[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 3301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-857]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AE30
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Public
Hearing and Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status
for Rough Popcornflower
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing and reopening and
extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pursuant to the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), provides notice of a
public hearing on the proposed endangered status for Plagiobothrys
hirtus (rough popcornflower). In addition, the Service has reopened and
extended the comment period to accommodate a public hearing that was
requested by Mr. Danny Lang of Roseburg, Oregon. All parties are
invited to submit comments on this proposal.
DATES: The comment period now closes on February 23, 1998. Any comments
received by the closing date will be considered in the final decision
on this proposal. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February
10, 1998, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the Holiday Inn Express,
375 West Harvard Boulevard, Roseburg, Oregon. Comments and materials
concerning this proposal should be sent to the State Supervisor, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State Office, 2600 S.E. 98th Avenue,
Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97266. Comments and materials received will
be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal
business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Andrew F. Robinson Jr. of the Oregon State Office (see ADDRESSES
section) at (503) 231-6179.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Plagiobothrys hirtus is an annual herb on drier sites, or perennial
herb on wetter sites, that is known from only the interior valley of
the Umpqua River in Douglas County, Oregon. The plant is threatened by
destruction and/or alteration of habitat by development and
hydrological change (e.g., wetland fills, draining, construction);
spring and summer grazing by domestic cattle, horses, and sheep;
roadside maintenance; and competition from native and non-native
species (i.e., succession and encroachment). Comments from the public
regarding the accuracy of this proposed rule are sought, especially
regarding:
(1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning
any threat (or lack thereof) to the species listed above;
(2) The location of any additional populations of the species and
the reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined to be
critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act;
(3) Additional information concerning the range, distribution, and
population sizes of the species; and
(4) Current or planned activities in the subject area and their
possible impacts on the species.
On November 20, 1997, the Service published a rule proposing
endangered status for Plagiobothrys hirtus in the Federal Register (62
FR 61953). The original comment period was to close on January 20,
1998. Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires
that a public hearing be held if it is requested within 45 days of the
publication of the proposed rule. A public hearing request from Mr.
Danny Lang of Roseburg, Oregon was received within the allotted time
period. The Service has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, February
10, 1998, at the Holiday Inn Express in Roseburg, Oregon.
Parties wishing to make statements for the record should bring a
copy of their statements to the hearing. Oral statements may be limited
in length, if the number of parties present at the hearing necessitates
such a limitation. There are no limits to the length of written
comments or materials presented at the hearing or mailed to the
Service. Written comments carry the same weight as oral comments. The
comment period now closes on February 23, 1998. Written comments should
be submitted to the Service Office listed in the ADDRESSES section.
Author
The primary author of this notice is Dr. Andrew F. Robinson Jr.
(see ADDRESSES section).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: January 7, 1998.
Don Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon, Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-857 Filed 1-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
