclude that overutilization for conducted specifically on red-crowned reasonable to conclude that levels of commercial, recreational, scientific, or parrots did not indicate disease may be violence in these areas are likely educational purposes is a threat to the limiting the population. We are unaware hindering wildlife law enforcement red-crowned parrot. of any information indicating that any efforts, at least to some degree. diseases are impacting the red-crowned For all of these reasons, we consider Factor C: Disease or Predation parrot at a level which may affect the the study by Cantu and Sanchez (2011, Infectious diseases can pose many status of the species as a whole and to entire) to be inconclusive regarding the direct threats to individual birds as well the extent that it is considered a threat effects of Mexico’s new parrot law on as entire flocks (Abramson et al. 1995, to the species. the levels of trade of red-crowned p. 287). Most of the available research Snakes, red-tailed hawks (Buteo parrots. Further, we are unaware of any on disease in parrots addresses captive- jamaicensis), roadside hawks (B. other evidence that may indicate the held birds; information on the health of magnirostris), gray hawks (B. nitidus), level of trade in the species has parrots in the wild is scarce (Karesh et coatis, and skunks have been reported to decreased in recent years, or will al. 1997, p. 368). Further, few studies on prey on red-crowned parrots. Of these, decrease in the foreseeable future, in diseases affecting the red-crowned only snakes, particularly the indigo Mexico. parrot, specifically, exist. In one study, snake, appear to be a major source of

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predation (Enkerlin and Hogan 1997, approve cooperative breeding programs information indicating that the unpaginated). In a study of three and subsequently issue import permits regulatory mechanisms controlling Amazona species in southern under such programs. In addition to illegal trade, or extent of enforcement of Tamaulipas, which included the red- other approved purposes, wild-caught these mechanisms, will change in the crowned parrot, Enkerlin (1995, p. 89– birds may be imported into the United future. Therefore, we consider the 98) found that approximately 10 percent States if they are subject to Service- inadequacy of these regulatory of the chicks lost were lost via predation approved management plans for mechanisms to be a threat to the red- by indigo snakes. Although red-crowned sustainable use. At this time, the red- crowned parrot now and in the parrots are subject to predation, and crowned parrot is not part of a Service- foreseeable future. indigo snakes may be a major source of approved cooperative breeding program Habitat Destruction and Modification that predation, we found no evidence and does not have an approved that predation is occurring at a level management plan for wild-caught birds. The Ley General de Desarrollo which poses a threat to the species. Within Mexico, the red-crowned Forestal Sustentable (LGDFS; General parrot is considered an endangered Law on Sustainable Forest Summary of Factor C species as per Norma Oficial Mexicana Management), passed in 2003, governs We are not aware of any scientific or (NOM; Official Mexican Standard) forest ecosystems in Mexico, including commercial information that indicates NOM–059–ECOL–2001. Endangered and red-crowned parrot habitat. This law disease or predation poses a threat to threatened species are regulated under formalizes the incorporation of the red-crowned parrots, either now or in the general terms of the Ley General del forest sector in a broader environmental the foreseeable future. Therefore, based Equilibrio Ecolo´ gico y Proteccio´ n al framework. Under this law, harvesting on our review of the best available Ambiente (LGEEPA; General Law of of forests requires authorization from scientific and commercial information, Ecological Balance and Environmental SEMARNAT. It also requires that we find that neither disease nor Protection), the Ley General de Vida authorizations to forest owners for predation is a threat to the species. Silvestre (LGVS; General Wildlife Law), harvesting forests be based on a and also under the Convention on technical study and a forest Factor D: Inadequacy of Existing International Trade in Endangered Regulatory Mechanisms management plan (GOM 2010, p. 24). A Species of Wild Fauna and Flora number of additional laws complement Trade (CITES) to which Mexico is a Party (CEC the 2003 law in regulating forest use. 2003, unpaginated). NOM–059–ECOL– As discussed above under Factor B, The LGEEPA regulates activities for 2001 establishes a list of wildlife species protecting biodiversity and reducing the the red-crowned parrot is listed in classified as either in danger of Appendix I of CITES. CITES is an impact on forests and tropical areas of extinction (endangered), threatened, certain forest activities; the LGVS international treaty among 175 nations, under special protection, and probably including Mexico and the United States, governs the use of plants and wildlife extinct in the wild (GOM 2002, p. 6). All found in the forests; Ley General de which entered into force in 1975. In the use and development of endangered and Desarrollo Rural Sustentable (the United States, CITES is implemented threatened species requires a special General Law on Sustainable Rural through the U.S. Endangered Species permit from the Secretarı´a del Medio Development) provides guidance for Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 Ambiente y Recursos Naturales activities aimed at protecting and et seq.) The Secretary of the Interior has (SEMARNAT; Secretariat of the restoring forests within the framework delegated the Department’s Environment and Natural Resources). of rural development programs; and Ley responsibility for CITES to the Director Under the General Wildlife Law, the use Agraria (the Agrarian Law) governs of the Service and established the CITES of at-risk species, including the red- farmers’ ability to use forest resources Scientific and Management Authorities crowned parrot, may be authorized only on their land (Anta 2004, in USAID to implement the treaty. Under this when priority is given to the collection treaty, member countries work together and capture for restoration, 2011, unpaginated). to ensure that international trade in repopulation, and reintroduction Another law regulating portions of the animal and plant species is not activities (CEC 2003, unpaginated; red-crowned parrot’s habitat is the ´ detrimental to the survival of wild Comisio´n Nacional Para El Sistema Nacional de Areas Naturales populations by regulating the import, Conocimiento Y Uso De La Protegidas (SINANP; National System of export, and re-export of CITES-listed Biodiversidad 2009, unpaginated). Protected Natural Areas). These animal and plant species. Further, in October 2008, Mexico passed Protected Natural Areas are created by The import of red-crowned parrots Article 60 2 of the General Wildlife Law. Presidential decree and the activities on into the United States is also regulated The article bans the capture, export, them are regulated under the LGEEPA, by the Wild Bird Conservation Act import, and re-export of any species of which requires that the Protected (WBCA) (16 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.), which the Psittacidae (parrot) family whose Natural Areas receive special protection was enacted on October 23, 1992. The natural distribution is within Mexico. It for conservation, restoration, and purpose of the WBCA is to promote the allows for authorizations for removal of development activities (Comisio´n conservation of exotic birds by ensuring individuals from the wild to be issued Nacional de A´ reas Naturales Protegidas that all imports to the United States of only for conservation purposes, or to (CONANP) 2011, unpaginated). These exotic birds are biologically sustainable accredited academic institutions for natural areas are categorized as: and are not detrimental to the species. scientific research (Animal Legal & Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, The WBCA generally restricts the Historical Center 2008, unpaginated). Natural Monuments, Areas of Natural importation of most CITES-listed live or As discussed above under Factor B, Resource Protection, Areas of Protection dead exotic birds, except for certain we consider illegal trade to be a threat of Flora and Fauna, and Sanctuaries limited purposes such as zoological impacting the red-crowned parrot. As a (CONANP 2011, unpaginated). The red- display or cooperative breeding result, we consider the inadequacy of crowned parrot is known to occur in programs. Import of dead specimens is the laws and regulations discussed two biosphere reserves: Reserva de la allowed for scientific specimens and above to be a threat to the red-crowned Biosfera El Cielo, in Tamaulipas; and museum specimens. The Service may parrot. We are not aware of any Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra Gorda, in

