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genetic research at facilities in Oregon DATES: To ensure consideration, written footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), and Washington for the purpose of comments must be received on or before southwestern willow flycatcher enhancing Columbia Basin pygmy August 1, 2003. (Empidonax traillii extimus), and rabbits survival and viability. ADDRESSES: Written comments should interior least tern (Sterna antillarum). Permit No. TE–072650 be submitted to the Chief, Endangered Permit No. TE–073460 Division, Ecological Services, Applicant: Jennifer Michaud-Laird, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Applicant: Aaron Flesch, Tucson, Sebastopol, California. 87103. Documents and other Arizona. The applicant requests a permit to information submitted with these Applicant requests a new permit for take (harass by survey, capture, handle, applications are available for review, research and recovery purposes to and release) the California tiger subject to the requirements of the conduct presence/absence surveys, nest salamander Sonoma County distinct Privacy Act and Freedom of Information monitoring, radio tracking, trapping, population segment (Ambystoma Act. Documents will be available for and removal of radio transmitters for californiense) in conjunction with public inspection, by appointment only, cactus ferruginous pygmy owl surveys in Sonoma County, California during normal business hours at the (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum) for the purpose of enhancing its U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold within Arizona. survival. Avenue SW., Room 4102, Albuquerque, Permit No. TE–072500 New Mexico. Please refer to the Permit No. TE–072651 respective permit number for each Applicant: U.S. Army Corps of Applicant: Diana Immel, Davis, application when submitting comments. Engineers, Champaign, Illinois. California. All comments received, including Applicant requests a permit for The applicant requests a permit to names and addresses, will become part research and recovery purposes to remove/reduce to possession Trifolium of the official administrative record and receive fountain darters (Etheostoma amoenum (showy Indian clover) in may be made available to the public. fonticola) and Texas wild-rice (Zizania texana), in order to assess the effects of conjunction with reintroduction efforts FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: in Sonoma and Marin Counties, Chief, Endangered Species Division, fog oil and other military species California for the purpose of enhancing (505) 248–6920. chemical compounds on these species. its survival. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Permit No. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq. Permit No. TE–072873 TE–057946 Dated: June 19, 2003. Applicant: USDA, Natural Resources Bryan Arroyo, Applicant: Kevin D. Matson, St. Conservation Service, Flagstaff, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Louis, Missouri. Arizona. Services, Region 2, Albuquerque, New The applicant requests a permit to Applicant requests an amendment to Mexico. take (collect blood) captive Hawaiian an existing permit to allow presence/ [FR Doc. 03–16684 Filed 7–1–03; 8:45 am] geese (Branta sandvicensis) and captive absence surveys for black-footed ferret BILLING CODE 4310–55–P io` (Buteo solitarias) in conjunction with (Mustela nigripes) within Arizona and disease research at the Three Ring New Mexico. Ranch Exotic Sanctuary, Kailue- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Kona, Hawaii for the purpose of Permit No. TE–072498 enhancing their survival. Applicant: Shaw Environmental, Inc., Fish and Wildlife Service We solicit public review and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife comment on each of these recovery Applicant requests a new permit for and Plants; 90-day Finding for a permit applications. research and recovery purposes to Petition to Delist the Mexican Dated: June 12, 2003. conduct presence/absence surveys for Bill Shake, the following species within Arizona AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, and New Mexico: black-footed ferret Interior. Deputy Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (Mustela nigripes), southwestern willow ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), [FR Doc. 03–16683 Filed 7–1–03; 8:45 am] finding and initiation of status review. northern aplomado falcon (Falco BILLING CODE 4310–55–P femoralis septentrionalis), and interior SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and least tern (Sterna antillarum). Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding for a petition to delist the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Permit No. TE–011464 Mexican bobcat ( rufus escuinapae) Fish and Wildlife Service Applicant: Caryn Vaughn, Norman, under the Endangered Species Act of Oklahoma. 