<s docid="LA092489-0103" num="9"> More than 20 years after a 3-inch perch called the snail darter stalled construction on a $137-million Tennessee dam, today's growing herd of endangered species, from foxes to phlox, is just as unpopular with builders and their bankers.</s>

<s docid="LA092489-0103" num="11"> Southern California developers and state and federal agencies expect to pay more than $100 million for the land to protect what all parties refer to as the K-rat, the endangered Stephens' kangaroo rat.</s>

<s docid="LA092489-0103" num="47"> While such habitat conservation plans may be in the works for the Stephens' kangaroo rat, they are still the exception.</s>

<s docid="LA092489-0103" num="116"> The Stephens' kangaroo rat was placed on the federal endangered species list in October, 1988.</s>

<s docid="FR940713-1-00062" num="5"> Specific habitat used by jaguars in the United States is unknown.</s>

<s docid="FR940713-1-00062" num="10"> Jaguars are still in demand for hunts and as trophies and pelts.</s>

<s docid="FR940713-1-00062" num="11"> The last verified jaguar in Arizona was hunted and killed in 1986 approximately one year after it was known to be in the area.</s>

<s docid="FR940713-1-00062" num="34"> On July 1, 1975, the jaguar was included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="4"> Saiga Antelope ( Saiga tatarica ) EIA submitted a draft proposal to the Service to include the saiga antelope in Appendix I of CITES.</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="5"> There are two recognized subspecies: The Russian saiga ( Saiga tatarica tatarica ) and the Mongolian saiga ( Saiga tatarica mongolica ).</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="6"> Historically the saiga antelope ranged from the Ukraine to western Mongolia.</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="7"> Today, the species remains only in the area stretching from the steppe east of the lower Volga River across Kazakhstan through the Dzungarian Basin of northwest China to Mongolia.</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="8"> Presently, its distribution within Russia is not continuous, but is divided into disjunct populations.</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="12"> However, the population in Mongolia is listed as endangered under the U.S.</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="13"> Endangered Species Act (ESA).</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="16"> This species is harvested for its meat, hides, fat, as well as the horns, which are exported to China.</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="19"> Urial ( Ovis vignei ) At the Plenipotentiary meeting of the CITES Parties in 1973, Ovis vignei was included in Appendix I, as proposed by India, and was also referred to as urial and shapo.</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="33"> Note: The entity referred to above as severtzovi is located between population centers of Ovis vignei and Ovis ammon, and the U.S.</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="34"> Fish and Wildlife Service has previously included this entity as Ovis ammon in the listing of this species as endangered pursuant to the U.S.</s>

<s docid="FR940127-1-00058" num="35"> Endangered Species Act.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="3"> This species is now recognized as Lynx lynx canadensis (Jones et al. 1992) and is often referred to as the Canada lynx.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="5"> The petitioners assert that the Canada lynx population in the contiguous United States should be added to the List of Threatened and Endangered Species because of the following factors: 1.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="6"> Intensive logging that eliminates foraging and denning habitat for Canada lynx and snowshoe hare until the vegetation has regrown sufficiently, creates openings in the forest that Canada lynx avoid, and causes habitat fragmentation that creates barriers to dispersal and colonization; 2.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="7"> Logging roads allow human accessibility that may increase incidental trapping of Canada lynx and disrupt Canada lynx travel and hunting; 3.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="8"> Forest fire suppression adversely affects Canada lynx through the reduction of hare habitat; 4.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="9"> Few comprehensive management plans for Canada lynx have been developed or implemented by government agencies; 5.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="10"> State agencies have not adequately modified their furbearer regulations; 6.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="12"> The southern Rockies population is further threatened by ski area developments that may reduce habitat and prey base and increase human disturbance and accidental trapping.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="13"> The petitioners requested that the southern Rocky Mountain population of the lynx be protected by emergency listing because it is severally imperiled, the population level is low, and it is reproductively isolated.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="14"> Listing Factors The following are the five listing criteria as set forth in section 4(a)(1) of the Act and regulations (50 CFR Part 424) promulgated to implement the listing provisions of the Act and their applicability to the current status of the Canada lynx.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="15"> A. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of Its Habitat or Range The suppression of forest fires and intensive logging prescriptions have had a detrimental effect on Canada lynx habitat, and logging roads have increased human accessibility to the species.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="16"> B. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or Educational Purposes Past overharvest has had a detrimental effect on Canada lynx populations.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="17"> C. Disease or Predation Canada lynx may be displaced or eliminated when competitors, such as the bobcat (Lynx rufus ) or coyote ( Canis latrans ), expand into the range of the Canada lynx.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="18"> D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms States managed the Canada lynx as a furbearer in the past, but as a result of declining Canada lynx populations, Canada lynx are classified as threatened or endangered in Colorado, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="19"> It is also fully protected from harvest in Maine, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="20"> Only Idaho and Montana currently allow the harvest of Canada lynx.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="21"> The above States either prohibit or control the ``take'' of Canada Lynx, but their laws are relative ineffective in controlling the loss or modification of the species' habitat.</s>