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Quere´taro (Macias & Enkerlin 2003, p. species responds to those potential population is dependent on periodic 22) (see Factor A discussion). threats in a way that causes an actual influxes of birds from Mexico. As discussed above under Factor A, impact to the species. The identification Given (1) the large extent of the we consider the destruction and of threats that might impact a species decline in the global population of the modification of red-crowned parrot negatively may not be sufficient to species in recent decades due to habitat habitat to be a threat impacting the red- compel a finding that the species destruction and modification and crowned parrot. Therefore, we consider warrants listing. The information must capture for the illegal pet trade, (2) that the laws and regulations discussed include evidence indicating that the these threats likely continue within the above that address this threat to be threats are operative and, either singly range of the red-crowned parrot, (3) that inadequate regulatory mechanisms for or in aggregation, affect the status of the existing regulatory mechanisms protection of red-crowned parrot habitat species. Threats are significant if they addressing these threats are inadequate, and, consequently, a threat to the drive, or contribute to, the risk of and (4) we found no information species. We are not aware of any extinction of the species, such that the indicating that these threats will be information indicating that the species warrants listing as endangered ameliorated in the foreseeable future, regulatory mechanisms controlling or threatened, as those terms are defined we find that these threats are likely to habitat destruction or modification, or in the Act. continue to cause declines in the red- the extent of enforcement of these This status review identified threats crowned parrot population into the mechanisms, will change in the future. to the red-crowned parrot attributable to future. Therefore, we consider the inadequacy Factors A, B, and D. The primary threats On the basis of the best scientific and of these regulatory mechanisms to be a to the red-crowned parrot are habitat commercial information available, we threat to the red-crowned parrot now loss, illegal capture for the pet trade, find that the petitioned action to list the and in the foreseeable future. and the inadequacy of regulatory red-crowned parrot as endangered or mechanisms that address these threats. threatened is warranted. We will make Summary of Factor D Habitat destruction and modification a determination on the status of the red- As discussed above under Factors A (Factor A) in the form of conversion of crowned parrot as endangered or and B, we consider destruction and native forest to crop and grazing land threatened when we complete a modification of habitat and illegal trade and deforestation due to the indirect proposed listing determination. to be threats to the red-crowned parrot effects of logging are likely occurring However, as explained in more detail in Mexico. As a result, based on a throughout the species’ range in Mexico. below, an immediate proposal of a review of the best available scientific Illegal capture for the pet trade (Factor regulation implementing this action is and commercial information, we B) is also likely occurring throughout precluded by higher priority listing consider the inadequacy of existing the species’ range in Mexico, and is actions, and progress is being made to mechanisms that regulate these threats exacerbated by deforestation because add or remove qualified species from to also be a threat to the red-crowned deforestation increases access to the the Lists of Endangered and Threatened parrot. species. Regulatory mechanisms (Factor Wildlife and Plants. D) are inadequate to prevent further loss We have reviewed the available Factor E: Other Natural or Manmade of forest habitat and continued capture information to determine if the existing Factors Affecting the Species’ Continued and trade of the species throughout the and foreseeable threats render the Existence red-crowned parrot’s range. species at risk of extinction now such We are not aware of any scientific or The global population of red-crowned that issuing an emergency regulation commercial information that indicates parrots has experienced a large (greater temporarily listing the species in other natural or manmade factors pose than 50 percent) decline in recent accordance with section 4(b)(7) of the a threat to this species. As a result, we decades (Berlanga et al. 2010, pp. 38– Act is warranted. We have determined find that other natural or manmade 39), primarily due to habitat destruction that issuing an emergency regulation factors are not threats to the red- and modification and capture for the pet temporarily listing the red-crowned crowned parrot now or in the trade within Mexico (Macias and parrot is not warranted for this species foreseeable future. Enkerlin 2003, p. 3). As a result, the at this time because there are no current global population is estimated to impending actions that might result in Finding be fewer than 5,000 individuals. Half or extinction of the species that would be As required by the Act, we conducted more of the global population, most of addressed and alleviated by emergency a review of the status of the species and the current range, and all of the listing. However, if at any time we considered the five factors in assessing historical range of the red-crowned determine that issuing an emergency whether the red-crowned parrot is parrot occurs in Mexico. As a result, regulation temporarily listing the red- endangered or threatened throughout all threats that impact the species within crowned parrot is warranted, we will or a significant portion of its range. We Mexico have had and will continue to initiate this action at that time. examined the best scientific and have impacts on the rangewide status of commercial information available the species. Although population Listing Priority Number regarding the past, present, and future numbers and trends are uncertain The Service adopted guidelines on threats faced by the red-crowned parrot. outside of Mexico (i.e., within the LRGV September 21, 1983 (48 FR 43098), to We reviewed the petition, information of Texas), historical records indicate establish a rational system for utilizing available in our files, and other that the species occurred periodically in available resources for the highest available published and unpublished the LRGV prior to occurring year-round priority species when adding species to information. in the region (see Biological the Lists of Endangered or Threatened In considering whether a species may Information), indicating periodic Wildlife and Plants or reclassifying warrant listing under any of the five occurrence in the region of birds from species listed as threatened to factors, we look beyond the species’ Mexico. Therefore, it is possible that endangered status. These guidelines, exposure to a potential threat or birds from Mexico still periodically titled ‘‘Endangered and Threatened aggregation of threats under any of the occur in the LRGV. It is also, therefore, Species Listing and Recovery Priority factors, and evaluate whether the possible that the viability of the LRGV Guidelines,’’ address the immediacy