1973, as amended. After reviewing the Endangered and Threatened Species Applicant requests an amendment to petition and available scientific and Permit Applications an existing permit to allow surveys and commercial information, we find that collection of the scaleshell mussel the petition presents substantial AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, (Leptodea leptodon) within Oklahoma information indicating that listing may Interior. and Arkansas. no longer be warranted. With the ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications. publication of this notice, we are Permit No. TE–054803 initiating a status review of the Mexican SUMMARY: The following applicants have Applicant: Michael Larisch, Silver City, bobcat. In addition to requesting applied for scientific research permits to New Mexico. information on the status of the Mexican conduct certain activities with Applicant requests an amendment to bobcat, we are requesting information endangered species pursuant to section an existing permit to allow presence/ on whether the subspecies designation 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species absence surveys for the following is taxonomically valid. If not valid, we Act of 1973, as amended. species within New Mexico: black- also request information on the status of

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the listed entity within Mexico for the trends, and threats were included in the Nowell and Jackson 1996). Lynx rufus purpose of determining if the Mexican petition. The petition requested that we escuinapae is the southernmost race of population constitutes a distinct delist the Mexican bobcat under the Act, bobcat found in Mexico. population segment (DPS) or constitutes and noted that downlisting to No population estimates are available a significant portion of the range of the threatened status would not be an for Lynx rufus escuinapae, but the species. We will prepare and publish a appropriate alternative. In a letter dated Mexican Government has stated that 12-month finding. November 4, 1996, we acknowledged this subspecies is widespread and DATES: The finding announced in this receipt of the petition (Service, in litt., numerous, is not specialized in its document was made on June 11, 2003. 1996). We stated that we would address habitat requirements, and is highly To be considered in the 12-month the petition as soon as possible. Due to ecologically adaptable (Graciela de la finding for this petition, comments and staffing and budget constraints, we have Garza Garcia, Direccion General de information should be submitted to us been unable to process this petition Conservacion Ecologia de los Recursos by September 30, 2003. until now. Naturalese, in litt. 1991). The Mexican bobcat belongs to the Little information is available on ADDRESSES: Submit information, mammalian family and has been utilization of the species in Mexico, but comments, or questions concerning this reported to be a subspecies of Lynx local hunting and trapping for petition finding to the Chief, Division of rufus. The number of taxa described subsistence is possible. There is no Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and within Lynx rufus ranges from 11 to 14. indication of illegal trade and no Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Allen (1903) first described this reported potential trade threats (Govt. of Rm 750, Arlington, VA 22203 (facsimile subspecies from two immature male U.S. 1992; Service, in litt. 1992). number 703–358–2276; E-mail address: specimens found in Escuinapa, Mexico, We listed the Mexican bobcat as an [email protected]). The on the basis of color and cranial endangered species on June 14, 1976 (41 petition, supporting information, and differences. However, the validity of FR 24064). This subspecies was listed comments will be available for public this subspecies is questionable. Samson under the Act due to its inclusion in inspection, by appointment, from 8 a.m. (1979) conducted a multivariate Appendix I of the Convention on to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the statistical analysis of a variety of skull International Trade in Endangered above address. measurements and found cranial Species of Wild Fauna and Flora FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: characteristics of L. r. escuinapae to be (CITES). By July 1, 1975, the Convention Karen L. Anderson, Division of similar to those of L. r. californicus and was ratified by enough nations to enter Scientific Authority (see ADDRESSES L. r. texensis. Also, the range of into force and at that time the countries section) (telephone 703–358–1708; escuinapae overlaps with the ranges of participating in CITES agreed that the facsimile 703–358–2276). baileyi and texensis. However, McCord Mexican bobcat met the criteria for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and Cardoza (1982) noted that statistical inclusion in Appendix I. Appendix I includes all species threatened with Background analysis of skull measurements only have meaning in large samples and are extinction and that are or may be Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered thus ineffective in the subspecific affected by international trade. In 1992, Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) assignment of individual specimens. during the 10-year review of species (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(A)), requires us to They also noted that the 11 to 14 included in the CITES Appendices, we, make a finding on whether a petition to subspecies of described to date with support from Mexico and other list, delist, or