The notice announcing these findings is on public view at the Federal Register.
Five of the 90-day findings concern species in California and Nevada. The Service determined that the petitions presented substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that ESA protections may be warranted for the Mojave shoulderband snail, Clear Lake hitch, Relict dace, San Joaquin flower-loving fly, and Western pond turtle.
The findings do not mean that the Service has decided to grant federal protections to these species. Rather, the findings will trigger a more thorough review of all the biological information available for the species. To ensure the status reviews are comprehensive, the Service is looking for information from the public.
Comments on the 90-day findings and information about the species may be submitted online at the Federal eRulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov, or by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: [Insert appropriate docket number]; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
The docket numbers for these species are:
Mojave shoulderband snail – FWS–R8–ES–2015–0021
Clear Lake hitch – FWS–R8–ES–2015–0017
Relict dace – FWS–R8–ES–2015–0022
San Joaquin flower-loving fly – FWS–R8–ES–2015–0023
Western pond turtle – FWS–R8–ES–2015–0024
The Service is seeking information about the species’ biology, range, and population trends including habitat requirements; genetics and taxonomy; historical and current range including distribution patterns; historical and current population levels, current and projected trends; and past and ongoing conservation measures for the species, its habitat, or both.
Additionally, the Service is requesting data for the species on what may constitute physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species, where these features are currently found, and whether any of these features may require special management considerations or protection. The Service is interested in information on specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species that are essential for the conservation of the species and what critical habitat, if any, should be proposed for designation if the species is proposed for listing.
