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Proposed Rule2026-01414

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings for 10 Species

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Published

January 26, 2026

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentFish and Wildlife Service

Abstract

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90- day findings on 10 petitions to add species to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions to list the Alvord chub (Siphateles alvordensis), Donner und Blitzen pebblesnail (Fluminicola insolitus), gray cat's-eye (Oreocarya leucophaea), Mount Pinos sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus howardi), mysterious lantern firefly (Photuris mysticalampas), Olympic marmot (Marmota olympus), San Joaquin tiger beetle (Cicindela tranquebarica joaquinensis), stippled studfish (Fundulus bifax), Wilson's phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), and wonder caddisfly (Neothremma prolata) present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this document, we announce that we are initiating status reviews of these species to determine whether the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are comprehensive, we request scientific and commercial data and other information regarding the species and factors that may affect their status. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12-month petition findings, which will address whether or not the petitioned actions are warranted, in accordance with the Act.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3096-3101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01414]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[FXES1111090FEDR-267-FF09E21000]

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings
for 10 Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notification of petition findings and initiation of status
reviews.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90-
day findings on 10 petitions to add species to the Lists of Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions
to list the Alvord chub (Siphateles alvordensis), Donner und Blitzen
pebblesnail (Fluminicola insolitus), gray cat's-eye (Oreocarya
leucophaea), Mount Pinos sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus
howardi), mysterious lantern firefly (Photuris mysticalampas), Olympic
marmot (Marmota olympus), San Joaquin tiger beetle (Cicindela
tranquebarica joaquinensis), stippled studfish (Fundulus bifax),
Wilson's phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), and wonder caddisfly
(Neothremma prolata) present substantial scientific or commercial
information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted.
Therefore, with the publication of this document, we announce that we
are initiating status reviews of these species to determine whether the
petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are
comprehensive, we request scientific and commercial data and other
information regarding the species and factors that may affect their
status. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12-month petition
findings, which will address whether or not the petitioned actions are
warranted, in accordance with the Act.

DATES: These findings were made on January 26, 2026.

ADDRESSES:
Supporting documents: Summaries of the basis for the petition
findings contained in this document are available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under the appropriate docket number (see tables
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). In addition, this supporting
information is available by contacting the appropriate person, as
specified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Status reviews: If you have new scientific or commercial data or
other information concerning the status of, or threats to, the Alvord
chub, Donner und Blitzen pebblesnail, gray cat's-eye, Mount Pinos sooty
grouse, mysterious lantern firefly, Olympic marmot, San Joaquin tiger
beetle, stippled studfish, Wilson's phalarope, and wonder caddisfly, or
their habitats, please provide those data or information by one of the
following methods listed below.
(1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. In the Search box, enter the appropriate docket
number (see table 1 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Then, click on
the ``Search'' button. After finding the correct document, you may
submit information by clicking on ``Comment.''
(2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments
Processing, Attn: [Insert appropriate docket number; see table 1 under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION], U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W,
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
We request that you send information only by the methods described
above. We will post all information we receive on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. This generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide us (see Information Submitted for a
Status Review, below).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species common name Contact person
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alvord chub, Donner und Blitzen Jennifer Siani, Classification
pebblesnail, and wonder caddisfly. Coordinator, Oregon Fish and
Wildlife Office, 503-231-6179,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#472d2229292e21223518342e26292e0721303469202831">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Gray cat's-eye and Olympic marmot. Rebecca Migala, Classification
Coordinator, Washington Fish and
Wildlife Office, 360-997-8296,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88faedeaedebebe9d7e5e1efe9e4e9c8eefffba6efe7fe">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Mount Pinos sooty grouse and San Kim Turner, Acting Field Supervisor,
Joaquin tiger beetle. Sacramento Fish and Wildlife
Office, 916-414-6700,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c4afada99bb79bb0b1b6aaa1b684a2b3b7eaa3abb2">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Mysterious lantern firefly........ Julie Slacum, Division Chief,
Chesapeake Bay Field Office, 410-
215-0260, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6b011e07020e341f0304061b1804054618070a081e062b0d1c18450c041d">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Stippled studfish................. Jeff Powell, Deputy Field
Supervisor, Alabama Ecological
Services Field Office, 251-599-
2014, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#204a4546467f504f57454c4c604657530e474f56">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Wilson's phalarope................ Luke Toso, Acting Project Leader,
North and South Dakota Field
Office, 701-355-8528,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d1bda4bab48ea5bea2be91b7a6a2ffb6bea7">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 3097]]

Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of
hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or
TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals
outside the United States should use the relay services offered within
their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in
the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Information Submitted for Status Reviews