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and magnitude of threats, and the level The third criterion in our LPN budgets, responding to Congressional of taxonomic distinctiveness by guidance is intended to devote and public inquiries, and conducting assigning priority in descending order to resources to those species representing public outreach regarding listing and monotypic genera (genus with one highly distinctive or isolated gene pools critical habitat). The work involved in species), full species, and subspecies (or as reflected by taxonomy. The red- preparing various listing documents can equivalently, distinct population crowned parrot is a valid taxon at the be extensive and may include, but is not segments (DPSes) of vertebrates). We species level, and therefore receives a limited to: gathering and assessing the assign the red-crowned parrot a listing higher priority than subspecies or best scientific and commercial data priority number (LPN) of 2, based on DPSes, but a lower priority than species available and conducting analyses used our determination that the primary in a monotypic genus. The red-crowned as the basis for our decisions; writing threats are high in magnitude and parrot faces high magnitude, imminent and publishing documents; and imminent. These threats include habitat threats, and is a valid taxon at the obtaining, reviewing, and evaluating destruction and modification, capture species level. Thus, in accordance with public comments and peer review for the illegal pet trade, and inadequate our LPN guidance, we have assigned the comments on proposed rules and regulatory mechanisms. Our rationale red-crowned parrot an LPN of 2. incorporating relevant information into for assigning the red-crowned parrot an We will continue to monitor the final rules. The number of listing LPN of 2 is outlined below. threats to the red-crowned parrot, and actions that we can undertake in a given Under the Service’s LPN Guidance, the species’ status on an annual basis, year also is influenced by the the magnitude of threat is the first and should the magnitude or the complexity of those listing actions; that criterion we look at when establishing a imminence of the threats change, we is, more complex actions generally are listing priority. The guidance indicates will revisit our assessment of the LPN. more costly. The median cost for that species with the highest magnitude Work on a proposed listing preparing and publishing a 90-day of threat are those species facing the determination for the red-crowned finding is $39,276; for a 12-month greatest threats to their continued parrot is precluded by work on higher finding, $100,690; for a proposed rule existence. These species receive the priority listing actions with absolute with critical habitat, $345,000; and for highest listing priority. The primary statutory, court-ordered, or court- a final listing rule with critical habitat, threats to the red-crowned parrot approved deadlines and final listing $305,000. (habitat loss and modification, capture determinations for those species that We cannot spend more than is for the illegal pet trade, and inadequate were proposed for listing with funds appropriated for the Listing Program regulatory mechanisms) are affecting a from Fiscal Year 2011. This work without violating the Anti-Deficiency large portion of the species’ population includes all the actions listed in the Act (see 31 U.S.C. 1341(a)(1)(A)). In throughout the historical range of the tables below under expeditious addition, in FY 1998 and for each fiscal species in Mexico, and we have no progress. year since then, Congress has placed a information on threats or population Preclusion and Expeditious Progress statutory cap on funds that may be trends in the species’ remaining range in expended for the Listing Program, equal the LRGV. For Factors A, B, and D, we Preclusion is a function of the listing to the amount expressly appropriated consider the magnitude high because priority of a species in relation to the for that purpose in that fiscal year. This the current population is small, a large resources that are available and the cost cap was designed to prevent funds portion of the population is affected, and relative priority of competing appropriated for other functions under and these factors may lead to extirpation demands for those resources. Thus, in the Act (for example, recovery funds for in Mexico. Further, we have no any given fiscal year (FY), multiple removing species from the Lists), or for information indicating the LRGV factors dictate whether it will be other Service programs, from being used populations can persist in the absence possible to undertake work on a listing for Listing Program actions (see House of the Mexico populations. Because we proposal regulation or whether Report 105–163, 105th Congress, 1st find that threats under these three promulgation of such a proposal is Session, July 1, 1997). factors (A, B, and D) are high, we find precluded by higher priority listing Since FY 2002, the Service’s budget the overall threats that the red-crowned actions. has included a critical habitat subcap to parrot is facing to be high in magnitude. The resources available for listing ensure that some funds are available for Under our LPN Guidance, the second actions are determined through the other work in the Listing Program (‘‘The criterion we consider in assigning a annual Congressional appropriations critical habitat designation subcap will listing priority is the immediacy of process. The appropriation for the ensure that some funding is available to threats. This criterion is intended to Listing Program is available to support address other listing activities’’ (House ensure that the species that face actual, work involving the following listing Report No. 107–103, 107th Congress, 1st identifiable threats are given priority actions: Proposed and final listing rules; Session, June 19, 2001)). In FY 2002 and over those for which threats are only 90-day and 12-month findings on each year until FY 2006, the Service has potential or that are intrinsically petitions to add species to the Lists of had to use virtually the entire critical vulnerable but are not known to be Endangered and Threatened Wildlife habitat subcap to address court- presently facing such threats. Factors A, and Plants (Lists) or to change the status mandated designations of critical B, and D are considered imminent of a species from threatened to habitat, and consequently none of the because they are occurring now and are endangered; annual ‘‘resubmitted’’ critical habitat subcap funds have been expected to continue to occur in the petition findings on prior warranted- available for other listing activities. In future. These actual, identifiable threats but-precluded petition findings as some FYs since 2006, we have been able are covered in detail under the required under section 4(b)(3)(C)(i) of to use some of the critical habitat discussion of Factors A, B, and D of this the Act; critical habitat petition subcap funds to fund proposed listing finding. Because we find that threats findings; proposed and final rules determinations for high-priority under the three factors (A, B, and D) are designating critical habitat; and candidate species. In other FYs, while imminent, we find the overall threats litigation-related, administrative, and we were unable to use any of the critical that the red-crowned parrot is facing to program-management functions habitat subcap funds to fund proposed be imminent. (including preparing and allocating listing determinations, we did use some

