What is the process spelled out in the Endangered Species Act for evaluating petitions to list a species?
A. The Act requires that the Service make a finding on whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species presents substantial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. This finding is based on information contained in the petition, supporting information submitted with the petition, and information otherwise available to the Service at the time of the finding. To the maximum extent practicable, the Service makes this finding within 90 days of the receipt of the petition and publishes this 90-day finding promptly in the Federal Register. If the Service finds that substantial information is presented, it commences a review of the status of the species which is to be completed, if feasible, within 12 months of receipt of the petition. In this 12-month finding, the Service determines whether listing is warranted. Q. How was the 2004 listing petition different from the 2000 petition? A. Much of the 2004 petition was identical to the earlier petition, but
