As Endangered
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
8018 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 42 / Friday, March 1, 1996 / Proposed Rules Powell, R. A. and W. J. Zielinski. 1994. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Oasis Valley (Stejneger 1893). Between Fisher. In: Ruggiero, L. F., K. B. Aubry, Background 1931 and 1981, Amargosa toads were S. W. Buskirk, L. J. Lyon, and W. J. observed at only three sites within Oasis Zielinski, eds.; The Scientific Basis for Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Endangered Valley and at one isolated spring Conserving Forest Carnivores in the Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) system, despite intensive searches Western United States: American (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that for Marten, Fisher, Lynx, and Wolverine. (Linsdale 1940, Savage 1959, Altig 1981, any petition to revise the Lists of Altig and Dodd 1987). Thousands of USDA Forest Service, General Technical Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Report RM±254; pp 38±73. Amargosa toads were observed in June and Plants that contains substantial Author: The primary author of this 1958 (Savage 1959). The Amargosa toad scientific or commercial information, a was considered severely restricted in document is Leslie Propp, Western finding be made within 12 months of Washington Office (see ADDRESSES section). distribution and threatened by habitat the date of receipt of the petition on destruction by 1981 (Altig 1981). Authority whether the petitioned action is (a) not During a 1983 survey, Amargosa toads warranted, (b) warranted, or (c) were observed at 11 sites within Oasis The authority for this action is the warranted but precluded from Valley and two isolated spring systems, Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 immediate proposal by other pending and assumed present at 14 additional et seq.). proposals. Such 12-month findings are sites, based on statements from area Dated: November 22, 1995. to be published promptly in the Federal residents and suitability of habitat, even Register. John G. Rogers, though toads were not observed On September 21, 1994, the Service (Maciolek 1983a, 1983b). Amargosa Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife received a petition dated September 19, toad, though restricted to the Oasis Service. 1994, to emergency list the Amargosa Valley and vicinity, was considered [FR Doc. 96±4803 Filed 2±29±96; 8:45 am] toad (Bufo nelsoni) as an endangered well distributed and abundant in 1983 BILLING CODE 4310±55±P species. The Service's finding that (Maciolek 1983b). substantial information existed Amargosa toad surveys have been indicating the petitioned action may be conducted at 20 sites since 1990, but not 50 CFR Part 17 warranted was published in the Federal all sites were visited during each survey Register on March 17, 1995 (60 FR or with equal frequency (Hoff 1993, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife 15280). A status review was initiated at 1994a, 1994b; Clemmer 1995; Heinrich and Plants: 12-Month Finding for a that time. 1995). Available data from the sites Petition To List the Amargosa Toad The Amargosa toad has been surveyed since 1990 suggests that (Bufo nelsoni) as Endangered identified as either a category 1 or Amargosa toads have been extirpated category 2 species under the Act, since from one spring and are not as abundant AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, December 30, 1982 (47 FR 58454; 50 FR as in previous years at four other springs Interior. 37958; 59 FR 58982). The Amargosa (Savage 1959; Altig 1981; Maciolek toad was a category 1 candidate species ACTION: Notice of 12-month petition 1983a, 1983b; Hoff 1993; Hoff 1994a, with a listing priority of 2 at the time finding. 1994b; Clemmer 1995; Heinrich 1995). the petition was received by the Service. At the other 15 sites, however, On July 26, 1995, the Service observations of Amargosa toad adults, SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service recommended removal of the Amargosa juveniles, tadpoles, and eggs have (Service) announces a 12-month finding toad from category 1 candidate status fluctuated but remained relatively on a petition to list the Amargosa toad based information obtained during the constant, and the occurrence of eggs or (Bufo nelsoni) as an endangered species 1995 status review. The information tadpoles at sites where no adults were under the Endangered Species Act of suggested that the Amargosa toad is observed implies the presence of adults. 