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CAS’s petition for a hearing is denied. ADDRESSES: You may submit (a) The present or threatened Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118–30120, 30162; information by one of the following destruction, modification, or delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and methods: curtailment of its habitat or range; 501.8. (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal (b) Overutilization for commercial, eRulemaking Portal: http:// recreational, scientific, or educational Issued on: July 17, 2012. www.regulations.gov. In the Search purposes; David Strickland, field, enter Docket No. FWS–R2–ES– (c) Disease or predation; Administrator. 2012–0048, which is the docket number (d) The inadequacy of existing [FR Doc. 2012–18060 Filed 7–23–12; 8:45 am] for this action. Then click on the Search regulatory mechanisms; or BILLING CODE 4910–59–P button. You may submit a comment by (e) Other natural or manmade factors clicking on ‘‘Comment Now!’’ affecting its continued existence. (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail If, after the status review, we DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR or hand-delivery to: Public Comments determine that listing the Sonoran Processing, Attn: FWS– R2–ES–2012– talussnail is warranted, we will propose Fish and Wildlife Service 0048; Division of Policy and Directives critical habitat (see definition in section Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife 3(5)(A) of the Act) under section 4 of the 50 CFR Part 17 Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS Act, to the maximum extent prudent [Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0048; 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. and determinable at the time we 4500030113] We will post all information we propose to list the species. Therefore, receive on http://www.regulations.gov. we also request data and information Endangered and Threatened Wildlife This generally means that we will post on: and Plants; 90-Day Finding on a any personal information you provide (1) What may constitute ‘‘physical or Petition To List the Sonoran Talussnail us (see the Request for Information biological features essential to the as Endangered or Threatened section below for more details). conservation of the species,’’ within the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: geographical range currently occupied AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor, by the species; Interior. Arizona Ecological Services Office, 2321 (2) Where these features are currently ACTION: Notice of petition finding and West Royal Palm Road, Phoenix, AZ found; initiation of status review. 85021; by telephone at 602–242–0210; (3) Whether any of these features may require special management SUMMARY: or by facsimile at 602–242–2513. If you We, the U.S. Fish and considerations or protection; Wildlife Service (Service), announce a use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the Federal (4) Specific areas outside the 90-day finding on a petition to list the geographical area occupied by the Sonoran talussnail (Sonorella Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. species that are ‘‘essential for the magdalenensis) as endangered or conservation of the species’’; and threatened under the Endangered SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (5) What, if any, critical habitat you Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), Request for Information think we should propose for designation and to designate critical habitat. Based When we make a finding that a if the species is proposed for listing, and on our review, we find that the petition why such habitat meets the presents substantial scientific or petition presents substantial information indicating that listing a requirements of section 4 of the Act. commercial information indicating that Please include sufficient information species may be warranted, we are listing this species may be warranted. with your submission (such as scientific required to promptly review the status Therefore, with the publication of this journal articles or other publications) to of the species (status review). For the notice, we are initiating a review of the allow us to verify any scientific or status review to be complete and based status of the species to determine if commercial information you include. on the best available scientific and listing the Sonoran talussnail is Submissions merely stating support commercial information, we request warranted. To ensure that this status for, or opposition to, the action under information on the Sonoran talussnail review is comprehensive, we are consideration without providing from governmental agencies, Native requesting scientific and commercial supporting information, although noted, American tribes, the scientific data and other information regarding will not be considered in making a community, industry, and any other this species. Based on the status review, determination. Section 4(b)(1)(A) of the interested parties. We seek information we will issue a 12-month finding on the Act directs that determinations as to petition, which will address whether on: (1) The species’ biology, range, and whether any species is an endangered or the petitioned action is warranted, as threatened species must be made provided in section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act. population trends, including: (a) Habitat requirements for feeding, ‘‘solely on the basis of the best scientific DATES: We request that we receive breeding, and sheltering; and commercial data available.’’ information on or before September 24, (b) Genetics and taxonomy; You may submit your information 2012. The deadline for submitting an (c) Historical and current range, concerning this status review by one of electronic comment using the Federal including distribution patterns; the methods listed in the ADDRESSES eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES (d) Historical and current population section. If you submit information via section, below) is 11:59 p.m. Eastern levels, and current and projected trends; http://www.regulations.gov, your entire Time on this date. After September 24, and submission—including any personal 2012, you must submit information (e) Past and ongoing threats and identifying information—will be posted directly to the Division of Policy and conservation measures for the species, on the Web site. If your submission is Directives Management (see ADDRESSES its habitat or both. made via a hardcopy that includes section below). Please note that we (2) The factors that are the basis for personal identifying information, you might not be able to address or making a listing determination for a may request at the top of your document incorporate information that we receive species under section 4(a) of the Act (16 that we withhold this personal after the above requested date. U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), which are: identifying information from public

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review. However, we cannot guarantee Petition History and Previous Federal male genitalia (Bequaert and Miller that we will be able to do so. We will Actions 1973, p. 110). post all hardcopy submissions on On June 24, 2010, we received a According to information in our files, http://www.regulations.gov. petition dated June 24, 2010, from the the genus Sonorella includes 79 species Information and supporting Center for Biological Diversity, (McCord 1995, p. 317). The Sonoran documentation that we received and requesting that we list the Rosemont talussnail is in the order used in preparing this finding is talussnail (Sonorella rosemontensis) and Stylommatophora and the family available for you to review at http:// Sonoran talussnail (Sonorella Helminthoglyptidae first described in www.regulations.gov, or by magdalenensis) as endangered or 1890 by R.E.C. Stearns as Helix from appointment, during normal business threatened and that we designate critical specimens collected near Magdalena, hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife habitat under the Act. The petition Sonora, in Mexico (Bequaert and Miller Service, Arizona Ecological Services clearly identified itself as such and 1973, pp. 121–122). Between 1915 and Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION included the requisite identification 1923, Pilsbry and Ferriss described CONTACT). information for the petitioner, required seven other species and subspecies of Sonorella that are currently recognized Background by 50 CFR 424.14(a). In a December 1, 2011, letter to the petitioner, we as the Sonoran talussnail: S. hinckleyi, Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires responded that we reviewed the S. h. fraternal, S. tumacacori, S. that we make a finding on whether a information presented in the petition cayetanensis, S. sitiens arida, S. petition to list, delist, or reclassify a and determined that issuing an tumamocensis, and S. linearis (Bequaert species presents substantial scientific or emergency regulation temporarily and Miller 1973, p. 122). Pilsbry (1939, commercial information indicating that listing the Sonoran talussnail under p. 341) later synonymized the first four the petitioned action may be warranted. section 4(b)(7) of the Act was not of these species with S. s. arida, which We are to base this finding on warranted. According to the Multi- he raised to a species, S. arida. information provided in the petition, district Litigation Stipulated Settlement Following additional research, the three supporting information submitted with Agreement (WildEarth Guardians v. remaining species recognized by Pilsbry the petition, and information otherwise Salazar, No. 1:10–mc–00377–EGS (D. were synonymized with S. available in our files. To the maximum D.C.); Center for Biological Diversity v. magdalenensis as a single species extent practicable, we are to make this Salazar, No. 1:10–mc–00377–EGS (Bequaert and Miller 1973, p. 122). finding within 90 days of our receipt of (D.D.C.)), we are required to complete Although a thorough systematic and the petition and publish our notice of an initial finding for the Sonoran phylogenetic review of the genus the finding promptly in the Federal talussnail in Fiscal Year 2012, which Sonorella has not been published in the Register. ends September 30, 2012, as to whether literature, the Sonoran talussnail is recognized as a valid species by the Our standard for substantial scientific the petition contains substantial scientific community (Bequaert and or commercial information within the information indicating that the action Miller 1973, pp. 121–123; McCord 1995, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) with may be warranted. This finding addresses the petition to list the p. 320). We consider the