[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 67041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33408]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AE06
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of
Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the Preble's Meadow
Jumping Mouse
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of public comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service provides notice that the comment
period on the Service's proposal to list the Preble's meadow jumping
mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) as endangered throughout its range (62
FR 14093, March 25, 1997) is reopened as of December 23, 1997. The
Service is soliciting any new information or comments on the proposed
listing of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse. The Service notes that
information and data collected since the publication of the proposed
rule has been or will be provided to the Service, and will become part
of the record for the Service's evaluation of the proposed listing.
This information includes surveys that evaluate the status of the mouse
at various locations and a report on habitat requirements.
DATES: The public comment period is reopened for 30 days. All comments
should be received on or before January 22, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials should be sent to the
Colorado Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box
25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225. Comments and
materials received will be available for inspection, by appointment,
during normal business hours, at the Fish and Wildlife Service's
Colorado Field Office, 755 Parfet Street, Suite 361, Lakewood,
Colorado.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LeRoy W. Carlson, Colorado Field Supervisor, telephone 303/275-2370
(see ADDRESSES section).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Preble's meadow jumping mouse, a small rodent in the family
Zapodidae, is known to occur only in eastern Colorado and southeastern
Wyoming. It lives primarily in heavily vegetated riparian habitats.
Habitat loss and degradation caused by agricultural, residential,
commercial, and industrial development have resulted in concern over
its continued existence.
On March 25, 1997, the Service published a proposed rule (62 FR
14093) to list the Preble's meadow jumping mouse as an endangered
species without critical habitat. On May 5, 1997, the Service extended
the comment period through July 28, 1997, and announced three public
hearings, which were held on May 19, 21, and 22, 1997 (62 FR 24387).
The Service received additional written comments during that comment
period, which are being reviewed by the Service in making its final
determination whether to list the Preble's meadow jumping mouse as
endangered. The Service's conclusion must include an evaluation of the
best scientific and commercial data available, i.e., species abundance,
new data received during the comment period, re-evaluation of existing
data, and efforts being taken to protect the species.
To assist in its analysis of species status, the Service requests
any comments that have not already been submitted, which provide new
information or data, and/or reflect the information and data that has
become available since the publication of the proposed rule. The
Service (see ADDRESSES) can provide guidance on the availability of
additional information.
Written comments may be submitted on or before January 22, 1998, to
the Service office identified in the ADDRESSES section above. All
comments must be received before the close of the comment period to be
considered.
Legal notices announcing reopening of the comment period are being
published in newspapers concurrently with this Federal Register notice.
Author: The author of this notice is Peter Plage, Colorado Field
Office (see ADDRESSES above), telephone 303/275-2370.
Authority: Authority for this action is the ESA of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: December 17, 1997.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, Denver,
Colorado.
[FR Doc. 97-33408 Filed 12-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
