2019-10379: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Neuse River Waterdog and Endangered Species Status for Carolina Madtom and Proposed Designations of Critical Habitat

Summary

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list two North Carolina species, the Neuse River waterdog (Necturus lewisi) and the Carolina madtom (Noturus furiosus), as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Neuse River waterdog is an aquatic salamander. The Carolina madtom is a freshwater fish. After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing both species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the Neuse River waterdog as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule") and the Carolina madtom as an endangered species under the Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to both species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for both species under the Act. In total, approximately 738 river miles (1,188 river kilometers) in 16 units in North Carolina fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation for the Neuse River waterdog. Approximately 257 river miles (414 river kilometers) in 7 units in North Carolina are being proposed as critical habitat for the Carolina madtom. Finally, we announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designations.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 50 CFR 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants