Service recommends delisting for two species, downlisting for four and no change in status for six

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the completion of 5-year reviews for 12 species in California.  Of the reviews being announced today, two are recommended for delisting, four for downlisting from endangered to threatened and six for no change in status.

These 5-year reviews were undertaken as required by section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) and were noticed for review on July 7, 2005. The 5-year review constitutes a recommendation by the Service. Any change in the listing status will require a separate rulemaking process. 

The species included in this announcement are the western snowy plover, Kneeland prairie pennycress, Morro shoulderband snail, Hidden Lake bluecurls, California least tern, Santa Cruz Island rock-cress, island night lizard, giant garter snake, San Francisco garter snake, valley elderberry longhorn beetle, Smith’s blue butterfly, and least Bell’s vireo.  The remainder of the 31 species noticed for review in 2005 are still undergoing review.

"Some endangered species are making significant progress toward recovery in California," said Steve Thompson, manager of California-Nevada Operations for the Service.  "The hard work and effort of our partners in conservation -- a cross-section of Californians that includes many ranchers, other landowners, local governments, the State of Californiaand the Department of Defense -- is paying off."

Recommended by the Service’s 5-year review for downlisting from endangered to threatened are the Smith’s blue butterfly, Morro shoulderband snail, least Bells vireo, and California least tern. 

Recommended for delisting are valley elderberry longhorn beetle and island night lizard.

No status change was recommended for the western snowy plover, Kneeland prairie pennycress, HiddenLakebluecurls, Santa Cruz Island rockcress San Franciscogarter snake and giant garter snake.

Under the Act, the Service maintains a list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species at 50 CFR17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). The Act also requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years and on the basis of such reviews determine whether or not any species should be removed from the List (delisted), or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. Any change in federal classification requires a separate rulemaking process distinct from the 5-year review.