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of this money to fund the critical habitat program. Of that, $9,472,000 is being threats (high or moderate to low), portion of some proposed listing used for determinations of critical immediacy of threats (imminent or determinations so that the proposed habitat for already-listed species. Also nonimminent), and taxonomic status of listing determination and proposed $500,000 is appropriated for foreign the species (in order of priority: critical habitat designation could be species listings under the Act. The monotypic genus (a species that is the combined into one rule, thereby being Service thus has $10,930,000 available sole member of a genus); species; or part more efficient in our work. At this time, to fund work in the following categories: of a species (subspecies, or distinct for FY 2011, we plan to use some of the compliance with court orders and court- population segment)). The lower the critical habitat subcap funds to fund approved settlement agreements listing priority number, the higher the proposed listing determinations. requiring that petition findings or listing listing priority (that is, a species with an We make our determinations of determinations be completed by a LPN of 1 would have the highest listing preclusion on a nationwide basis to specific date; section 4 (of the Act) priority). ensure that the species most in need of listing actions with absolute statutory Because of the large number of high- listing will be addressed first and also deadlines; essential litigation-related, priority species, we have further ranked because we allocate our listing budget administrative, and listing program- the candidate species with an LPN of 2 on a nationwide basis. Through the management functions; and high- by using the following extinction-risk listing cap, the critical habitat subcap, priority listing actions for some of our type criteria: International Union for the and the amount of funds needed to candidate species. In FY 2010, the Conservation of Nature and Natural address court-mandated critical habitat Service received many new petitions Resources (IUCN) Red list status/rank, designations, Congress and the courts and a single petition to list 404 species. Heritage rank (provided by have in effect determined the amount of The receipt of petitions for a large NatureServe), Heritage threat rank money available for other listing number of species is consuming the (provided by NatureServe), and species activities nationwide. Therefore, the Service’s listing funding that is not currently with fewer than 50 funds in the listing cap, other than those dedicated to meeting court-ordered individuals, or 4 or fewer populations. needed to address court-mandated commitments. Absent some ability to Those species with the highest IUCN critical habitat for already listed species, balance effort among listing duties rank (critically endangered), the highest set the limits on our determinations of under existing funding levels, the Heritage rank (G1), the highest Heritage preclusion and expeditious progress. Service is only able to initiate a few new threat rank (substantial, imminent Congress identified the availability of listing determinations for candidate threats), and currently with fewer than resources as the only basis for deferring species in FY 2011. 50 individuals, or fewer than 4 the initiation of a rulemaking that is In 2009, the responsibility for listing populations, originally comprised a warranted. The Conference Report foreign species under the Act was group of approximately 40 candidate accompanying Pub. L. 97–304 transferred from the Division of species (‘‘Top 40’’). These 40 candidate (Endangered Species Act Amendments Scientific Authority, International species have had the highest priority to of 1982), which established the current Affairs Program, to the Endangered receive funding to work on a proposed statutory deadlines and the warranted- Species Program. Therefore, starting in listing determination. As we work on but-precluded finding, states that the FY 2010, we used a portion of our proposed and final listing rules for those amendments were ‘‘not intended to funding to work on the actions 40 candidates, we apply the ranking allow the Secretary to delay described above for listing actions criteria to the next group of candidates commencing the rulemaking process for related to foreign species. In FY 2011, with an LPN of 2 and 3 to determine the any reason other than that the existence we anticipate using $1,500,000 for work next set of highest priority candidate of pending or imminent proposals to list on listing actions for foreign species, species. Finally, proposed rules for species subject to a greater degree of which reduces funding available for reclassification of threatened species to threat would make allocation of domestic listing actions; however, endangered species are lower priority, resources to such a petition [that is, for currently only $500,000 has been because as listed species, they are a lower-ranking species] unwise.’’ allocated for this function. Although already afforded the protections of the Although that statement appeared to there are no foreign species issues Act and implementing regulations. refer specifically to the ‘‘to the included in our high-priority listing However, for efficiency reasons, we may maximum extent practicable’’ limitation actions at this time, many actions have choose to work on a proposed rule to on the 90-day deadline for making a statutory or court-approved settlement reclassify a species to endangered if we ‘‘substantial information’’ finding, that deadlines, thus increasing their priority. can combine this with work that is finding is made at the point when the The budget allocations for each specific subject to a court-determined deadline. Service is deciding whether or not to listing action are identified in the With our workload so much bigger commence a status review that will Service’s FY 2011 Allocation Table (part than the amount of funds we have to determine the degree of threats facing of our record). accomplish it, it is important that we be the species, and therefore the analysis For the above reasons, funding a as efficient as possible in our listing underlying the statement is more proposed listing determination for the process. Therefore, as we work on relevant to the use of the warranted-but- red-crowned parrot is precluded by proposed rules for the highest priority precluded finding, which is made when court-ordered and court-approved species in the next several years, we are the Service has already determined the settlement agreements, and listing preparing multi-species proposals when degree of threats facing the species and actions with absolute statutory appropriate, and these may include is deciding whether or not to commence deadlines. species with lower priority if they a rulemaking. Based on our September 21, 1983, overlap geographically or have the same In FY 2011, on April 15, 2011, guidelines for assigning an LPN for each threats as a species with an LPN of 2. Congress passed the Full-Year candidate species (48 FR 43098), we In addition, we take into consideration Continuing Appropriations Act (Pub. L. have a significant number of species the availability of staff resources when 112–10), which provides funding with a LPN of 2. Using these guidelines, we determine which high-priority through September 30, 2011. The we assign each candidate an LPN of 1 species will receive funding to Service has $20,902,000 for the listing to 12, depending on the magnitude of minimize the amount of time and