If we find that a petition presents substantial scientific or
commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be
warranted, the Act requires that we promptly commence a review of the
status of the species, and we will subsequently complete a status
review in accordance with our prioritization methodology for 12-month
findings (81 FR 49248; July 27, 2016).
The Alvord chub, Donner und Blitzen pebblesnail, gray cat's-eye,
Mount Pinos sooty grouse, mysterious lantern firefly, Olympic marmot,
San Joaquin tiger beetle, stippled studfish, Wilson's phalarope, and
wonder caddisfly will be assigned a bin number (in coordination with
States and others with relevant information) according to our
prioritization methodology and will be added to a future version of the
National Listing Workplan (domestic species). The workplan provides
transparency and predictability to the public about when the Service
anticipates completing specific findings and actions while allowing for
flexibility to update the workplan when new information changes the
priorities. The National Listing Workplan is available at <a href="https://www.fws.gov/project/national-listing-workplan">https://www.fws.gov/project/national-listing-workplan</a>.
You may submit information concerning the status of, or threats to,
the Alvord chub, Donner und Blitzen pebblesnail, gray cat's-eye, Mount
Pinos sooty grouse, mysterious lantern firefly, Olympic marmot, San
Joaquin tiger beetle, stippled studfish, Wilson's phalarope, and wonder
caddisfly, or their habitats, to be considered during our status review
of the species. We request that you send this information only by the
methods described in ADDRESSES. Please include any supplemental data
with your submission (such as scientific journal articles or other
publications) to allow us to verify any scientific or commercial
information you include. If you submit information via <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, your entire submission--including any personal
identifying information--will be posted on the website.

Background

Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing
regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR part
424) set forth the procedures for adding species to, removing species
from, or reclassifying species on the Federal Lists of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists or List) in 50 CFR part 17.
Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires that we make a finding on
whether a petition to add a species to the List (i.e., ``list'' a
species), remove a species from the List (i.e., ``delist'' a species),
or change a listed species' status from endangered to threatened or
from threatened to endangered (i.e., ``reclassify'' a species) presents
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the
petitioned action may be warranted. To the maximum extent practicable,
we are to make this finding within 90 days of our receipt of the
petition and publish the finding promptly in the Federal Register.
Our regulations establish that substantial scientific or commercial
information with regard to a 90-day petition finding refers to credible
scientific or commercial information in support of the petition's
claims such that a reasonable person conducting an impartial scientific
review would conclude that the action proposed in the petition may be
warranted (50 CFR 424.14(h)(1)(i)). A positive 90-day petition finding
does not indicate that the petitioned action is warranted; the finding
indicates only that the petitioned action may be warranted and that a
full review should occur.
The Act defines an ``endangered species'' as a species that is in
danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its
range and a ``threatened species'' as a species that is likely to
become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout
all or a significant portion of its range. The Act requires that we
determine whether any species is an endangered species or a threatened
species because of any of the five factors described in section 4(a)(1)
of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1)). The five factors are:
(a) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or
curtailment of its habitat or range (Factor A);
(b) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes (Factor B);
(c) Disease or predation (Factor C);
(d) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms (Factor D);
and
(e) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued
existence (Factor E).
These factors represent broad categories of natural or human-caused
actions or conditions that could have an effect on a species' continued
existence. In evaluating these actions and conditions, we look for
those that may have a negative effect on individuals of the species, as
well as other actions or conditions that may ameliorate any negative
effects or may have positive effects.
We use the term ``threat'' to refer in general to actions or
conditions that are known to, or are reasonably likely to, affect
individuals of a species negatively. The term ``threat'' includes
actions or conditions that have a direct impact on individuals (direct
impacts), as well as those that affect individuals through alteration
of their habitat or required resources (stressors). The term ``threat''
may encompass--either together or separately--the source of the action
or condition, or the action or condition itself. However, the mere
identification of any threat(s) may not be sufficient to compel a
finding that the information in the petition is substantial information
indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. The information
presented in the petition must include evidence sufficient to suggest
that these threats may be affecting the species to the point that the
species may meet the definition of an endangered species or threatened
species under the Act.
If we find that a petition presents such information, our
subsequent status review will evaluate all identified threats by
considering the species' expected response and the effects of the
threats--in light of those actions and conditions that will ameliorate
the threats--on an individual, population, and species level. We
evaluate each threat and its expected effects on the species, then
analyze the cumulative effect of the threats on the species as a whole.
We also consider the cumulative effect of the threats in light of those
actions and conditions that will have positive effects on the species,
such as any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation efforts. The
Secretary determines whether the species meets the definition of an
``endangered species'' or a ``threatened species'' only after
conducting this cumulative analysis and describing the expected effect
on the species.
We note that designating critical habitat is not a petitionable
action under the Act. Petitions to designate critical

[[Page 3098]]

habitat (for species without existing critical habitat) are reviewed
under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.) and
applicable Departmental regulations, and are not addressed in this
finding (see 50 CFR 424.14(j)). To the maximum extent prudent and
determinable, any proposed critical habitat will be addressed
concurrently with a proposed rule to list a species, if applicable.

