[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 212 (Monday, November 3, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59334-59335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28981]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of
Comment Period for Additional Information Relative to the Status of the
Lesser Prairie-Chicken
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Reopening of public comment period
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SUMMARY: On July 8, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
published a positive 90-day finding on a petition to list the lesser
prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) as threatened under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, and requested that
any additional information be submitted by September 8, 1997. The
Service has been asked by the Lesser Prairie-chicken Interstate Working
Group to reopen the comment period to allow for submission of a
conservation strategy for the lesser prairie-chicken.
Thus, the Service announces that it will reopen the comment period
to allow additional time for submission of information regarding the
status, population trend, distribution, and habitat use of the lesser
prairie-chicken.
DATES: The comment period, which originally closed on September 8,
1997, is reopened and now closes on December 3, 1997. To be considered
in the 12-month finding for this petition, additional information on
the lesser prairie-chicken should be submitted to the Service by
December 3, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Information, comments, or questions should be sent to the
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services
Field Office, 222 S. Houston, Suite A, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127-8909. The
petition finding and supporting data are available for public
inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the above
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Brabander, Field Supervisor, at
the above address, or telephone (918) 581-7458 ext. 224.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.), requires that the Service make an initial finding within
90 days, if practicable, on whether a petition to list, delist, or
reclassify a species presents substantial scientific or commercial
information to indicate that the petitioned action may be warranted. A
petition to list the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus
pallidicinctus) as threatened was received by the Service on October 6,
1995, from the Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Boulder, Colorado, and
Marie E. Morrissey. On July 8, 1997 (62 FR 36482), the Service
published a 90-day finding on that petition. The finding stated that
the petition contained substantial information to indicate that listing
under the Act may be warranted, and announced that the Service would
conduct a thorough status review of the species in conjunction with the
affected states. In addition, the Service requested that any additional
information on lesser prairie-chicken population abundance, population
trends, distribution, and use of habitats be submitted to the Service
by September 8, 1997.
On September 3, 1997, the Service received a request from the
Lesser Prairie-chicken Interstate Working Group (Working Group) to
extend or reopen the comment period to allow this group additional time
to submit a Conservation Plan for the lesser prairie-chicken. The
Working Group stated in their letter that they are currently editing
the first draft of a conservation strategy that contains goals,
objectives, and action items that will significantly reduce the threats
to the species.
This notice reopens the comment period for submission of
information on the status of the species throughout its range until
December 3, 1997. The Service invites the public to submit additional
information on the population abundance, population trends,
distribution, use of habitats including native prairie and cropland,
and factors documented to influence population abundance, distribution,
and habitat use of lesser prairie-chickens.
Authors
This document was prepared by Noreen E. Walsh, at the Service's
Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES above).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.
[[Page 59335]]
Dated: October 28, 1997.
Thomas Bauer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28981 Filed 10-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
