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Proposed Rule2023-053402023-03-16

Proposed Rule To List the Sunflower Sea Star as Threatened Under the Endangered Species Act

Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Abstract

We, NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review for the sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, in response to a petition to list this species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Based on the best scientific and commercial information available, including the draft status review report, and after taking into account efforts being made to protect the species, we have determined that the sunflower sea star is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout its range. Therefore, we propose to list the sunflower sea star as a threatened species under the ESA. Should the proposed listing be finalized, any protective regulations under section 4(d) of the ESA would be proposed in a separate Federal Register notice. We do not propose to designate critical habitat at this time because it is not currently determinable. We are soliciting information to inform our final listing determination, as well as the development of potential protective regulations and critical habitat designation.

Action & Dates

Action
Proposed rule; request for comments.
Dates
Comments on the proposed rule to list the sunflower sea star must be received by May 15, 2023. Public hearing requests must be made by May 1, 2023.

CFR References

Topics

Endangered and threatened species

Public Comment

Comments Close
2023-05-15

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 Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 223 [Docket No. 230309-0070; RTID 0648-XR120] AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: We, NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review for the sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, in response to a petition to list this species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Based on the best scientific and commercial information available, including the draft status review report, and after taking into account efforts being made to protect the species, we have determined that the sunflower sea star is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout its range. Therefore, we propose to list the sunflower sea star as a threatened species under the ESA. Should the proposed listing be finalized, any protective regulations under section 4(d) of the ESA would be proposed in a separate Federal Register notice. We do not propose to designate critical habitat at this time because it is not currently determinable. We are soliciting information to inform our final listing determination, as well as the development of potential protective regulations and critical habitat designation. DATES: Comments on the proposed rule to list the sunflower sea star must be received by May 15, 2023. Public hearing requests must be

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Related Documents

Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.

Full Document

Citation: 88 FR 16212