Summaries of Petition Findings

The petition findings contained in this document are listed in the
table below, and the basis for each finding, along with supporting
information, is available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under the
appropriate docket number.

Table 1--Substantial Findings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
URL to docket on
Common name Docket No. https://
www.regulations.gov
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alvord chub................... FWS-R1-ES-2025-00 https://
06. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R1-ES-
2025-0006.
Donner und Blitzen pebblesnail FWS-R1-ES-2024-01 https://
73. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R1-ES-
2024-0173.
Gray cat's-eye................ FWS-R1-ES-2024-01 https://
70. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R1-ES-
2024-0170.
Mount Pinos sooty grouse...... FWS-R8-ES-2024-01 https://
75. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R8-ES-
2024-0175.
Mysterious lantern firefly.... FWS-R5-ES-2024-01 https://
78. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R5-ES-
2024-0178.
Olympic marmot................ FWS-R1-ES-2024-01 https://
71. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R1-ES-
2024-0171.
San Joaquin tiger beetle...... FWS-R8-ES-2025-00 https://
05. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R8-ES-
2025-0005.
Stippled studfish............. FWS-R4-ES-2025-00 https://
02. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R4-ES-
2025-0002.
Wilson's phalarope............ FWS-R6-ES-2024-01 https://
74. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R6-ES-
2024-0174.
Wonder caddisfly.............. FWS-R1-ES-2024-01 https://
72. www.regulations.gov/
docket/FWS-R1-ES-
2024-0172.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Alvord Chub

Species and Range
Alvord chub; Alvord Basin in Harney County, Oregon and Humboldt
County, Nevada.
Petition History
On August 29, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity, requesting that the Alvord chub be listed as a
threatened species or endangered species and critical habitat be
designated for this species under the Act. The petition clearly
identified itself as such and included the requisite identification
information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This
finding addresses the petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding the impacts of water withdrawals and diversions
on the chub's habitat (Factor A), we find that the petition presents
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that
listing the Alvord chub as a threatened or endangered species may be
warranted. The petition also presented information suggesting livestock
grazing, geothermal energy development, impoundments, predation and
competition with nonnative species, climate change, impacts associated
with small and fragmented populations, and inadequacy of existing
regulatory mechanisms may be threats to the Alvord chub. We will fully
evaluate these potential threats during our 12-month status review,
pursuant to the Act's requirement to review the best scientific and
commercial information available when making that finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2025-0006 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Donner und Blitzen Pebblesnail

Species and Range
Donner und Blitzen pebblesnail; Page Springs in the Donner und
Blitzen River drainage, Harney County, Oregon.
Petition History
On February 14, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity, requesting that the Donner und Blitzen
pebblesnail be listed as a threatened species or an endangered species
and critical habitat be designated for this species under the Act. The
petition clearly identified itself as such and included the requisite
identification information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR
424.14(c). This finding addresses the petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding the impacts of groundwater depletion on the
pebblesnail's habitat (Factor A), we find that the petition presents
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that
listing the Donner und Blitzen pebblesnail as a threatened or an
endangered species may be warranted. The petition also presented
information suggesting recreation, Bureau of Land Management
activities, livestock grazing, climate change, drought, wildfire, water
quality degradation, and invasive species may be threats to the Donner
und Blitzen pebblesnail. We will fully evaluate these potential threats
during our 12-month status review, pursuant to the Act's requirement to
review the best scientific and commercial information available when
making that finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2024-0173 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

[[Page 3099]]