petitioned regard to a 90-day petition finding is species, Sonorella magdalenensis, to be ‘‘that amount of information that would Sonoran talussnail and fulfills the requirement of the Multi-district a valid species based on the information lead a reasonable person to believe that in the petition and available in our files, the measure proposed in the petition Litigation Stipulated Settlement Agreement. The petition for the and, therefore a listable entity under the may be warranted’’ (50 CFR 424.14(b)). Act. If we find that substantial scientific or Rosemont talussnail will be addressed commercial information was presented, in a separate finding. There are no Habitat and Life History we are required to promptly conduct a previous federal actions concerning to There is little other information species status review, which we the Sonoran talussnail under the Act. available specific to the biology of the subsequently summarize in our 12- Species Information Sonoran talussnail; however, it is month finding. reasonable to conclude that the Sonoran The ‘‘substantial information’’ Species Description and Taxonomy talussnail is likely to be similar to other standard for a 90-day finding differs The Sonoran talussnail is a relatively closely related talussnails in terms of its from the Act’s ‘‘best scientific and large pulmonate (with functional lungs), habitat needs and life-history traits. commercial data’’ standard that applies terrestrial snail with an average shell Sonorella species are generally to a status review to determine whether diameter of 0.74 inches (in) (19 considered rock snails, occupying a petitioned action is warranted. A 90- millimeters (mm)) (Miller 1978, p. 111). rockslides and talus slopes (slopes day finding does not constitute a status The petitioner provided no further composed of volcanic rock and review under the Act. In a 12-month physical description of the species, nor limestone) (Pilsbry 1939, p. 268; finding, we will announce our do we have any additional species- Naranjo-Garcia 1988, p. 84; Pearce and determination as to whether a specific information in our files. In Orstan 2006, p. 265). The petitioner petitioned action is warranted after we general, snails of the Sonorella genus notes that the Sonoran talussnail is have completed a thorough status have a depressed spherical spiraling found in talus or coarse broken rock review of the species, which is shell that is 0.47 to 1.30 in (12 to 33 slides at elevations ranging from 2,750 conducted following a substantial 90- mm) in diameter and lightly colored, to 6,000 feet (839 to1830 meters) day finding. Because the Act’s standards normally containing a dark peripheral (Bequaert and Miller 1973, p. 122). Most for 90-day and status review conducted band (Bequaert and Miller 1973, p. 110). Sonorella species prefer steep rock for a 12-month finding on a petition are Because shells of Sonorella are weakly slides with sufficient interstitial space different, as described above, a differentiated and Sonorella is (space between rocks) that allow substantial 90-day finding does not hermaphroditic (meaning an individual crawling to the proper depth for mean that our status review and has both male and female sex organs), protection from summer heat (Bequaert resulting determination will result in a species are primarily separated by and Miller 1973, p. 27; Hoffman 1990, warranted finding. geographic location and anatomy of p. 7; Hoffman 1995, p. 5). Occupied

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sites can usually be identified by the the arid Southwest has likely been files, information related to population presence of dead and bleached shells, promoted by cycles of fragmentation numbers, size, or trends for the Sonoran which are typically abundant because and connection between the mountains talussnail. they disintegrate slowly in arid environs they inhabit. It is thought that a Evaluation of Information for This (Pilsbry 1939, p. 269). protracted series of substantial Finding Talussnails spend considerable time migrations occurred during wetter in estivation (dormancy), perhaps up to periods throughout the Pleistocene Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) 3 years at a time (Hoffman 1990, p. 7). Epoch (i.e., 2.5 million to 10,000 years and its implementing regulations at 50 To prepare for estivation, talussnails use ago), when topography also may have CFR part 424 set forth the procedures mucus and calcium to attach the been more suitable for colonization by for adding a species to, or removing a opening of the shell to the face of a rock snails crawling across the landscape species from, the Federal Lists of to make a waterproof seal. During (Bequaert and Miller 1973, p. 22; Endangered and Threatened Wildlife estivation, talussnails survive by McCord 1995, p. 321). In contrast, the and Plants. A species may be extracting calcium carbonate from their drier climate and geography of the determined to be an endangered or shells, which is re-deposited when present-day Southwest does not favor threatened species due to one or more active feeding resumes (Hoffman 1990, dispersal of Sonorella species into new of the five factors described in section p. 7). Weather conditions are the most territories (Bequaert and Miller 1973, p. 4(a)(1) of the Act: important factor affecting activity of 22). (A) The present or threatened living Sonorella, with talussnails only The Sonoran talussnail is one of six destruction, modification, or