[Federal Register: March 10, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 48)] [Proposed Rules]

[Page 12959-12962] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access

[wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10mr00-24]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Parts 223 and 224 [Docket No. 000303059-0059-01; I.D. No.021700B] RIN No. 0648-XA49 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings for a Petition to List North American Populations of Smalltooth Sawfish and Largetooth Sawfish as Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of petition findings; request for information and comments.

SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces 90-day findings for a petition to add North American populations of smalltooth sawfish and largetooth sawfish to the List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife. NMFS finds that the petition and information available in NMFS records indicate that listing North American populations of smalltooth sawfish as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) may be warranted; and do not indicate that listing North American populations of largetooth sawfish as endangered may also be warranted. NMFS is now initiating a status review of smalltooth sawfish to determine if the petitioned action for that species is warranted. NMFS will maintain the largetooth sawfish as a candidate species, and continue to solicit more information regarding this species to resolve doubts regarding its range and taxonomy.

DATES: The findings announced in this document were made on March 6, 2000. Comments and information related to this petition finding must be received by May 9, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Information and comments concerning these petition findings should be submitted to

Charles A. Oravetz,
Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division,
National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office,
9721 Executive Center Drive North,
St. Peterburg, Florida 33702-2432.

The petition, findings, supporting data, and comments are available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Lee, NMFS Southeast Region, (727)570-5312; or Marta Nammack, NMFS Office of Protected Resources, (301) 713-1401.