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resources required to complete each whether progress in adding qualified funded by a separate line item in the listing action. species to the Lists has been expeditious budget of the Endangered Species As explained above, a determination is a function of the resources available Program. So far during FY 2011, we that listing is warranted but precluded for listing and the competing demands have completed delisting rules for three must also demonstrate that expeditious for those funds. (Although we do not species.) Given the limited resources progress is being made to add and discuss it in detail here, we are also available for listing, we find that we are remove qualified species to and from making expeditious progress in making expeditious progress in FY 2011 the Lists of Endangered and Threatened removing species from the list under the in the Listing Program. This progress Wildlife and Plants. As with our Recovery program in light of the included preparing and publishing the ‘‘precluded’’ finding, the evaluation of resource available for delisting, which is following determinations:

FY 2011 COMPLETED LISTING ACTIONS

Publication date Title Actions FR Pages

10/6/2010 Endangered Status for the Altamaha Proposed Listing Endangered ...... 75 FR 61664–61690 Spinymussel and Designation of Critical Habitat. 10/7/2010 12-Month Finding on a Petition to list the Sac- Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- 75 FR 62070–62095 ramento Splittail as Endangered or Threat- ranted. ened. 10/28/2010 Endangered Status and Designation of Critical Proposed Listing Endangered (uplisting) ...... 75 FR 66481–66552 Habitat for Spikedace and Loach Minnow. 11/2/2010 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Bay Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 75 FR 67341–67343 Springs Salamander as Endangered. tial. 11/2/2010 Determination of Endangered Status for the Final Listing Endangered ...... 75 FR 67511–67550 Georgia Pigtoe Mussel, Interrupted Rocksnail, and Rough Hornsnail and Des- ignation of Critical Habitat. 11/2/2010 Listing the Rayed Bean and Snuffbox as En- Proposed Listing Endangered ...... 75 FR 67551–67583 dangered. 11/4/2010 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Cirsium Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 75 FR 67925–67944 wrightii (Wright’s Marsh Thistle) as Endan- but precluded. gered or Threatened. 12/14/2010 Endangered Status for Dunes Sagebrush Liz- Proposed Listing Endangered ...... 75 FR 77801–77817 ard. 12/14/2010 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 75 FR 78029–78061 North American Wolverine as Endangered or but precluded. Threatened. 12/14/2010 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 75 FR 78093–78146 Sonoran Population of the Desert Tortoise but precluded. as Endangered or Threatened. 12/15/2010 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Astrag- Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 75 FR 78513–78556 alus microcymbus and Astragalus schmolliae but precluded. as Endangered or Threatened. 12/28/2010 Listing Seven Brazilian Bird Species as Endan- Final Listing Endangered ...... 75 FR 81793–81815 gered Throughout Their Range. 1/4/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Red Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 76 FR 304–311 Knot subspecies Calidris canutus roselaari tial. as Endangered. 1/19/2011 Endangered Status for the Sheepnose and Proposed Listing Endangered ...... 76 FR 3392–3420 Spectaclecase Mussels. 2/10/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Pa- Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 7634–7679 cific Walrus as Endangered or Threatened. but precluded. 2/17/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Sand Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 9309–9318 Verbena Moth as Endangered or Threatened. 2/22/2011 Determination of Threatened Status for the Final Listing Threatened ...... 76 FR 9681–9692 New Zealand-Australia Distinct Population Segment of the Southern Rockhopper Pen- guin. 2/22/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Solanum Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 9722–9733 conocarpum (marron bacora) as Endan- but precluded. gered. 2/23/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Thorne’s Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- 76 FR 9991–10003 Hairstreak Butterfly as Endangered. ranted. 2/23/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Astrag- Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 10166–10203 alus hamiltonii, Penstemon flowersii, but precluded & Not Warranted. Eriogonum soredium, Lepidium ostleri, and Trifolium friscanum as Endangered or Threatened. 2/24/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Wild Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 76 FR 10299–10310 Plains Bison or Each of Four Distinct Popu- tial. lation Segments as Threatened.