active above ground during or following Sonorella species that has a large range curtailment of its habitat or range; summer monsoon rains (Jontz et al. relative to other members of the genus, (B) Overutilization for commercial, 2002a, p. 3; Weaver et al. 2010, p. 3). and the Sonoran talussnail inhabits the recreational, scientific, or educational Talussnails feed primarily on fungus most widely separated localities of all purposes; and decaying plant matter (Hoffman Sonorella (Bequaert and Miller 1973, p. (C) Disease or predation; 1990, p. 7; Hoffman 1995, p. 6; AGFD 25). In addition to the type locality in (D) The inadequacy of existing 2008, p. 2). Sonorella species in the the Sierra Magdalena in Sonora, Mexico, regulatory mechanisms; or Santa Rita Mountains have been the petitioner notes that, in Arizona, the (E) Other natural or manmade factors reported foraging on Xanthoparmelia, a Sonoran talussnail has been affecting its continued existence. leaf-like lichen, during and after rains documented in seven mountain ranges In considering what factors might (WestLand Resources 2010, pp. 26, 31). within a 200- by 30-mile (mi) (124- by constitute threats, we must look beyond Sonorella species mate face-to-face, 19-kilometer (km)) area primarily along the mere exposure of the species to the and insemination is simultaneous the edges of the Santa Cruz Valley in factor to determine whether the species reciprocal, meaning when two Pima and Santa Cruz Counties (Bequaert responds to the factor in a way that talussnails meet both are usually and Miller 1973, p. 25). In Pima County, causes actual impacts to the species. If inseminated (Hoffman 1995, p. 6; the species is known from the Roskruge there is exposure to a factor, but no Davison and Mordan 2007, p. 175). Mountains, southern end of Tucson response, or only a positive response, During or after rain events, talussnails Mountains, northern end of Santa Rita that factor is not a threat. If there is lay a clutch of 30 to 40 eggs once or Mountains, Cerro Colorado Mountains, exposure and the species responds twice during summer. Fluctuations in and Tumamoc Hill (Bequaert and Miller negatively, the factor may be a threat humidity may cause large variations in 1973, p. 122). In Santa Cruz County, it and we then attempt to determine how rates of maturation and the life span of is known from the San Cayetano and significant a threat it is. If the threat is talussnails. The life span of land snails Tumacacori mountains (Bequaert and significant, it may drive or contribute to is dependent on their cycle of activity, Miller 1973, p. 122). Bequaert and the risk of extinction of the species such although talussnails are believed to live Miller (1973, p. 122) also note that the that the species may warrant listing as 8 to 9 years (Hoffman 1995, p. 6). Many Sonoran talussnail has been found in endangered or threatened as those terms mountain ranges in southeastern other locations in Sonora, Mexico, as far are defined by the Act. This does not Arizona where Sonorella species live south as the Sierra Pajaritos located 24 necessarily require empirical proof of a are also inhabited by a snail-eating mi (39 km) east of the town of Ures, threat. The combination of exposure and beetle (Scaphinotus petersi), which Sonora. some corroborating evidence of how the presumably preys upon talussnails To our knowledge, there are no species is likely impacted could suffice. (McCord 1995, p. 321). Talussnails are population numbers or trends known The mere identification of factors that also believed to be eaten by rodents and for the Sonoran talussnail. There are no could impact a species negatively may birds, but this is probably a sporadic recent survey data for all of the known not be sufficient to compel a finding random occurrence (Hoffman 1990, p. range, and we have no information in that listing may be warranted. The 10). our files to indicate that anyone has information must contain evidence looked for this species throughout its sufficient to suggest that these factors Distribution and Abundance range for almost 40 years. As noted by may be operative threats that act on the Species in the Sonorella genus are the petitioner, WestLand Resources species to the point that the species may found throughout most of Arizona, (2010, pp. 28–29) found Sonorella meet the definition of endangered or portions of western New Mexico and species in 26 localities in the Santa Rita threatened under the Act. Texas, and in Sonora, Mexico, and are Mountains along slopes, ridge lines, and In making this 90-day finding, we typically distributed across the canyon bottoms in 2008 and 2009. Some evaluated whether information landscape as geographically isolated of these talussnails were likely Sonoran regarding threats to the Sonoran populations exhibiting a high degree of talussnails, although this has not been talussnail, as presented in the petition endemism (organisms having narrowly verified. We have no additional and other information available in our distributed isolated populations) information readily available in our files files, is substantial, thereby indicating (Bequaert and Miller 1973, p. 22; regarding the species’ current that the petitioned action may be McCord 1995, p. 321). The distribution distribution. Furthermore, the petitioner warranted. Our evaluation of this and diversity of Sonorella species across does not present, nor do we have in our information is presented below.

