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Proposed Rule2021-239922021-11-23

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for Pascagoula Map Turtle; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Pearl River Map Turtle; and Threatened Species Status for Alabama Map Turtle, Barbour's Map Turtle, Escambia Map Turtle, and Pascagoula Map Turtle Due to Similarity of Appearance With a Section 4(d) Rule

Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service

Abstract

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 12-month findings for two freshwater turtle species, the Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi) and the Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis), as endangered or threatened species. The Pascagoula map turtle is endemic to the Pascagoula River drainage in Mississippi, and the Pearl River map turtle is endemic to the Pearl River drainage in Mississippi and Louisiana. We propose to list the Pearl River map turtle as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (``4(d) rule''). After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that it is not warranted at this time to list the Pascagoula map turtle; however, we propose to list the Pascagoula map turtle along with Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra), Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri), and Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti) as threatened species due to similarity of appearance to the Pearl River map turtle with a 4(d) rule. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add the Pearl River map turtle, Alabama map turtle, Barbour's map turtle, Escambia map turtle, and Pascagoula map turtle to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species.

Action & Dates

Action
Proposed rule; announcement of 12-month petition finding.
Dates
Comment submission: For the proposed rules to list the Pearl River map turtle and the four other species (Alabama map turtle, Barbour's map turtle, Escambia map turtle, and Pascagoula map turtle) due to similarity of appearance, we will accept comments received or postmarked on or before January 24, 2022. We also request comments on the proposed 4(d) rule for the Pearl River map turtle and the proposed 4(d) rule for the Alabama map turtle, Barbour's map turtle, Escambia map turtle, and Pascagoula map turtle during the same timeframe as comments for the proposed listing actions. Comments submitted

CFR References

Topics

Endangered and threatened speciesExportsImportsReporting and recordkeeping requirementsTransportation

Public Comment

Comments Close
2022-01-24

Document Excerpt

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 the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2021-0097; FF09E21000 FXES1111090FEDR 223] RIN 1018-BF42 AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; announcement of 12-month petition finding. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 12-month findings for two freshwater turtle species, the Pascagoula map turtle ( Graptemys gibbonsi ) and the Pearl River map turtle ( Graptemys pearlensis ), as endangered or threatened species. The Pascagoula map turtle is endemic to the Pascagoula River drainage in Mississippi, and the Pearl River map turtle is endemic to the Pearl River drainage in Mississippi and Louisiana. We propose to list the Pearl River map turtle as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (“4(d) rule”). After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that it is not warranted at this time to list the Pascagoula map turtle; however, we propose to list the Pascagoula map turtle along with Alabama map turtle ( Graptemys pulchra ), Barbour's map turtle ( Graptemys barbouri ), and Escambia map turtle ( Graptemys ernsti ) as threatened species due to similarity of appearance to the Pearl River map turtle with a 4(d) rule. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add the Pearl River map turtle, Alabama map turtle, Barbour's map turtle, Escambia map turtle, and Pascagoula map turtle to the Li

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Full Document

Citation: 86 FR 66624