<s docid="FR940826-1-00080" num="22"> E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting Its Continued Existence Human development has had a determinental effect on the Canada lynx habitat and population.</s>

<s docid="FR940617-0-00107" num="8"> (e) If the infliction of the damage to gear, catch or person is substantial and immediate and only after all non-injurious methods authorized by paragraph (d) of this section have been taken, a vessel owner or crew member may intentionally injure or kill a marine mammal to protect gear, catch or person; except that it is prohibited for a vessel owner or crew member to intentionally lethally take any Steller sea lion, any Alaskan sea otter, any cetacean, any depleted species (including the Pribilof Island population of North Pacific fur seal), or any endangered or threatened marine mammal.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="3"> Although portions of the San Onofre area and the Santa Margarita River mouth in San Diego County remain relatively undisturbed, recent survey and small mammal trapping efforts at these locations failed to detect the presence of the Pacific pocket mouse (P.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="4"> Brylski, pers.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="5"> comm., 1993; R.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="6"> Erickson, in litt.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="7"> , 1993; Erickson 1993; R.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="8"> Zembal, U.S.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="9"> Fish and Wildlife Service, pers.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="10"> comm., 1993).</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="23"> Opportunities to find additional populations of the Pacific pocket mouse are limited.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="24"> Less than 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of about 28,000 hectares (70,000 acres) (1 percent) encompassing the range of the Pacific pocket mouse in Los Angeles County are undeveloped (U.S.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="25"> Fish and Wildlife Service, unpublished data, 1993).</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="26"> About 17,600 hectares (44,000 acres) of approximately 21,600 hectares (54,000 acres) (81 percent) encompassing the range of the Pacific pocket mouse in Orange County has been converted to urban uses (U.S.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="27"> Fish and Wildlife Service, unpublished data, 1993).</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="45"> Erickson (1993) has speculated that the red fox ``may have hastened the demise of the Pacific pocket mouse in the El Segundo area,'' where the species apparently was well-represented historically.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="48"> Feral and/or domestic cats are threatening the only known population of the Pacific pocket mouse.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00094" num="55"> The Pacific pocket mouse is currently classified as a candidate for Federal listing under the Act and as a Species of Special Concern ``Of Highest Priority'' by the California Department of Fish and Game (Department).</s>

<s docid="FR941227-2-00087" num="26"> The Florida Manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, was originally listed under the Endangered Species Act on March 11, 1967.</s>

<s docid="FR941227-2-00087" num="33"> West Indian manatees are also protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1461 et seq.</s>

<s docid="FR941227-2-00087" num="36"> Section 115(b) requires that conservation plans be developed for marine mammals, including West Indian manatees, considered ``depleted'' under the Act.</s>

<s docid="FR940511-0-00064" num="5"> Of particular interest is the migration route of the endangered California gray whale, the threatened northern sea lion, the occasional presence of the endangered right, fin, sei, blue, humpback, and sperm whales, and the reintroduced resident population of sea otters.</s>

<s docid="FR940203-0-00096" num="9"> However, the Pacific pocket mouse was never common at this site, and recent surveys have not located any individuals.</s>

<s docid="FR940816-1-00059" num="19"> In 1967, the timber wolf was listed as a subspecies ( Canis lupus lycaon ) as endangered (32 FR 4001), and in 1973 the northern Rocky Mountain subspecies, as then understood, ( C. l.</s>

<s docid="FR940816-1-00059" num="20"> irremotus ) was also listed as endangered, as was the Texas subspecies ( C. l.</s>

<s docid="FR940816-1-00059" num="21"> monstrabilis ) (38 FR 14678).</s>

<s docid="FR940816-1-00059" num="22"> In 1978, the legal status of the gray wolf in North America was clarified by listing wolves in Minnesota as threatened and other members of the species south of Canada as endangered, without referring to subspecies (43 FR 9607).</s>

<s docid="FR940816-1-00059" num="23"> 2. Biological This proposal deals with the gray wolf ( Canis lupus ), an endangered species of carnivore that was extirpated from the western portion of the conterminous United States by about 1930.</s>