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The petitioner asserts that the mining prospects within 2 miles of five In reference to the petitioner’s claim Sonoran talussnail is threatened by of the known locations of Sonoran that exotic plant invasion and control is habitat loss and degradation due to talussnail in Arizona: the Cerro a threat to Sonoran talussnail, some of mining; exotic plant invasion and Colorado Mountains, San Cayetano the information presented by the control; real estate development; Mountains, Santa Rita Mountains, petitioner appears to be reliable. Review livestock grazing; recreation and Tucson Mountains, and Tumacacori of this and other information readily vandalism; and illegal immigration, Mountains. These mines and mining available in our files confirms that the smuggling, and enforcement activities claims are on privately owned lands or perennial African buffelgrass is along the international border. Other lands managed by U.S. Forest Service or prevalent throughout four of the seven threats asserted by the petitioner Arizona State Land Department. mountain ranges in Arizona and one in include over-collection; inadequate Although we do not have information Mexico with known locations of regulatory mechanisms; and small, on the status of these mines, we believe Sonoran talussnails: Cerro Colorado isolated populations at risk of loss due their existence reveals that there is Mountains, Roskruge Mountains, to chance events and ongoing climate mining potential and a history of Tucson Mountains, Tumamoc Hill, and change. interest in areas adjacent to known Sierra Magdalena (Van Devender and Dimmitt 2006, pp. 5–6; Burquez-Montijo Mining locations of the Sonoran talussnail. Hard rock mining typically involves the et al. 2002, p. 137). However, the In support of the assertion that mining blasting of hillsides and the crushing of petitioner provided no information activity is a threat to the Sonoran rock. Threats posed to the Sonoran concerning how fire carried by talussnail throughout its range, the talussnail from such mining are buffelgrass may be acting on the species. petitioner explains that mining, in supported by the information provided Information readily available in our files general, and the proposed Rosemont by the petitioner as well as other supports that fire has become an Copper Mine in the Santa Rita information readily available in our files increasingly significant threat in the Mountains (Augusta Resource (Hoffman 1990, p. 7; Jontz et al. 2002b, Sonoran Desert within the range of the Corporation 2010, p. 10), specifically, p. 1) that indicates Sonoran talussnails Sonoran talussnail due to the may directly remove talussnails, could be killed or their habitat rendered widespread invasion of nonnative degrade habitat and water quality and unsuitable from hard rock mining annual and perennial grasses (Burquez quantity, alter microhabitat conditions, activities that remove talus, increase and Qunitana 1994, p. 23). and increase access roads and collection sedimentation in spaces between talus, The Sonoran Desert is not adapted to pressure (Center for Biological Diversity and otherwise alter moisture conditions. high-intensity fire, yet buffelgrass is not 2010, pp. 15–17). The petitioner These additional mines in locations that only fire-tolerant but also fire-promoting referenced WestLand Resources (2009, could impact more populations of the (Halverson and Guertin 2003, p. 13). On p. 2 and 2010, pp. 23–32), Jones (2008, Sonoran talussnail would put the slopes where Sonoran talussnails may p. 1), and Bequaert and Miller (1973, p. species at a high risk of extinction. be present, buffelgrass establishment is 25) to illustrate that the Sonoran Therefore, we conclude that the higher in the vicinity of rocks and in talussnail may occur in talus slopes as petition, as well as information readily disturbed soils (Burquez-Montijo 2002, well as the waste rock footprint of the available in our files, presents p. 134). The fire cycle created by proposed Rosemont Copper Mine. The substantial information that this species conversion of slopes to buffelgrass can petitioner indicated that dust, sediment, alter the microclimate and nutrient may warrant listing due to habitat herbicides, and windblown pollutants availability in the soil and litter layer destruction from mining activities from mining activities, and mining- that Sonoran talussnails rely on for food throughout most of its range. related road construction, use, and (Burquez-Montijo 2002, p. 135; Esque maintenance, may cause increased Exotic Plants and Schwalbe 2002, p. 181; Williams interstitial sedimentation and and Baruch 2000, pp. 128–130). A study contamination of Sonoran talussnail In support of its assertion that the by Nekola (2002, pp. 64–65) found