[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9620]
[[Page 17981]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AE40
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, Notice of
Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the
Riparian Brush Rabbit and Riparian Woodrat
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule, notice of reopening 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
the reopening of the comment period for the proposed endangered status
for the riparian brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) and the
riparian woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes). The comment period has been
reopened to acquire additional information on the biology,
distribution, and status of the riparian brush rabbit and riparian
woodrat in the northern San Joaquin Valley, California.
DATES: Comments received by May 28, 1998, will be considered by the
Service.
ADDRESSES: Written comments, materials and data, and available reports
and articles concerning this proposal should be sent directly to the
Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 130, Sacramento,
California 95821. Comments and materials received will be available for
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Windham, at the address listed
above (telephone 916/979-2725, facsimile 916/979-2723.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The riparian brush rabbit and the riparian woodrat are both
distinct subspecies that inhabit riparian communities along the lower
portions of the San Joaquin and Stanislaus Rivers in the northern San
Joaquin Valley, California. Only a single remaining population of each
subspecies has been confirmed, at Caswell Memorial State Park.
Potential threats to these subspecies include flooding, wildfire,
predation, and other random factors. On November 21, 1997 (62 FR
62276), the Service published a proposed rule proposing endangered
status for the riparian brush rabbit and the riparian woodrat. The
original comment period closed January 21, 1998.
Today, riparian forests of the lower San Joaquin River and its
tributaries outside of Caswell Memorial State Park have nearly been
eliminated. The remaining habitat is small, narrow forest patches
confined within the levees. These areas flood completely during major
storm events. Due to the fact that these remaining areas of habitat are
small, isolated, and subject to periodic prolonged flooding, their
ability to support viable populations of these subspecies over the
long-term is of concern.
Since the close of the comment period, additional surveys for these
species have been conducted within their only known location at Caswell
Memorial State Park. The Service believes that, given the flood events
of 1997 and 1998, consideration of this and any other new information
is significant to make the final status determination for the riparian
brush rabbit and the riparian woodrat. For this reason, the Service
particularly seeks information concerning:
(1) The size, number, or distribution of populations of these
subspecies; and
(2) Other biological, commercial, or other relevant data on any
threat (or lack thereof) to these subspecies.
Written comments may be submitted until May 28, 1998, to the
Service office in the ADDRESSES section.
The primary author of this notice is Diane Windham (see ADDRESSES
section).
Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: April 2, 1998.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Regional Director, Region 1.
[FR Doc. 98-9620 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-U