<s docid="FR940816-1-00059" num="24"> The gray wolf is native to most of North America north of Mexico City, except for the southeastern United States, which was occupied by a similar species, the red wolf ( Canis rufus ).</s>

<s docid="FR941019-2-00100" num="30"> Population declines and associated inbreeding in the Florida panther have resulted in significant losses in genetic variability and viability.</s>

<s docid="FR941019-2-00100" num="31"> The population exhibits multiple physiological abnormalities that are likely a consequence of recent close inbreeding.</s>

<s docid="FR941227-1-00048" num="15"> SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The western North Atlantic population of northern right whales ( Eubalaena glacialis ) is estimated to consist of 300-350 animals.</s>

<s docid="FR941227-1-00048" num="19"> Northern right whale behavior occurring at the water's surface, such as resting, skim feeding, and courtship, makes them susceptible to disturbance by vessels.</s>

<s docid="FR941227-1-00048" num="20"> Further, it appears that vessel traffic has a measurable effect on large whales, including right whales.</s>

<s docid="FR941227-1-00048" num="31"> This commenter noted that such a buffer would be consistent with rules already adopted by NMFS, citing, as examples, the minimum distance rules for humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) in Hawaii (50 CFR 222.31) and the 5.5km (5500m) zone established around Steller sea lion rookeries and major haulouts in Alaska (50 CFR 226.12).</s>

<s docid="FR941227-1-00048" num="32"> The commenter further explained that right whale protective zones for the areas proposed to be designated as critical habitat in Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank would be consistent with existing Massachusetts regulations (322 CMR 12.00 et seq.), which implement a 500-yd buffer zone between right whales and vessels and prohibit activities of vessels that negatively impact right whales within Massachusetts waters.</s>

<s docid="FR941006-2-00015" num="14"> Permit No. 835 authorized the permit holders for the inadvertent harassment of harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina ), California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus ), Steller sea lions ( Eumetopias jubatus ), and elephant seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ) incidental to the conduct of aerial, ground, and boat surveys.</s>

<s docid="FR941006-2-00015" num="15"> The permit holders were also authorized to capture, mark, tag, brand, and sample harbor seals.</s>

<s docid="FR941004-1-00068" num="23"> It requests that the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), a bearlike Australian marsupial, be classified as endangered in New South Wales and Victoria, and as threatened in Queensland.</s>

<s docid="FR941004-1-00068" num="24"> The koala once occurred over much of the three indicated states, as well as in part of South Australia, and numbered in the millions.</s>

<s docid="FR941004-1-00068" num="25"> The petition presents an extensive compilation of data, including recent direct testimony from authorities on the species, suggesting that the koala has declined greatly in distribution and numbers, and that its status is likely to continue to deteriorate.</s>

<s docid="FR941004-1-00068" num="26"> Reportedly, there are practically none left in South Australia and only a few thousand in New South Wales and Victoria; the Queensland population may be less than 10 percent of what it was in the 1920s.</s>

<s docid="FR941004-1-00068" num="27"> The species was drastically reduced by excessive killing for its fur up through the 1920s.</s>

<s docid="FR941004-1-00068" num="29"> Logging, agriculture, and other problems have eliminated at least two-thirds of the original forest and woodland habitat, further declines are occurring, and little of the remaining habitat is well protected.</s>

<s docid="FR941004-1-00068" num="32"> Other reported problems include fires, diseases, droughts, harassment by dogs, interference with normal gene flow, and killing along the roads now penetrating habitat.</s>

<s docid="FR940106-2-00093" num="11"> The Key Largo woodrat and cotton mouse were listed as endangered species on August 31, 1984.</s>

<s docid="FR940106-2-00093" num="12"> Both species require tropical hardwood hammock forests for food and cover.</s>

<s docid="FR940106-2-00093" num="13"> An estimated 6,500 woodrats and 18,000 cotton mice occur on 2,100 acres of forested uplands.</s>

<s docid="FR940603-0-00054" num="18"> Right whales were the earliest targets of whaling and, although they have been protected world-wide from commercial whaling by international agreements since 1935, right whale populations still remain extremely depleted.</s>

<s docid="FR940603-0-00054" num="31"> The northern right whale was listed as endangered on June 2, 1970 (35 FR 8495).</s>

<s docid="FR941227-1-00037" num="4"> The petition requested that the conterminous U.S. population of the North American lynx ( Felis lynx canadensis ) be listed as a threatened or endangered species.</s>

<s docid="FR941227-1-00037" num="7"> Notice of a 90-day finding published in the August 26, 1994, Federal Register (59 FR 44123) found that there was substantial information to indicate that listing the contiguous population of the Canada lynx may be warranted.</s>

