Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, the NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review of elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals and determined that a petitioned action to list both species is warranted. We have determined that fused-staghorn coral (A. prolifera) is a hybrid and therefore does not warrant listing. We have made our determination based on the best scientific and commercial data available and efforts being made to protect the species, and we propose to place both elkhorn and staghorn corals on the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We are announcing that hearings will be held at four locations in June to provide additional opportunities and formats to receive public input.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 223 [Docket No. 050304058-5113-02; I.D. 060204C] RIN 0648-XB29 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: We, the NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review of elkhorn ( Acropora palmata ) and staghorn ( A. cervicornis ) corals and determined that a petitioned action to list both species is warranted. We have determined that fused-staghorn coral ( A. prolifera ) is a hybrid and therefore does not warrant listing. We have made our determination based on the best scientific and commercial data available and efforts being made to protect the species, and we propose to place both elkhorn and staghorn corals on the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We are announcing that hearings will be held at four locations in June to provide additional opportunities and formats to receive public input. DATES: Comments on this proposal must be received by August 8, 2005. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for the specific public hearing dates. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the RIN 0648-XB29, by any of the following methods: E-mail: Acropora.Info@noaa.gov . Include Docket Number or RIN 0648-XB29 in the subject line of the message. Mail: Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, NMFS, Southeast…
Citation: 70 FR 24359
