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Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for a Petition to List the Alexander Archipelago Wolf as Threatened

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 [Federal Register: February 23, 1995]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding 
for a Petition to List the Alexander Archipelago Wolf as Threatened

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of 12-month petition finding.

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 12-month 
finding for a petition to list the Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis 
lupus ligoni) under the Endangered Species Act, as amended. After 
review of all available scientific information, the Service finds that 
listing this species is not warranted at this time.

DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on February 15, 
1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this petition should be 
sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, 
Alaska, 99503. Comments and materials received will be available for 
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Janet Hohn, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services (see 
ADDRESSES section) (telephone 907/786-3544). [[Page 10057]] 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the Service make a 
finding within 12 months of the date of the receipt of a valid petition 
on whether the petitioned action is (a) not warranted, (b) warranted, 
or (c) warranted but precluded from immediate proposal by other pending 
proposals of higher priority.

    On December 17, 1993, the Service received a petition dated 
December 13, 1993, from the Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Eric Holle 
and Martin J. Berghoffen, to list the Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis 
lupus ligoni). A 90-day finding was made by the Service that the 
petition presented substantial information indicating that the 
requested action may be warranted. The 90-day finding was announced on 
May 20, 1994 (59 FR 26476). A status review was initiated on May 20, 
1994, and the public comment period was open between May 20 and October 
1, 1994.

    The Service has reviewed the petition, the literature cited in the 
petition, other available literature and information, and consulted 
with biologists and researchers familiar with the Alexander Archipelago 
wolf. On the basis of the best scientific and commercial information 
available, the Service finds the petition is not warranted at this 
time.

    In the 90-day finding the Service recognized the petitioners 
concerns for the long-term survival of the Alexander Archipelago wolf; 
however, the best available information indicates that the subspecies' 
population is currently stable. The Alexander Archipelago wolf's range 
lies almost entirely on lands managed by the Tongass National Forest. 
The U.S. Forest Service is evaluating its land management practices 
through the development of interim management guidelines to maintain 
viable populations of native wildlife, and considering long-term 
management actions through revision of the Tongass National Forest Land 
and Resource Management Plan. The Service believes that there is 
opportunity to manage for the long-term viability of the Alexander 
Archipelago wolf through the implementation of interim guidelines and 
the revised Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan. However, it is 
clear by our analysis that without significant changes to the existing 
Tongass National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, the longterm 
viability of the Alexander Archipelago wolf is seriously 
imperiled. The Alexander Archipelago wolf will therefore be retained on 
the Service's list as a category 2 candidate species. If additional 
data become available, the Service may reassess the listing priority or 
the need to list this species.

Authority

    The authority for this section is the Endangered Species Act (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: February 15, 1995.

Mollie H. Beattie,

Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 95-4421 Filed 2-22-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M

 
 

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