reclassify a species comprise few realistically countries, proposed to transfer the presents substantial scientific or distinguishable taxa that have any real Mexican bobcat to Appendix II, based commercial information indicating that biological or conservation significance. on the bobcat’s widespread and stable the petitioned action may be warranted. The majority of bobcats are found in status in Mexico and questionable This finding is to be based on all the United States, where they range . Our proposal was accepted information available to us at the time through a wide variety of habitats, and the transfer went into effect on the finding is made. To the maximum including boreal coniferous and mixed November 6, 1992. It is not clear at this extent practicable, this finding is to be forests in the north, bottomland time why the Mexican bobcat was made within 90 days of the date the hardwood forest and coastal swamp in originally included in Appendix I. petition was received, and a notice of the southeast, and desert and scrubland Distinct Vertebrate Population Segment the finding is to be published promptly in the southwest. Even within a local in the Federal Register. If the finding is area, individual bobcats usually use a We must consider any species for that substantial information was variety of habitats (Wilson and Ruff listing under the Act if available presented, we are required to promptly 1999). Only large, intensively cultivated information indicates such action may commence a review of the status of the areas appear to be unsuitable habitat. be warranted. ‘‘Species’’ is defined by involved species. After completing the Southern Canada represents the the Act as including any subspecies of status review, we will issue an northern limit of bobcat range, with fish and wildlife or plants, and any additional finding (the 12-month deep snow a significant limiting factor. distinct population segment of finding) on whether delisting is, in fact, With the clearing of mature coniferous vertebrate fish or wildlife that warranted. forests for agriculture, the bobcat has interbreeds when mature (16 U.S.C. On July 8, 1996, we received a expanded its range northward over the 1532 (16)). We, along with the National petition dated June 30, 1996, from the past century (Rollings 1945, Banfield Marine Fisheries Service (National National Trappers Association, Inc., 1974). In Mexico, bobcats are found in Oceanic and Atmospheric Bloomington, Illinois. The petition and dry scrubland and forest of pine (Pinus Administration-Fisheries), developed cover letter clearly identified itself as spp.) and oak (Quercus spp.), the Policy Regarding the Recognition of such and contained the name, address, principally in the mountainous northern Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments and signature of the petitioning and central parts of the country, and not (DPS Policy) (61 FR 4722) to help us in organization’s representative. in the tropical south (Hall and Kelson determining what constitutes a distinct Information relating to the taxonomy, 1959; Gonzalez and Leal 1984 and population segment (DPS). Under this the present population status and Woloszyn and Woloszyn 1982 cited by policy, we use three elements to assess

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whether a population under if so, whether this population of bobcat particularly interested in recent consideration for listing may be should remain listed. Although the information on the taxonomy of the recognized as a DPS: (1) Discreteness of petition did not address this issue, we bobcat, and specifically whether the population in relation to the will consider this question during our escuinapae is a valid subspecies or remainder of the species to which it status review. whether it should be considered part of belongs; (2) the significance of the Petition Finding other subspecies. We also request any population segment to the species to additional information that will support which it belongs; and (3) the population We have reviewed the petition, the the DPS analysis of the discreteness and segment’s conservation status in relation literature cited in the petition, and other significance, as defined in our DPS to the Act’s standards for listing. literature and information available in policy (see Distinct Vertebrate The DPS analysis is a stepwise our files. On the basis of the best Population Segment section above), of analysis; significance is considered only scientific and commercial information, this Mexican population relative to the when discreteness of the population has we find that the petition presents species as a whole. been determined, and the conservation substantial information to indicate that If you wish to comment, you may status is considered only when both the Mexican bobcat may warrant being submit your comments and materials discreteness and significance of the delisted. concerning this finding to the Chief, population have been established. With the publication of this notice, Division of Scientific Authority (see we are initiating a status review of the Discreteness refers to the isolation of a ADDRESSES section). Our practice is to Mexican bobcat to determine whether population from other members of the make comments, including