October 6, 2008

Contacts:  Seth Willey 303-236-4257

                   Diane Katzenberger 303-236-4578

 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces the Initiation of 5-Year Reviews for 11 Species in Colorado, Nebraska, Utah, and Wyoming

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today published a notice of review in the Federal Register initiating 5-year reviews for three wildlife species and eight plant species as required under the Endangered Species Act. 

 

The species in consideration in the notice of review are:

• June sucker, a fish listed as endangered and found in Utah;
• Pawnee montane skipper, a butterfly listed as threatened and found in Colorado;
• Wyoming toad listed as endangered and found in Wyoming;

• Barneby reed-mustard, the Barneby ridge-cress and the Shrubby reed-mustard - plants listed as endangered and found in Utah;
• Clay reed-mustard and the Maguire primrose - plants listed as threatened and found in Utah;
• Blowout penstemon a plant listed as endangered and found in Nebraska and Wyoming;
• Clay-loving wild buckwheat and the North Park phacelia - plants listed as endangered and found in Colorado.

 

More information on each of the species can be found at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/wildlife.html

 

Periodic status reviews of all listed species are required by the ESA at least once every five years to determine whether a species’ classification as threatened or endangered is still appropriate.  If the best scientific and commercial data produced since the time of listing are not consistent with the current classification of any species, the Service will recommend a change in the species’ federal classification.  A species could be recommended for reclassification from endangered to threatened (downlisting), from threatened to endangered (uplisting), or for removal from the federal list of threatened and endangered species (delisting).

 

Any recommended change in classification would be subject to a separate rule-making process that includes opportunities for public review and comment. If no change in classification is recommended, the species would remain under its current listing status.

 

To assist in its reviews, the Service is opening a 60-day public comment period for the submission of scientific and commercial information produced since the original listing of each of these species. The public, government agencies, tribes, industry and the scientific and conservation communities are asked to submit information by December 5, 2008.

 

Information that is considered in a status review includes: 

• Species biology, including but not limited to, population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics and genetics;
• Habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, distribution and suitability;
• Conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the species;
• Threat status and trends; and
• Other new information, data or corrections including, but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous information contained in the list, and improved analytical methods.

 

If you wish to provide information for these 5-year reviews, you may submit your comments and materials to the corresponding U.S. Fish and Wildlife Field Supervisor:

 

June sucker, Barneby reed-mustard, Barneby ridge-cress, Shrubby reed-mustard, Clay reed-mustard, and the Maguire primrose:  Larry Crist, Utah Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attention: 5-year Review, 2369 West Orton Circle, Suite 50, West Valley City, Utah 84119; telephone (801) 975-3330. 

 

Pawnee montane skipper:  Susan Linner, Field Supervisor, Colorado Field Office, Ecological Services, P.O. Box 25486, MS-65412, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225; telephone (303) 236-4773. 

 

Wyoming toad:  Brian Kelly, Wyoming Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attention: Wyoming toad 5-year Review, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Suite 308A, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009; telephone (307) 772 2374

 

Blowout penstamon:  John Cochnar, Assistant Project Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attention: Blowout pentamon 5-year Review, 203 West Second Street, Federal Building, Second Floor, Grand Island, Nebraska 68801; telephone (308) 382-6468. 

 

Clay-loving wild-buckwheat and North Park phacelia :  Al Pfister, Western Colorado Project Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attention: 5-year Review, 764 Horizon Drive, Building B, Grand Junction, CO 81506-3946; telephone (970) 243-2778.

 

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

 

- FWS -

Email Us: MountainPrairie@fws.gov