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Gray Cat's-Eye

Species and Range
Gray cat's-eye; south-central Washington.
Petition History
On May 2, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity, requesting that gray cat's-eye be emergency
listed as a threatened species or an endangered species and critical
habitat be designated for this species under the Act. The petition
clearly identified itself as such and included the requisite
identification information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR
424.14(c). Listing a species on an emergency basis is not a
petitionable action under the Act, and the question of when to list on
an emergency basis is left to the discretion of the Service. If the
Service determines that the standard for emergency listing in section
4(b)(7) of the Act is met, the Service may exercise that discretion to
take an emergency listing action at any time. Therefore, we are
considering the May 2, 2024, petition as a petition to list the gray
cat's-eye. This finding addresses the petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding loss of sand dune habitat (Factor A), we find
that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial
information indicating that listing the gray cat's-eye as a threatened
or endangered species may be warranted. The petition also presented
information suggesting exotic/noxious plant species, wildfire, off-
highway vehicle usage, hydropower dams, grazing, seed predation, small
population size, climate change, and loss of pollinators may be threats
to the gray cat's-eye. We will fully evaluate these potential threats
during our 12-month status review, pursuant to the Act's requirement to
review the best scientific and commercial information available when
making that finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2024-0170 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Mount Pinos Sooty Grouse

Species and Range
Mount Pinos sooty grouse; Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, and Kern Counties,
California.
Petition History
On June 26, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity, requesting that the Mount Pinos sooty grouse be
listed as a threatened species or an endangered species and critical
habitat be designated for this species under the Act. The petition
clearly identified itself as such and included the requisite
identification information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR
424.14(c). This finding addresses the petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding loss of forested habitat (Factor A), we find that
the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information
indicating that listing the Mount Pinos sooty grouse as a threatened or
endangered species may be warranted. The petition also presented
information suggesting destruction and degradation of meadow habitat,
livestock grazing, recreation, hunting, and climate change may be
threats to the Mount Pinos sooty grouse. We will fully evaluate these
potential threats during our 12-month status review, pursuant to the
Act's requirement to review the best scientific and commercial
information available when making that finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2024-0175 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Mysterious Lantern Firefly

Species and Range
Mysterious lantern firefly; Delaware and Maryland.
Petition History
On March 28, 2023, we received a petition from The Xerces Society
for Invertebrate Conservation, requesting that the mysterious lantern
firefly be listed as an endangered species and critical habitat be
designated for this species under the Act. The petition clearly
identified itself as such and included the requisite identification
information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This
finding addresses the petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding sea level rise (Factor E), we find that the
petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information
indicating that listing the mysterious lantern firefly as a threatened
or endangered species may be warranted. The petition also presented
information suggesting habitat loss and modification, overcollection,
disease and predation, light pollution, pesticide use and other
pollutants, loss of prey, reduced mating opportunities, and invasive
species may be threats to the mysterious lantern firefly. We will fully
evaluate these potential threats during our 12-month status review,
pursuant to the Act's requirement to review the best scientific and
commercial information available when making that finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R5-ES-2024-0178 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Olympic Marmot

Species and Range
Olympic marmot; Olympic Peninsula, Washington.

[[Page 3100]]

Petition History
On May 13, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity, requesting that the Olympic marmot be listed as a
threatened species or an endangered species and critical habitat be
designated for this species under the Act. The petition clearly
identified itself as such and included the requisite identification
information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This
finding addresses the petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding habitat loss and fragmentation (Factor A) and
predation by coyotes (Factor C), we find that the petition presents
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that
listing the Olympic marmot as a threatened or an endangered species may
be warranted. The petition also presented information suggesting
wildfire may be a threat to the Olympic marmot. We will fully evaluate
this potential threat during our 12-month status review, pursuant to
the Act's requirement to review the best scientific and commercial
information available when making that finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2024-0171 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the San Joaquin Tiger Beetle

Species and Range
San Joaquin tiger beetle; Madera, Tulare, Kings Counties,
California.
Petition History
On December 9, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity, requesting that the San Joaquin tiger beetle be
listed as a threatened species or an endangered species and critical
habitat be designated for this species under the Act. The petition
clearly identified itself as such and included the requisite
identification information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR
424.14(c). This finding addresses the petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding habitat loss associated with conversion to
agriculture (Factor A), and regulatory mechanisms to address this
potential threat (Factor D), we find that the petition presents
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that
listing the San Joaquin tiger beetle as a threatened or an endangered
species may be warranted. The petition also presented information
suggesting livestock grazing, groundwater alteration, solar energy
production, overcollection, predation, invasive plant encroachment,
pesticides, effects of small population size, and climate change may be
threats to the San Joaquin tiger beetle. We will fully evaluate these
potential threats during our 12-month status review, pursuant to the
Act's requirement to review the best scientific and commercial
information available when making that finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2025-0005 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Stippled Studfish