that habitat in the Santa Rita Mountains Sonoran talussnail is threatened by increased fire cycles caused by fire within and adjacent to the proposed exotic plant invasion and control, the management in central North American Rosemont Copper Mine footprint petitioner stated that Pennisetum cilare grasslands reduced the abundance and (Service 1998, p. 5; AGFD 2003, p. 3; (buffelgrass) invades both lower slopes diversity of land snails and altered the Fonseca 2009, p. 3; SWCA and steep rocky hillsides and is microclimate and nutrient availability to Environmental Consultants 2009, pp. 3– expanding very rapidly in areas snails by burning the duff or litter layer 7). inhabited by the species in the Roskruge where snails feed. Even though they live In reference to the petitioner’s claim Mountains, Tumamoc Hill, and Mexico in talus and not grasslands, Sonoran that mining is a threat to the Sonoran (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 2010, talussnails also rely on a litter layer to talussnail, some of the information p. 1). The petitioner further explained feed. In addition, surveys of a canyon presented by the petitioner appears to that fire carried by bufflegrass, as well occupied by Sonorella species in the be reliable. Review of the information as rock disturbance and herbicide Pinaleno Mountains of Arizona provided by the petitioner supports that application to remove bufflegrass, may following the Nuttall complex fires in the Sonoran talussnail likely occurs in degrade habitat of talussnails (Fonseca 2004 revealed hundreds of scorched the waste rock footprint and talus slopes 2009, p. 3). The petitioner further talussnail shells along the canyon where of the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine; referenced Garcia and Conway (2007, burnout operations apparently reached however, the petitioner did not provide entire) and U.S. Forest Service (2003, high temperatures (Jones 2004, pers. substantial information to illustrate that entire) to illustrate that herbicides used comm.). mining and mineral exploration is in control of exotic plants such as Information in our files regarding the occurring in other parts of the species’ buffelgrass threaten non-target species. ability of buffelgrass to carry fire into range. However, according to U.S. Finally, the petitioner stated that P. habitats of the Sonoran talussnail, Geological Survey 7.5-minute setaceum (fountain grass) may also combined with evidence that fire has topographic maps readily available in threaten Sonoran talussnail in the killed other Sonorella species and our files, there are numerous mines and Tucson Mountains. resulted in decreased abundance and

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diversity and altered habitat of other under section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act. We reopening the comment period to allow land snails, supports that similar will fully evaluate these potential all interested parties an opportunity to negative impacts may occur, or may be threats during our status review, under comment simultaneously on the occurring, to Sonoran talussnail. the Act’s requirement to review the best proposed revised designation, the Therefore, information provided by the available scientific information when associated DEA, and the amended petitioner and readily available in our making that finding. Accordingly, we required determinations section. files presents substantial evidence that encourage the public to consider and Comments previously submitted need this species may warrant listing due to submit information related to these and not be resubmitted, as they will be fully habitat destruction from exotic plant any other threats that may be operating considered in preparation of the final invasion throughout most of its range. on the Sonoran talussnail (see Request rule. The petitioner did not provide for Information). DATES: The comment period for the substantial information, nor do we have proposed rule published October 19, information in our files, supporting that References Cited 2011 (76 FR 64996) is reopened. We will mechanical or chemical removal of A complete list of references cited is consider comments received on or invasive plant species is a threat to the available on the Internet at http:// before August 23, 2012. Comments Sonoran talussnail. www.regulations.gov and upon request submitted electronically using the from the Arizona Ecological Services Other Factors Federal eRulemaking Portal (see Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ADDRESSES section, below) must be The petitioner also states that real CONTACT). estate development, livestock grazing, received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on recreation, vandalism, and activities Authors the closing date. along