Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Determination To Retain the Threatened Status for the Coastal California Gnatcatcher Under the Endangered Species Act

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announces a determination affirming its earlier conclusion (March 30, 1993; 58 FR 16742) that the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), a small, insectivorous songbird, is a distinct subspecies and, thus, meets the definition of a ``species'' pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In addition, the Service affirms its earlier conclusion (58 FR 16742) that the southern limit of this subspecies extends to about 30 deg. north latitude near the vicinity of El Rosario, Baja California, Mexico. Based on these determinations, the Service concludes that its March 30, 1993, decision that the coastal California gnatcatcher is a threatened species was correct. Federal protection for the coastal California gnatcatcher is thus continued.