97-29240. Extension of Comment Period on Draft Supplemental Information Regarding the Recovery Plan for the Grizzly Bear (Ursus Arctos horribilis)

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 59877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29240]



[[Page 59877]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Extension of Comment Period on Draft Supplemental Information 
Regarding the Recovery Plan for the Grizzly Bear (Ursus Arctos 
horribilis)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice: extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service provides notice that the comment 
period is being extended for commenting on draft supplemental 
information to the recovery plan for the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos 
horribilis). All interested parties that have not done so are invited 
to submit comments on this information.

DATES: Comments on the draft supplemental information must be received 
on or before December 1, 1997, to ensure they receive consideration by 
the Service.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials regarding this information 
should be sent to the Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator. U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, University Hall, Room 309, University of Montana, 
Missoula, MT 59812.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Christopher Servheen, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator (see 
ADDRESSES above), at telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Service approved the revised 
Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan on September 10, 1993. In May 1994 The Fund 
For Animals, Inc., and 22 other organizations and individuals filed 
suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia over the 
adequacy of the Plan approved in 1993. Later in May 1994 the National 
Audubon Society and 19 other organizations and individuals also filed 
suit in the same court. The two cases were eventually consolidated. In 
September 1995 the court issued an opinion. The motions for summary 
judgment of both the plaintiffs and the defendants were granted in part 
and denied in part. The court ordered the Service to reconsider certain 
portions of the Plan, and to provide supplemental information. The 
information presented in the document being made available for review 
includes supplemental information that the Service was to provide and 
the results of its reconsideration.
    Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended in 1988, requires that public 
notice and an opportunity for public review and comment be provided 
during recovery plan development. The Service will consider all 
information presented during a public comment period prior to approval 
of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other Federal 
agencies also will take these comments into account in the course of 
implementing approved recovery plans.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the supplemental 
information described above. All comments received by December 1, 1997, 
will be considered prior to finalization of the information. 
Appropriate portions of the information will be appended to, and become 
part of, the Plan.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

    Dated: October 29, 1997.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, CO.
[FR Doc. 97-29240 Filed 11-4-97; 8:45 am]
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