Species and Range
Stippled studfish; Tallapoosa River in Coosa, Elmore, Randolph, and
Tallapoosa Counties, and one stream in the Coosa River basin
immediately to the west in Elmore County, Alabama.
Petition History
On July 1, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity requesting that the stippled studfish be listed as
a threatened species or an endangered species and critical habitat be
designated for this species under the Act. The petition clearly
identified itself as such and included the requisite identification
information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This
finding addresses the petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding habitat fragmentation (Factor A), we find that
the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information
indicating that listing the stippled studfish as a threatened or an
endangered species may be warranted. The petition also presented
information suggesting pollution and sedimentation, pipelines, and
increasing temperatures and drought may be threats to the stippled
studfish. We will fully evaluate these potential threats during our 12-
month status review, pursuant to the Act's requirement to review the
best scientific and commercial information available when making that
finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2025-0002 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Wilson's Phalarope

Species and Range
Wilson's phalarope; Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California,
Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Nevada,
North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah,
Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming in the United States; Argentina;
Belize; Bolivia; Brazil; Canada; Chile; Ecuador; Guatemala; Honduras;
Mexico; Nicaragua; Peru; and Uruguay.
Petition History
On March 28, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity; Ryan Carle; Terry Tempest Williams; Benjamin W.
Abbot, Ph.D.; Ron Larson, Ph.D.; Nathan D. Van Schmidt, Ph.D.; Utah
Physicians for a Healthy Environment; Utah Youth

[[Page 3101]]

Environmental Solutions; Mono Lake Committee; and Kyriana Tarr
requesting that Wilson's phalarope be listed as a threatened species
and to concurrently designate critical habitat under the Act. The
petition clearly identified itself as such and included the requisite
identification information for the petitioner, required at 50 CFR
424.14(c). This finding addresses the petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding freshwater diversion leading to declines in prey
resources at primary fall staging habitats in California, Oregon, and
Utah, (Factor A) and regulatory mechanisms to reduce this potential
threat (Factor D), we find that the petition presents substantial
scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the
Wilson's phalarope as a threatened or endangered species may be
warranted. The petition also presented information suggesting that
wintering habitat loss from lithium mining, general habitat loss under
climate change, and reduced salinity following wetland restoration
projects may be threats to Wilson's phalarope. We will fully evaluate
these potential threats during our 12-month status review, pursuant to
the Act's requirement to review the best scientific and commercial
information available when making that finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2024-0174 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

Evaluation of a Petition To List the Wonder Caddisfly

Species and Range
Wonder caddisfly; Wonder Creek, Hood River County, Oregon.
Petition History
On February 12, 2024, we received a petition from the Center for
Biological Diversity requesting that the wonder caddisfly be listed as
an endangered species and critical habitat be designated for this
species under the Act. The petition clearly identified itself as such
and included the requisite identification information for the
petitioner, required at 50 CFR 424.14(c). This finding addresses the
petition.
Finding
We reviewed the petition, sources cited in the petition, and other
readily available information (within the constraints of the Act and 50
CFR 424.14(h)(1)). We considered the credible information that the
petition provided regarding effects of the threats that fall within
factors under the Act's section 4(a)(1) as potentially ameliorated or
exacerbated by any existing regulatory mechanisms or conservation
efforts. Based on our review of the petition and readily available
information regarding the impacts of powerline corridor maintenance to
the caddisfly's habitat (Factor A) and regulatory mechanisms to address
this potential threat (Factor D), we find that the petition presents
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that
listing the wonder caddisfly as an endangered species may be warranted.
The petition also presented information suggesting road and trail
construction and runoff, timber harvest, recreation, drought, wildfire,
and climate change may be threats to the wonder caddisfly. We will
fully evaluate these potential threats during our 12-month status
review, pursuant to the Act's requirement to review the best scientific
and commercial information available when making that finding.
The basis for our finding on this petition and other information
regarding our review of the petition can be found at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2024-0172 under the
Supporting & Related Material section.

Conclusion

On the basis of our evaluation of the information presented in the
petitions under section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act, we have determined that
the petitions summarized above for the Alvord chub, Donner und Blitzen
pebblesnail, gray cat's-eye, Mount Pinos sooty grouse, mysterious
lantern firefly, Olympic marmot, San Joaquin tiger beetle, stippled
studfish, Wilson's phalarope, and wonder caddisfly present substantial
scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned
actions may be warranted. We are, therefore, initiating status reviews
of these species to determine whether the actions are warranted under
the Act. At the conclusion of the status reviews, we will issue
findings, in accordance with section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act, as to
whether the petitioned actions are not warranted, warranted, or
warranted but precluded by pending proposals to determine whether any
species is an endangered species or a threatened species.

Authority

The authority for these actions is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Brian R. Nesvik,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-01414 Filed 1-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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