names and delisting is warranted based on its status species and is based on two criteria: (1) home addresses of respondents, and taxonomy. If this subspecies is not Marked separation from other available for public review during taxonomically valid, we will also populations of the same taxon resulting regular office hours. Respondents may evaluate if the population of the listed from physical, physiological, ecological, request that we withhold their identity, entity in Mexico constitutes a DPS, and or behavioral factors, including genetic as allowable by law. If you wish us to if so, whether or not we should retain discontinuity; or (2) populations withhold your name or address, you the listing of this entity. If this delimited by international boundaries. If must state this request prominently at the population is determined to be population does not meet the DPS criteria, we will then evaluate whether the beginning of your comment. discrete, we determine significance by However, we will not consider assessing the distinct population or not the population of the listed entity is endangered or threatened in a anonymous comments. To the extent segment’s importance and/or consistent with applicable law, we will contribution to the species throughout significant portion of the species’ (i.e., Lynx rufus) range. make all submissions from its range. Measures of significance may organizations or businesses, and from include, but are not limited to, the Public Information Solicited individuals identifying themselves as following: (1) Persistence of the discrete representatives or officials of population segment in an ecological When we make a finding that organizations or businesses, available setting unusual or unique for the taxon; sufficient information exists to indicate for public inspection in their entirety. (2) evidence that loss of the discrete that delisting of a species may be Comments and materials received will population segment would result in a warranted, we are required to promptly be available for public inspection, by significant gap in the range of the taxon; commence a review of the status of the appointment, during normal business (3) evidence that the discrete population species. To ensure that the status review hours at the above address. segment represents the only surviving is complete and based on the best natural occurrence of the taxon that may available scientific and commercial References Cited be more abundant elsewhere as an information, we are soliciting Allen, J.A. 1903. A New Deer and a introduced population outside its information on the Mexican bobcat New Lynx From the State of , historic range; and (4) evidence the (Lynx rufus escuinapae) throughout the Mexico. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull., discrete population segment differs listed entity’s range in Mexico. If we 19:613–615. markedly from other populations of the determine that the subspecies taxon in its genetic characteristics. designation is not valid, then Banfield, A.W. 1974. The of If we determine that a population information on the status of the listed Canada. Univ. Toronto Press, Toronto. meets the discreteness and significance entity rangewide will, in particular, Hall, E. R., and K. R. Kelson 1959. The criteria for a distinct population assist us in determining if the Mexican Mammals of North America. The Ronald segment, we evaluate the threats to population meets the distinct vertebrate Press Company, New York. determine if endangered or threatened population segment criteria, or Government of the United States. status based on the Act’s standards is constitutes a significant portion of the 1992. Proposal to Transfer Felis rufa warranted. Endangered means the range. escuinapae from Appendix I to species is in danger of extinction We request any additional Appendix II. Proc. Conf. of the Parties throughout all or a significant portion of information, comments, and suggestions to CITES 8, CITES Secretariat, its range. Threatened means the species from the public, governmental agencies, Lausanne. is likely to become endangered within the scientific community, industry, and Gonzalez, C.B., and C.G. Leal. 1984. the foreseeable future throughout all or any other interested parties concerning [Forest Mammals of the Mexican Basin.] a significant portion of its range. the status of this subspecies of the Programme on Man and the Biosphere In reviewing the taxonomic bobcat throughout its range in Mexico. (UNESCO) and Editorial Limusa. information on Mexican bobcat, it is We are seeking information regarding Mexico City (in Spanish). unclear whether this subspecies is valid. taxonomy, historic and current McCord, C.M., and J.E. Cardoza. 1982. If the subspecies designation is not distribution, habitat use and habitat Bobcat and Lynx. Pp 728–766 in J.A. valid, then we must evaluate the status conditions, biology and ecology, Chapman and G.A. Feldhamer, eds. of the listed entity in its range within ongoing conservation measures for the Wild Mammals of North America: Mexico and determine whether the subspecies and its habitat, and threats to Biology, Management and Economics. listed entity meets the DPS policy, and the subspecies and its habitat. We are Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore.

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Nowell, K., and P. Jackson. eds. 1996. be viewed on the Fish and Wildlife 3800 East 80th Street, Bloomington, MN Wild : Status Survey and Service home page at http://migratory 55425. Phone 952–854–2100. Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC birds.fws.gov. Written comments can be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay Specialist Group, IUCN, Gland, sent to the address above, or emailed to Rendall, Mississippi River Basin Panel Switzerland. [email protected]. All comments Chair and Exotic Species Program Rollings, C.T. 1945. Habits, Food and must include the name and full mailing Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Parasites of the Bobcat in Minnesota. J. address of the person submitting the Natural Resources at 651–297–1464 or Wildl. Manage. 9:131–145. comments. All comments received, Sharon Gross, Executive Secretary, Samson, F.B. 1979. Multivariate including names and addresses, will Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force at Analysis of Cranial Characteristics become part of the public record. You 703–358–2308. Among Bobcats with a Preliminary may inspect comments during normal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant Discussion of the Number of business hours at the address above. to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Subspecies. Bobcat Res. Conf. Natl. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. Wildl. Fed. Sci. Tech. Ser. 6:80–86. L. Trapp, (703) 358–1965. I), this notice announces meetings of the Wilson, D.E., and S. Ruff. eds. 1999. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force The Smithsonian Book of North Mississippi River Basin Regional Panel. American Mammals. Smithsonian purpose of the DEA is to determine how to respond to applications for permits to The Task Force was established by the Institution Press, Washington DC. Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Woloszyn, D., and B.W. Woloszyn. take mute swans (Cygnus olor) under Prevention and Control Act of 1990. The 1982. [The Mammals of Sierra de La authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Mississippi River Basin Regional Panel Laguna Sur.] Consejo Act for the purpose of minimizing the was established by the ANS Task Force Nacional de Ciencia y Technologia, environmental damage that they can in 2002. The purpose of the Panel is to Mexico (in Spanish). cause. The DEA (1) reviews the history, population status, and trends of mute advise and make recommendations to Author swans in the Atlantic Flyway; (2) the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task The primary author of this document summarizes the history of mute swan Force on issues relating to the is Karen L. Anderson of the Division of population management; (3) assesses the Mississippi River Basin region of the Scientific Authority (see ADDRESSES effects of mute swans on wetland United States that includes thirty-two above). habitats, native species of fish and Mississippi River Basin States: wildlife, and human interests; and (4) Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Authority evaluates the need for continuing Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, The authority for this action is the management of mute swans in the Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Atlantic Flyway to minimize Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). environmental damage. Four Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Dated: June 11, 2003. alternatives, including the proposed action, are considered. Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Marshall P. Jones, Jr., Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Deputy Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. Steve Williams, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, [FR Doc. 03–16725 Filed 7–1–03; 8:45 am] Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The BILLING CODE 4310–55–P [FR Doc. 03–16699 Filed 7–1–03; 8:45 am] Mississippi River Basin Regional Panel BILLING CODE 4310–55–P will discuss several topics at this meeting including: aquatic invasive DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR species (Asian carp, New Zealand DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR mudsnail, round goby, water fleas, Fish and Wildlife Service purple loosestrife, and Eurasian Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Environmental Assessment on watermilfoil) in the Mississippi River Basin and their management; a Management of Mute Swans in the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force discussion on pathways of invasive Atlantic Flyway Mississippi River Basin Panel Meeting species spread and prevention methods AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, used for the aquatic plant trade, Interior. Interior. recreational activities, and effective ACTION: Notice of availability. boater education programs; a discussion ACTION: Notice of meeting. on prevention initiatives taken for the SUMMARY: This notice advises the public SUMMARY: This notice announces a dispersal barrier and the summit in that a Draft Environmental Assessment Chicago, 100th Meridian initiative, on the Management of Mute Swans in meeting of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force Mississippi public awareness campaign, Stop the Atlantic Flyway is available for Aquatic Hitchhikers, NAISA, and public review. Comments and River Basin Panel. The meeting topics SUPPLEMENTARY National Invasive Species Council’s suggestions are requested. are identified in the INFORMATION. rapid response efforts; a discussion on DATES: You must submit comments on Panel organization and operation and the Draft Environmental Assessment by DATES: The Mississippi River Basin establishment of new Panel Committees July 16, 2003. Regional Panel will meet from 8 a.m. to for education, policy, control, research, ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2003, and and outreach efforts; and status and Environmental Assessment (DEA) can 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2003, discussion of national legislation be obtained by writing to U.S. Fish and and a field trip from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. regarding aquatic invasive species. Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory on Friday, July 11, 2003. Minutes of the meeting will be Bird Management, 4401 North Fairfax ADDRESSES: The Mississippi River Basin maintained by the Executive Secretary, Drive, Mail Stop MBSP–4107, Regional Panel meeting will be held at Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Arlington, VA 22203. The DEA may also the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, Suite 810, 4401 North Fairfax Drive,

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