1973, as amended (Act). After review of more widespread and abundant within Estimates of the size of the adult all available scientific and commercial the Oasis Valley than previous reports population of Amargosa toads during information concerning the status of the indicated. However, additional 1993 and 1994 vary from 30 toads for species, the Service finds that listing of information is necessary to adequately each year to 130 and 85 toads for the 2 the Amargosa toad is not warranted. determine the status of the species, and years, respectively (Hoff 1994a, 1994b; DATES: The finding announced in this conservation efforts have been initiated Heinrich 1995). Both estimates were document was made on November 9, to remove identified threats. based on direct observations of 1995. The Amargosa toad is unique to Amargosa toad adults, juveniles, riparian habitats associated with the tadpoles, and egg masses at the same ten ADDRESSES: Data, information, Amargosa River, tributary springs of the sites. The disparity between these comments, or questions concerning this Amargosa River in Oasis Valley and estimates may be due to the difficulty notice should be submitted to the State isolated spring systems near Beatty, Nye inherent in adequately surveying for Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife County, Nevada. The petition stated that Amargosa toads. Service, Nevada State Office, 4600 the Amargosa toad was restricted to The available information does not Kietzke Lane, Building C±125, Reno, seven sites within Oasis Valley, and two support the petitioner's claim that the Nevada 89502. The petition, findings, isolated spring systems, and that these Amargosa toad population is severely and supporting data are available for sites are impacted by livestock and feral restricted in both abundance and public inspection, by appointment, burro grazing, water diversion, flood distribution. Comprehensive Amargosa during normal business hours at the control activities, off-road vehicle use, toad status information is unavailable above address. and nonnative species introductions. because not all historically identified The petition stated that the Amargosa habitats have been surveyed since 1983. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: toad had declined from thousands in Information from Oasis Valley residents Donna Withers, Staff Biologist, at the 1958 to only 30 individuals in 1994. suggests that Amargosa toads still above address, or telephone (702) 784± Amargosa toads were first collected in occupy springs on several private 5227. 1891 from an unidentified location in properties not surveyed in recent years. Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 42 / Friday, March 1, 1996 / Proposed Rules 8019 A comprehensive evaluation of the After reviewing all scientific and amend Appendices I or II. Such status and distribution of Amargosa toad commercial information available, the amendments may concern the addition will only be possible when additional Service has determined that listing the of species to Appendix I or II, the surveys are conducted in potential Amargosa toad is not warranted at this transfer of species from one appendix to amphibian habitat with Oasis Valley. time. This decision is based on another, or the removal of species from Habitats occupied by Amargosa toads information contained in the petition, Appendix I or II. This notice also invites are subject to various natural and received during the status review, and information and comments from the human-induced modifications resulting otherwise available to the Service at the public on possible resolutions and from flooding, flood-control and time the 12-month finding was made, agenda items for discussion at COP10. restoration activities, nonnative species which indicates that the Amargosa toad DATES: The Service will consider all introductions, livestock and feral burro is more widespread and abundant information and comments received by grazing, off-road vehicle use, and release within the Oasis Valley than stated in April 30, 1996. of pollutants (Altig 1981, Maciolek the petition. In addition, conservation ADDRESSES: Correspondence concerning 1983a, Hoff 1994b). The information on efforts have been initiated to remove this request pertaining to species the release of pollutants is anecdotal. identified threats. The Service amendments should be sent to the Voluntary conservation activities have recognizes the need to monitor the Office of Scientific Authority; Room been recently initiated to address these species' status to determine Amargosa 750; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, threats to Amargosa toads and their toad population trends and measure the 4401 North Fairfax Drive; Arlington, habitats. These activities will provide a effectiveness of the conservation Virginia, 22203. Correspondence sound foundation for appropriate measures. concerning this request pertaining to management of Amargosa toad habitats. References Cited resolutions and agenda items should be The petitioner acknowledged the sent to the Office of Management existence of these conservation A list of references cited is available Authority, Room 420, at the same activities, but questioned their from the Nevada State Office (see address. Comments and materials effectiveness.