<s docid="FR940930-2-00144" num="17"> These species are polar bear, sea and marine otters, walrus, manatees (three species) and dugong.</s>

<s docid="FR941125-2-00029" num="15"> The applicant seeks authorization under the Endangered Species Act to take (harass) up to 750 humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) during observational and photographic-identification activities for purposes of scientific research.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="5"> Teer and Lindzey opined that the Kalmykian saiga population can no longer sustain itself when harvests for horns, meat, and hides are permitted for export, but that it can sustain a small offtake from hunting.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="9"> As a result of comments and information received concerning the amount of poaching of saiga antelope and the illegal trade in saiga horns, the use of saiga horns in combination with or as a substitute for rhinoceros horns in traditional medicines in conjunction with intensified pressures to stop the trade in rhinoceros horn, and the evidence of considerable declines in populations of S. t. tatarica over the last two decades for various reasons, the Service has proposed that populations of S. t. tatarica be included in Appendix II of CITES.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="10"> The numbers of S. t. mongolica are so low in the wild that the full protective potential of CITES seems warranted, therefore the Service has proposed that the Mongolian population be included in Appendix I of CITES.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="12"> The Service requested information and comments to help clarify which populations of the urial should be included in Appendix I as a result of the 1973 listing of Ovis vignei by India.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="16"> TRAFFIC USA passed on information from TRAFFIC India attesting to the endangered status of the urial sheep in India, and from TRAFFIC France indicating that urial hunting trips in central Asia are being organized by French companies.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="17"> Dr. Steve Edwards, IUCN, supported the submission of a proposal to clarify which populations of O. vignei are to be included in Appendix I.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="19"> The first two commenters argued that the intent of the original listing was to include only the population in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, while the latter noted that, according to his observation, the Transcaspian urial, the Afghan urial, the Blandford urial, and the Punjab urial are all abundant in the wild.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="20"> The Government of Pakistan indicated that the shapu ( O. orientalis vignei ( = O. v. vignei )), the gad ( O. o. blanfordi ( = O. v. blanfordi )), and the Punjab urial ( O. o. punjabiensis ( = O. v. punjabiensis )) are in fair numbers in Pakistan and that there is no need to list them under CITES.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="21"> Also, Mr. Earl Baysinger, U.S.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="22"> Fish and Wildlife Service, who attended the Convention's Plenipotentiary Meeting and COP2, provided a detailed account of the discussions that took place at that meeting of the Parties concerning the proposal and ultimate listing of the urial, and claimed that the Parties intended to include only O. vignei vignei in Appendix I.</s>

<s docid="FR941104-1-00055" num="23"> The Service is, therefore, proposing that only O. vignei vignei of the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir be retained in Appendix I, and that all other populations of O. vignei be included in Appendix II for biological and similarity of appearance purposes.</s>

<s docid="FR940926-2-00016" num="23"> Glenn R.</s>

<s docid="FR940926-2-00016" num="24"> VanBlaricom, Ph.D.</s>

<s docid="FR940926-2-00016" num="25"> (P476B), requests a Permit to harass up to 334 gray whales ( Eschrichtius robustus ) (167/167 during north/southbound migrations) over a 1-year period during production of low-frequency sounds, using a transducer dropped from a boat off the central California coast.</s>

<s docid="FR940926-2-00016" num="27"> John G.</s>

<s docid="FR940926-2-00016" num="28"> Morris, Ph.D.</s>

<s docid="FR940926-2-00016" num="29"> (P572), requests a Permit to harass up to 565 bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) over a 1-year period incidental to photo-identification and behavioral observations.</s>

<s docid="FR940706-2-00012" num="13"> Permit No. 918 authorized inadvertent harassment of harbor seals, and the incidental harassment of California sea lions, Northern elephant seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ), Northern fur seals ( Callorhinus ursinus ) during harbor seal surveys.</s>

<s docid="FR940706-2-00012" num="14"> The modification authorizes inadvertent harassment of harbor seals during scat collections and Steller sea lions ( Eumetopias jubatus ) and Guadalupe fur seals ( Arctocephalus townsendi ) during aerial surveys to collect data on abundance and distribution of these species along the California coast and the Channel Islands.</s>

<s docid="FR941227-1-00036" num="26"> A settlement agreement was reached on November 30, 1993, where the Service agreed to conduct a full status review of the lynx throughout its range in the lower 48 States and to determine whether it qualified as endangered or threatened pursuant to 16 U.S.C.</s>

<s docid="FR941227-1-00036" num="27"> Part 1533(a).</s>

