[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 88 (Monday, May 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11088]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 9, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Public Hearing and
Reopening of Public Comment Period on Proposed Critical Habitat for the
Marbled Murrelet
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing and extension of public
comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended, (Act) gives notice that a public
hearing will be held on the proposal to designate critical habitat in
Washington, Oregon, and California for the marbled murrelet
(Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus). The hearing will allow all
interested parties to submit oral and written comments on the proposal.
The public comment period will be reopened until June 9, 1994.
DATES: A public hearing will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m on May 24, 1994, in North Bend, Oregon. Each
session will begin with a presentation on the proposal, after which a
panel of Fish and Wildlife Service staff will answer questions and take
verbal comments on the proposal from people who have registered to
speak. The public comment period will be reopened until June 9, 1994.
ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the North Bend Community
Center, 2222 Broadway, North Bend, Oregon. Written comments and
materials may be submitted at the hearing and may be sent to the
Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological
Services, 911 Northeast 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97232. Comments
and materials received will be available for public inspection, by
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dale Hall, Assistant Regional
Director for Ecological Services at the above address (503/231-6159).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The marbled murrelet is a small seabird of
the Alcidae family that feeds on small fish in near-shore marine waters
and nests in mature and old-growth forests up to 50 miles inland. The
subspecies ranges from the Aleutian Archipelago in Alaska to central
California. The subspecies is listed as threatened in Washington,
Oregon, and California.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 birds are estimated in Washington, Oregon,
and California. Estimated recruitment rates of juvenile birds are
extremely low, indicating a declining population. The species is
primarily threatened by historic and ongoing loss of forest nesting
habitat, with additional mortality from gill-net fishery operations and
oil spills.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed on January 27, 1994,
(59 FR 3811) to designate critical habitat in Washington, Oregon, and
California, for the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus
marmoratus), a threatened species under the Act. Proposed critical
habitat units are located on Federal lands.
Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. et seq.),
requires that a public hearing be held if it is requested within 45
days of the publication of a proposed rule. In response to the proposed
rule, Cary J. Jones, Executive Director, Douglas Timber Operators,
requested a public hearing in a letter dated March 14, 1994. As a
result, the Service has scheduled a public hearing at North Bend
Community Center, 2222 Broadway, North Bend, Oregon on May 24, 1994.
Those parties wishing to make a statement for the record should
bring a copy of their statement to present to the Service at the start
of the hearing. Oral statements and questions may be limited in length,
if the number of parties present at the hearing necessitates such a
limitation. There are, however, no limits on the length of written
comments or materials presented at the hearing or mailed to the
Service. Written comments will be given the same weight as oral
comments. Written comments must be submitted at the hearing or mailed
to the address given in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The
comment period closes on June 9, 1994.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C.
4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500; unless otherwise noted).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting, and
recordkeeping requirement, and Transportation.
Dated: May 2, 1994.
Marvin L. Plenert,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11088 Filed 5-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
