{"abstract":"We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce findings on the status of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) rangewide and in the eastern (east of the Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers) and western (west of the Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers) portions of the range under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the gopher tortoise as an endangered or a threatened species rangewide is not warranted. We find that the gopher tortoise in the eastern portion of its range and the gopher tortoise in the western portion of its range meet the criteria of separate distinct population segments (DPS), as defined by our Policy Regarding the Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments Under the Endangered Species Act. We determine the Eastern DPS of the gopher tortoise is not warranted for listing at this time. Further, we confirm that the Western DPS of the gopher tortoise meets the definition of a threatened species. Additionally, this notice serves as our completed 5-year review of the Western DPS of the gopher tortoise. We ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the threats to the gopher tortoise or its habitat at any time.","action":"Notification of findings.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR","name":"Interior Department","id":253,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/interior-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/253","parent_id":null,"slug":"interior-department"},{"raw_name":"Fish and Wildlife Service","name":"Fish and Wildlife Service","id":197,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/fish-and-wildlife-service","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/197","parent_id":253,"slug":"fish-and-wildlife-service"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2022/10/12/2022-21659.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":"17","title":50}],"citation":"87 FR 61834","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":null,"correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"The finding announced in this document was made on October 12, 2022.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2009-0029","FF09E21000 FXES1111090FEDR 223"],"dockets":[{"supporting_documents":[{"title":"Literature Cited (See Attachments)","document_id":"FWS-R4-ES-2009-0029-0073"},{"title":"NOTE TO FILE: Comparison of 2019 Regulations and Previous Policy and Analysis for Gopher Tortoise Findings","document_id":"FWS-R4-ES-2009-0029-0072"},{"title":"Peer and Partner Reviews","document_id":"FWS-R4-ES-2009-0029-0071"},{"title":"Literature Cited (See Attachments)","document_id":"FWS-R4-ES-2009-0029-0070"},{"title":"Literature Cited for  12-Month Finding on Petition to List Gopher Tortoise as Threatened in Eastern Portion of its 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02:15:03 -0400"},"pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-10-12/pdf/2022-21659.pdf","presidential_document_number":null,"proclamation_number":null,"public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-21659.pdf?1665492317","publication_date":"2022-10-12","raw_text_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/text/2022/10/12/2022-21659.txt","regulation_id_number_info":{},"regulation_id_numbers":[],"regulations_dot_gov_info":{"supporting_documents":[{"title":"Literature Cited (See Attachments)","document_id":"FWS-R4-ES-2009-0029-0073"},{"title":"NOTE TO FILE: Comparison of 2019 Regulations and Previous Policy and Analysis for Gopher Tortoise Findings","document_id":"FWS-R4-ES-2009-0029-0072"},{"title":"Peer and Partner Reviews","document_id":"FWS-R4-ES-2009-0029-0071"},{"title":"Literature Cited (See Attachments)","document_id":"FWS-R4-ES-2009-0029-0070"},{"title":"Literature Cited for  12-Month Finding on Petition to List Gopher 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