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FY 2011 COMPLETED LISTING ACTIONS—Continued

Publication date Title Actions FR Pages

2/24/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 76 FR 10310–10319 Unsilvered Fritillary Butterfly as Threatened tial. or Endangered. 3/8/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Mt. Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 12667–12683 Charleston Blue Butterfly as Endangered or but precluded. Threatened. 3/8/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Texas Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 12683–12690 Kangaroo Rat as Endangered or Threatened. 3/10/2011 Initiation of Status Review for Longfin Smelt .... Notice of Status Review ...... 76 FR 13121–13122 3/15/2011 Withdrawal of Proposed Rule to List the Flat- Proposed rule withdrawal ...... 76 FR 14210–14268 tailed Horned Lizard as Threatened. 3/15/2011 Proposed Threatened Status for the Chiri- Proposed Listing Threatened; Proposed Des- 76 FR 14126–14207 cahua Leopard Frog and Proposed Designa- ignation of Critical Habitat. tion of Critical Habitat. 3/22/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 15919–15932 Berry Cave Salamander as Endangered. but precluded. 4/1/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Spring Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 18138–18143 Pygmy Sunfish as Endangered. 4/5/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not War- 76 FR 18684–18701 Bearmouth Mountainsnail, Byrne Resort ranted and Warranted but precluded. Mountainsnail, and Meltwater Lednian Stonefly as Endangered or Threatened. 4/5/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Peary Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 18701–18706 Caribou and Dolphin and Union population of the Barren-ground Caribou as Endan- gered or Threatened. 4/12/2011 Proposed Endangered Status for the Three Proposed Listing Endangered; Proposed Des- 76 FR 20464–20488 Forks Springsnail and San Bernardino ignation of Critical Habitat. Springsnail, and Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat. 4/13/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List Spring Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 20613–20622 Mountains Acastus Checkerspot Butterfly as Endangered. 4/14/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Prairie Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 20911–20918 Chub as Threatened or Endangered. 4/14/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Hermes Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 20918–20939 Copper Butterfly as Endangered or Threat- but precluded. ened. 4/26/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 23256–23265 Arapahoe Snowfly as Endangered or Threat- ened. 4/26/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 76 FR 23265–23271 Smooth-Billed Ani as Threatened or Endan- tial. gered. 5/12/2011 Withdrawal of the Proposed Rule to List the Proposed Rule, Withdrawal ...... 76 FR 27756–27799 Mountain Plover as Threatened. 5/24/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Spot- Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 30082–30087 tailed Earless Lizard as Endangered or Threatened. 5/26/2011 Listing the Salmon-Crested Cockatoo as Final Listing Threatened ...... 76 FR 30758–30780 Threatened Throughout its Range with Spe- cial Rule. 5/31/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Puerto Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 31282–31294 Rican Harlequin Butterfly as Endangered. but precluded. 6/2/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Reclassify the Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 31903–31906 Straight-Horned Markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni) of Torghar Hills as Threatened. 6/2/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Gold- Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 31920–31926 en-winged Warbler as Endangered or Threatened. 6/7/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 32911–32929 Striped Newt as Threatened. but precluded. 6/9/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Abronia Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not War- 76 FR 33924–33965 ammophila, Agrostis rossiae, Astragalus ranted and Warranted but precluded. proimanthus, Boechera (Arabis) pusilla, and Penstemon gibbensii as Threatened or En- dangered. 6/21/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Utah Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 76 FR 36049–36053 Population of the Gila Monster as an Endan- tial. gered or a Threatened Distinct Population Segment.

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FY 2011 COMPLETED LISTING ACTIONS—Continued

Publication date Title Actions FR Pages

6/21/2011 Revised 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Re- Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 76 FR 36053–36068 classify the Utah Prairie Dog From Threat- tial. ened to Endangered. 6/28/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- 76 FR 37706–37716 Castanea pumila var. ozarkensis as Threat- ranted. ened or Endangered. 6/29/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the East- Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 38095–38106 ern Small-Footed Bat and the Northern Long-Eared Bat as Threatened or Endan- gered. 6/30/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List a Dis- Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- 76 FR 38504–38532 tinct Population Segment of the Fisher in its ranted. United States Northern Rocky Mountain Range as Endangered or Threatened with Critical Habitat. 7/12/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Bay Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 40868–40871 Skipper as Threatened or Endangered. 7/19/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Pinus Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 42631–42654 albicaulis as Endangered or Threatened with but precluded. Critical Habitat. 7/19/2011 Petition To List Grand Canyon Cave Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- 76 FR 42654–42658 Pseudoscorpion. ranted. 7/26/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- 76 FR 44547–44564 Giant Palouse Earthworm (Drilolerius ranted. americanus) as Threatened or Endangered. 7/26/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Frig- Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- 76 FR 44566–44569 id Ambersnail as Endangered. ranted. 7/27/2011 Determination of Endangered Status for Final Listing Endangered, Threatened ...... 76 FR 45054–45075 Ipomopsis polyantha (Pagosa Skyrocket) and Threatened Status for Penstemon debilis (Parachute Beardtongue) and Phacelia submutica (DeBeque Phacelia). 7/27/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Go- Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 45130–45162 pher Tortoise as Threatened in the Eastern but precluded. Portion of its Range. 8/2/2011 Proposed Endangered Status for the Proposed Listing Endangered ...... 76 FR 46218–46234 Chupadera Springsnail (Pyrgulopsis chupaderae) and Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat. 8/2/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 76 FR 46238–46251 Straight Snowfly and Idaho Snowfly as En- tial. dangered. 8/2/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- 76 FR 46251–46266 Redrock Stonefly as Endangered or Threat- ranted. ened. 8/2/2011 Listing 23 Species on Oahu as Endangered Proposed Listing Endangered ...... 76 FR 46362–46594 and Designating Critical Habitat for 124 Spe- cies. 8/4/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List Six Sand Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 76 FR 47123–47133 Dune Beetles as Endangered or Threatened. tial and substantial. 8/9/2011 Endangered Status for the Cumberland Darter, Final Listing Endangered ...... 76 FR 48722–48741 Rush Darter, Yellowcheek Darter, Chucky Madtom, and Laurel Dace. 8/9/2011 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- 76 FR 48777–48788 Nueces River and Plateau Shiners as ranted. Threatened or Endangered. 8/9/2011 Four Foreign Parrot Species [crimson shining Proposed Listing Endangered and Threatened; 76 FR 49202–49236 parrot, white cockatoo, Philippine cockatoo, Notice of 12-month petition finding, Not war- yellow-crested cockatoo]. ranted. 8/10/2011 Proposed Listing of the Miami Blue Butterfly as Proposed Listing Endangered, Similarity of Ap- 76 FR 49408–49412 Endangered, and Proposed Listing of the pearance. Cassius Blue, Ceraunus Blue, and Nickerbean Blue Butterflies as Threatened Due to Similarity of Appearance to the Miami Blue Butterfly. 8/10/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 49412–49417 Saltmarsh Topminnow as Threatened or En- dangered Under the Endangered Species Act.

