[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43901-43902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21995]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AE00
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of
Comment Period on 90-Day Finding and Commencement of Status Review for
a Petition To List the Westslope Cutthroat Trout as Threatened
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Reopening of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that
the comment period on the westslope cutthroat trout 90-day finding is
being reopened. All interested parties are invited to submit comments
on this proposal.
DATES: Comments will be accepted until October 13, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Data, information, technical critiques, comments, or
questions relevant to this amended petition should be sent to the
Chief, Branch of Native Fishes Management, Montana Fish and Wildlife
Management Assistance Office, 4052 Bridger Canyon Road, Bozeman,
Montana 59715. The amended petition, its appendices, and bibliography
are available for public inspection, by appointment, at the above
address. Electronic copies of the amended petition and bibliography may
be requested and received via e-mail from lynn__kaeding@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lynn Kaeding, at the above address, or telephone (406) 582-0717.
[[Page 43902]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 10, 1998, the Service published in the Federal Register a
positive 90-day finding on a formal petition to list the westslope
cutthroat trout as threatened throughout its range and designate
critical habitat for this subspecies pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended. Copetitioners were American Wildlands,
Clearwater Biodiversity Project, Idaho Watersheds Project, Inc.,
Montana Environmental Information Center, the Pacific Rivers Council,
Trout Unlimited's Madison-Gallatin Chapter, and Mr. Bud Lilly.
The Service has reviewed the amended petition, as well as other
available information, published and unpublished studies and reports,
and agency files. On the basis of the best scientific and commercial
information available, the Service finds that there is sufficient
information to indicate that listing of the westslope cutthroat trout
as threatened, throughout all or parts of its range, may be warranted.
The Service believes that the decline of westslope cutthroat trout is
due mainly to the destruction and adverse modification of habitat and
the negative effects of stocked, nonnative fish species, as described
above under the listing factors. However, the Service also believes
that the present status of westslope cutthroat trout throughout its
historic range is not well understood, particularly with regard to the
genetic characteristics of many known populations, the possible
occurrence of additional populations in areas that have not been
studied, and the measures now underway to protect remaining
populations. Within 1 year from the date the petition was received, a
finding as to whether the petitioned action is warranted is required by
section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act.
Public Comments Solicited
Oral and written statements concerning the proposed rule will
receive equal consideration by the Service. There are no limits to the
length of written comments presented at the hearing or mailed to the
Service. News released announcing the date, time, and location of the
hearings are being published in newspapers concurrently with this
Federal Register notice.
The previous comment period on this finding closed on August 10,
1998. At the request of the U.S. Forest Service and several State fish
and wildlife agencies, the Service reopens the comment period. Written
comments may not be submitted until October 13, 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.
Author: The author of this notice is Chuck Davis, Regional
Environmental Coordinator. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6,
P.O. Box 25486, DFC, Denver, CO 80225-0486; telephone 303-236-7400
extension 235.
Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: August 10, 1998.
Mary Lou Gessner,
Acting Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 98-21995 Filed 8-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
