Published: August 05, 2008 03:19 pm         

Species study includes local flora and fauna

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to conduct five-year status reviews of 20 threatened and endangered species that occur mostly in Southeast, including 5 fish, 3 mussels, 1 spider, 1 crayfish, and 10 plants.

A five-year review is conducted to ensure that a listing classification under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is accurate. Any interested party is invited to provide information and comments pertaining to these species. Written comments and information related to this five-year review must be received by September 29, 2008.

This notice covers the following 16 endangered species: three fish (vermillion darter, pygmy madtom, palezone shiner); two mussels (fanshell, pink mucket); nine plants (Pyne’s groundplum, small-anthered bittercress, leafy prairie clover, smooth coneflower, spreading avens, Roan Mountain bluet, rough-leaved loosestrife, Michaux’s sumac, Alabama canebrake pitcher plant); the spruce-fir moss spider; and the cave crayfish. This notice also covers four species that are listed as threatened including two fish (slender chub, blackside dace), a mussel (inflated heelsplitter), and a plant (Blue Ridge goldenrod).

Specifically, this review seeks information on: (1) species biology, including population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat conditions, including amount, distribution, and suitability; (3) conservation measures that have been implemented; (4) threat status and trends; and (5) other new information, data, or corrections, including taxonomic or nomenclatural changes; identification of erroneous information contained in the ESA list; and improved analytical methods. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection by appointment.

In addition to reviewing the classification of these species, a five-year review presents an opportunity to track the species’ recovery progress. It may benefit species by providing valuable information to guide future conservation efforts. Information gathered during a review can assist in making funding decisions, conducting interagency consultations, making permitting decisions, and determining whether to update recovery plans, and other actions under the ESA.

The Federal Register notice announcing the status review of these 20 federally listed species is available on-line at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/5yearReviews/FederalRegister-08/

Written comments and information on the slender chub, pygmy madtom, Pyne’s ground plum, and leafy prairie clover may be emailed to geoff_call@fws.gov, faxed to 931-528-7075, or sent via regular mail to Geoff Call, Tennessee Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, TN 38501.

Written comments and information on the blackside dace, fanshell, and palezone shiner may be emailed to geoff_call@fws.gov, faxed to 502-695-1024, or sent via regular mail to Kentucky Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 330 W Broadway, Rm. 265, Frankfort, KY 40601.

Written comments and information on the smooth coneflower, Michaux’s sumac, and rough-leaved loosestrife may be emailed to dale_suiter@fws.gov, faxed to 919-856-4556, or sent via regular mail to Dale Suiter, Raleigh Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 33726, Raleigh, NC 27636.

Written comments and information on the pink mucket may be emailed to bob_butler@fws.gov; information on the spruce fir moss spider may be emailed to john_fridell@fws.gov; and information on spreading avens, Blue Ridge goldenrod, Roan Mountain bluet, and small-anthered bittercress may be emailed to carolyn_wells@fws.gov. Information may also be faxed to 828-258-5330, or sent via regular mail to Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC 28801.

Written comments and information on the vermillion darter, inflated heelsplitter, and Alabama canebrake pitcher plant may be emailed to cary_norquist@fws.gov, faxed to 601-965-4340, or sent via regular mail to Cary Norquist, Jackson Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Jackson, MS 39213.

Written comments and information on the cave crayfish may be emailed to david_kampwerth@fws.gov, faxed to 501-513-4480, or sent via regular mail to David Kampwerth, Arkansas Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 110 South Amity Road, Suite 300, Conway, Arkansas 72032.

Information received in response to this notice of review will be available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the same addresses.