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FY 2011 COMPLETED LISTING ACTIONS—Continued

Publication date Title Actions FR Pages

8/10/2011 Emergency Listing of the Miami Blue Butterfly Emergency Listing Endangered, Similarity of 76 FR 49542–49567 as Endangered, and Emergency Listing of Appearance. the Cassius Blue, Ceraunus Blue, and Nickerbean Blue Butterflies as Threatened Due to Similarity of Appearance to the Miami Blue Butterfly. 8/11/2011 Listing Six Foreign Birds as Endangered Final Listing Endangered ...... 76 FR 50052–50080 Throughout Their Range. 8/17/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 50971–50979 Leona’s Little Blue Butterfly as Endangered or Threatened. 9/01/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List All Chim- Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 54423–54425 panzees (Pan troglodytes) as Endangered. 9/6/2011 12-Month Finding on Five Petitions to List Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted 76 FR 55170–55230 Seven Species of Hawaiian Yellow-faced but precluded. Bees as Endangered. 9/8/2011 12-Month Petition Finding and Proposed List- Notice of 12-month petition finding, Warranted; 76 FR 55623–55638 ing of Arctostaphylos franciscana as Endan- Proposed Listing Endangered. gered. 9/8/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Not substan- 76 FR 55638–55641 Snowy Plover and Reclassify the Wintering tial. Population of Piping Plover. 9/13/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Frank- Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial .. 76 FR 56381–56391 lin’s Bumble Bee as Endangered. 9/13/2011 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List 42 Great Notice of 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial 76 FR 56608–56630 Basin and Mojave Desert Springsnails as and Not substantial. Threatened or Endangered with Critical Habitat.

Our expeditious progress also statutory timelines, that is, timelines a lower priority if they overlap includes work on listing actions that we required under the Act. Actions in the geographically or have the same threats funded in FY 2010 and FY 2011 but bottom section of the table are high- as the species with the high priority. have not yet been completed to date. priority listing actions. These actions Including these species together in the These actions are listed below. Actions include work primarily on species with same proposed rule results in in the top section of the table are being an LPN of 2, and, as discussed above, considerable savings in time and conducted under a deadline set by a selection of these species is partially funding, when compared to preparing court. Actions in the middle section of based on available staff resources, and separate proposed rules for each of them the table are being conducted to meet when appropriate, include species with in the future.

ACTIONS FUNDED IN FY 2010 AND FY 2011 BUT NOT YET COMPLETED

Species Action

Actions Subject to Court Order/Settlement Agreement

4 parrot species (military macaw, yellow-billed parrot, red-crowned parrot, scarlet macaw) 5 ...... 12-month petition finding. 4 parrot species (blue-headed macaw, great green macaw, grey-cheeked parakeet, hyacinth macaw) 5 ...... 12-month petition finding. Longfin smelt ...... 12-month petition finding.

Actions with Statutory Deadlines

Casey’s June beetle ...... Final listing determination. 5 Bird species from Colombia and Ecuador ...... Final listing determination. Queen Charlotte goshawk ...... Final listing determination. Ozark hellbender 4 ...... Final listing determination. Altamaha spinymussel 3 ...... Final listing determination. 6 Birds from Peru & Bolivia ...... Final listing determination. Loggerhead sea turtle (assist National Marine Fisheries Service) 5 ...... Final listing determination. 2 mussels (rayed bean (LPN = 2), snuffbox No LPN) 5 ...... Final listing determination. CA golden trout 4 ...... 12-month petition finding. Black-footed albatross ...... 12-month petition finding. Mojave fringe-toed lizard 1 ...... 12-month petition finding. Kokanee-Lake Sammamish population 1 ...... 12-month petition finding. Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl 1 ...... 12-month petition finding. Northern leopard frog ...... 12-month petition finding. Tehachapi slender salamander ...... 12-month petition finding. Coqui Llanero ...... 12-month petition finding/Pro- posed listing. Dusky tree vole ...... 12-month petition finding.

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ACTIONS FUNDED IN FY 2010 AND FY 2011 BUT NOT YET COMPLETED—Continued

Species Action

Leatherside chub (from 206 species petition) ...... 12-month petition finding. Platte River caddisfly (from 206 species petition) 5 ...... 12-month petition finding. 3 Texas moths (Ursia furtiva, Sphingicampa blanchardi, Agapema galbina) (from 475 species petition) ...... 12-month petition finding. 3 South Arizona plants (Erigeron piscaticus, Astragalus hypoxylus, Amoreuxia gonzalezii) (from 475 species 12-month petition finding. petition). 5 Central Texas mussel species (3 from 475 species petition) ...... 12-month petition finding. 14 parrots (foreign species) ...... 12-month petition finding. Mohave Ground Squirrel 1 ...... 12-month petition finding. Western gull-billed tern ...... 12-month petition finding. OK grass pink (Calopogon oklahomensis) 1 ...... 12-month petition finding. Ashy storm-petrel 5 ...... 12-month petition finding. Honduran emerald ...... 12-month petition finding. Eagle Lake trout 1 ...... 90-day petition finding. 32 Pacific Northwest mollusks species (snails and slugs) 1 ...... 90-day petition finding. Spring Mountains checkerspot butterfly ...... 90-day petition finding. 10 species of Great Basin butterfly ...... 90-day petition finding. 404 Southeast species ...... 90-day petition finding. American eel 4 ...... 90-day petition finding. Aztec gilia 5 ...... 90-day petition finding. White-tailed ptarmigan 5 ...... 90-day petition finding. San Bernardino flying squirrel 5 ...... 90-day petition finding. Bicknell’s thrush 5 ...... 90-day petition finding. Sonoran talussnail 5 ...... 90-day petition finding. 2 AZ Sky Island plants (Graptopetalum bartrami & Pectis imberbis) 5 ...... 90-day petition finding. I’iwi 5 ...... 90-day petition finding. Humboldt marten ...... 90-day petition finding. Desert massasauga ...... 90-day petition finding. Western glacier stonefly (Zapada glacier) ...... 90-day petition finding. Thermophilic ostracod (Potamocypris hunteri) ...... 90-day petition finding. Sierra Nevada red fox 5 ...... 90-day petition finding. Boreal toad (eastern or southern Rocky Mtn population) 5 ...... 90-day petition finding.

