Endangered and threatened species: Atlantic sturgeon,

[Federal Register: September 21, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 182)]

[Notices]

[Page 50211-50212]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr21se98-41]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 081398A]

Endangered and Threatened Species; Retention of Species on Candidate Species List Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

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

ACTION: Notice of retention of Atlantic sturgeon on list of candidate species.

SUMMARY: NMFS retains Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) on its list of candidate species. In a notice published today in the Federal Register, NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Services) found that listing Atlantic sturgeon under the ESA is not warranted at this time. The finding summarizes the Services' concerns regarding the species. NMFS encourages Federal agencies and other appropriate parties to take Atlantic sturgeon into account in project planning.

DATES: September 15, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marta Nammack or Terri Jordan at (301) 713-1401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a separate Federal Register document published today, the Services find that listing Atlantic sturgeon in the United States as a threatened or endangered species is not warranted at this time. The finding also summarizes the

[[Page 50212]]

Services' concerns regarding the species. NMFS will retain Atlantic sturgeon on its list of candidate species in order to continue to monitor the species' status.

The candidate species list serves to notify the public that NMFS has concerns regarding these species/vertebrate populations that may warrant listing it as a threatened or endangered species in the future, and it facilitates voluntary conservation efforts. NMFS believes it is important to highlight candidate species so that Federal and state agencies, Native American tribes, and the private sector are aware of which species could benefit from proactive conservation efforts and to take these species into account in project planning.

Dated: September 15, 1998. Patricia A. Montanio, Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-25104Filed9-15-98; 4:48 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F