the international border are The primary authors of this notice are ADDRESSES: Document availability: You threats to Sonoran talussnail, but the staff members of the Arizona may obtain copies of the proposed rule provides no substantial information to Ecological Services Office. and the draft economic analysis on the evaluate. The petitioner also states that Internet at http://www.regulations.gov at collection is known to threaten Authority Docket Number FWS–R8–ES–2011– talussnails. The petition also explains The authority for this action is the 0085, or by mail from the Ventura Fish that inadequate existing regulatory Endangered Species Act of 1973, as and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER mechanisms are a threat to the Sonoran amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). INFORMATION CONTACT). talussnail based on a lack of regulation Dated: July 12, 2012. Comment submission: You may from collection laws, U.S. Forest Service Daniel M. Ashe, submit written comments by one of the regulations, and a general lack of other following methods: Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. regulations to protect the species or its (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal habitat in the United States or Mexico. [FR Doc. 2012–17938 Filed 7–23–12; 8:45 am] eRulemaking Portal: http:// The petitioner also asserts that BILLING CODE P www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, Sonorella species are highly vulnerable enter FWS–R8–ES–2010–0085, which is to extinction due to chance events the docket number for this rulemaking. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR because they are found in isolated Then, on the left side of the screen, populations in small patches, and from Fish and Wildlife Service under the Document Type heading, historic range contraction that is likely click on the Proposed Rules link to to continue due to climate warming. We 50 CFR Part 17 locate this document and submit a will further evaluate these factors, along comment. with any other potential factors, during [Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2011–0085; (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail our status review and will report our 4500030114] or hand-delivery to: Public Comments findings in the subsequent 12-month RIN 1018–AX39 Processing, Attn: FWS–R8–ES–2011– finding. 0085; Division of Policy and Directives Finding Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS On the basis of our determination Habitat for the Tidewater Goby 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. under section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act, we We request that you send comments determine that the petition presents AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, only by the methods described above. substantial scientific or commercial Interior. We will post all comments on http:// information indicating that listing the ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of www.regulations.gov. This generally Sonoran talussnail may be warranted. comment period. means that we will post any personal This finding is based on substantial information you provide us (see the information provided in the petition, in SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Public Comments section below for addition to information readily available Wildlife Service, announce the more information). in our files, related to possible impacts reopening of the public comment period originating from mining and the on the October 19, 2011, proposed FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: invasion of exotic plants. revised designation of critical habitat for Diane K. Noda, Field Supervisor, Because we have found that the the tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 petition presents substantial newberryi) under the Endangered Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA information indicating that listing the Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). 93003; by telephone 805–644–1766; or Sonoran talussnail may be warranted, We also announce the availability of a by facsimile 805–644–3958. Persons we are initiating a status review to draft economic analysis (DEA) of the who use a telecommunications device determine whether listing the Sonoran proposed revised designation of critical for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal talussnail under the Act is warranted. habitat for tidewater goby and an Information Relay Service (FIRS) at We will evaluate all information under amended required determinations 800–877–8339. the five factors during the status review section of the proposal. We are SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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