High-Priority Listing Actions

20 Maui-Nui candidate species 2 (17 plants, 3 tree snails) (14 with LPN = 2, 2 with LPN = 3, 3 with LPN = 8) Proposed listing. 8 Gulf Coast mussels (southern kidneyshell (LPN = 2), round ebonyshell (LPN = 2), Alabama pearlshell (LPN Proposed listing. = 2), southern sandshell (LPN = 5), fuzzy pigtoe (LPN = 5), Choctaw bean (LPN = 5), narrow pigtoe (LPN = 5), and tapered pigtoe (LPN = 11)) 4. Umtanum buckwheat (LPN = 2) and white bluffs bladderpod (LPN = 9) 4 ...... Proposed listing. Grotto sculpin (LPN = 2) 4 ...... Proposed listing. 2 Arkansas mussels (Neosho mucket (LPN = 2) & Rabbitsfoot (LPN = 9)) 4 ...... Proposed listing. Diamond darter (LPN = 2) 4 ...... Proposed listing. Gunnison sage-grouse (LPN = 2) 4 ...... Proposed listing. Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle (LPN = 2) 5 ...... Proposed listing. Lesser prairie chicken (LPN = 2) ...... Proposed listing. 4 Texas salamanders (Austin blind salamander (LPN = 2), Salado salamander (LPN = 2), Georgetown sala- Proposed listing. mander (LPN = 8), Jollyville Plateau (LPN = 8)) 3. 5 SW aquatics (Gonzales Spring Snail (LPN = 2), Diamond Y springsnail (LPN = 2), Phantom springsnail Proposed listing. (LPN = 2), Phantom Cave snail (LPN = 2), Diminutive amphipod (LPN = 2)) 3. 2 Texas plants (Texas golden gladecress (Leavenworthia texana) (LPN = 2), Neches River rose-mallow Proposed listing. (Hibiscus dasycalyx) (LPN = 2)) 3. 4 AZ plants (Acuna cactus (Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis) (LPN = 3), Fickeisen plains cactus Proposed listing. (Pediocactus peeblesianus fickeiseniae) (LPN = 3), Lemmon fleabane (Erigeron lemmonii) (LPN = 8), Gierisch mallow (Sphaeralcea gierischii) (LPN = 2)) 5. FL bonneted bat (LPN = 2) 3 ...... Proposed listing. 3 Southern FL plants (Florida semaphore cactus (Consolea corallicola) (LPN = 2), shellmound applecactus Proposed listing. (Harrisia (=Cereus) aboriginum (=gracilis)) (LPN = 2), Cape Sable thoroughwort (Chromolaena frustrata) (LPN = 2)) 5. 21 Big Island (HI) species 5 (includes 8 candidate species—6 plants & 2 animals; 4 with LPN = 2, 1 with LPN Proposed listing. = 3, 1 with LPN = 4, 2 with LPN = 8). 12 Puget Sound prairie species (9 subspecies of pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama ssp.) (LPN = 3), Proposed listing. streaked horned lark (LPN = 3), Taylor’s checkerspot (LPN = 3), Mardon skipper (LPN = 8)) 3. 2 TN River mussels (fluted kidneyshell (LPN = 2), slabside pearlymussel (LPN = 2)) 5 ...... Proposed listing. Jemez Mountain salamander (LPN = 2) 5 ...... Proposed listing. 1 Funds for listing actions for these species were provided in previous FYs. 2 Although funds for these high-priority listing actions were provided in FY 2008 or 2009, due to the complexity of these actions and competing priorities, these actions are still being developed. 3 Partially funded with FY 2010 funds and FY 2011 funds. 4 Funded with FY 2010 funds. 5 Funded with FY 2011 funds.

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We have endeavored to make our determine if a change in status is Service, Endangered Species Program, listing actions as efficient and timely as warranted, including the need to make Branch of Foreign Species (see FOR possible, given the requirements of the prompt use of emergency listing FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). procedures. relevant law and regulations, and Authors constraints relating to workload and We intend that any proposed listing personnel. We are continually action for the red-crowned parrot will The primary authors of this notice are considering ways to streamline be as accurate as possible. Therefore, we staff members of the Branch of Foreign processes or achieve economies of scale, will continue to accept additional Species, Endangered Species Program, such as by batching related actions information and comments from all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. concerned governmental agencies, the together. Given our limited budget for Authority implementing section 4 of the Act, these scientific community, industry, or any actions described above collectively other interested party concerning this The authority for this action is the constitute expeditious progress. finding. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The red-crowned parrot will be added References Cited to the list of candidate species upon A list of all references cited in this Dated: September 27, 2011. publication of this 12-month finding. document is available at http:// Rowan W. Gould, We will continue to monitor the status www.regulations.gov, at Docket No. Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. of this species as new information FWS–R9–ES–2011–0082, or upon [FR Doc. 2011–25808 Filed 10–5–11; 8:45 am] becomes available. This review will request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

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