[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26397]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AF03
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Extension of
Comment Period for Proposed Rule to List the Contiguous United States
Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that
the comment period on the proposal to list the contiguous United States
distinct population segment of the Canada Lynx is being extended. All
interested parties are invited to submit comments on this proposal.
DATES: Comments will be accepted until October 14, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal
should be sent to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Montana Field Office, 100 N. Park Avenue, Suite 320, Helena, Montana
59601.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kemper McMaster, Field Supervisor,
Montana Field Office, (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 406/449-5225;
facsimile 406/449-5339).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On July 8, 1998 (63 FR 36994), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) published a proposed rule to list the contiguous United
States distinct population of the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) as
threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This
population segment includes the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan,
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and
Massachusetts. The contiguous United States population segment of the
Canada lynx is threatened by human alteration of forests, low numbers
as a result of past overexploitation, expansion of the range of
competitors (bobcats (Felis rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans)), and
elevated levels of human access into lynx habitat. This rule also lists
the captive population of Canada lynx within the coterminous United
States (lower 48 States) as threatened due to similarity of appearance
and permits the continued export of captive-bred Canada lynx.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service intends that any final action resulting from this
proposal will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore,
comments, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental
agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested
party concerning this proposed rule are solicited.
The previous comment period on this proposal is scheduled to close
on September 30, 1998. To accommodate the Great Lakes Indian Fish and
Wildlife Commission council meeting schedule, the Service extends the
comment period. Written comments may now be submitted until October 14,
1998, to the Service's Montana Field Office (see ADDRESSES section
above). All comments must be received before the close of the comment
period to be considered.
Author
The author of this notice is Lori Nordstrom, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Montana Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: September 25, 1998.
Terry Terrell,
Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 98-26397 Filed 9-29-98; 2:39 pm]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
