[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47195-47196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22460]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of
Comment Period for the Notice of Intent To Clarify the Role of Habitat
in Endangered Species Conservation
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice: reopening of comment period.
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SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) reopen the comment
period on our notice of intent to develop policy or guidance and/or to
revise regulations, if necessary, to clarify the role of habitat in
endangered species conservation. We received several requests to extend
or reopen the comment period. We solicit public
[[Page 47196]]
comments, and we will analyze and incorporate additional comments
received during this comment period, as well as those we received
during the previous comment period, into new proposed guidance as
appropriate.
DATES: We will accept comments on this guidance until October 29, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments regarding this guidance to the Chief,
Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1849 C
Street, NW, Mailstop ARLSQ-420, Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Gloman, Chief, Division of
Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 703-358-2171 (see
ADDRESSES section).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 14, 1999 (64 FR 31871), we published a notice of our intent
to develop policy or guidance and/or to revise regulations, if
necessary, to clarify the role of habitat in endangered species
conservation. In that notice, we sought comments relative to the
benefits of the designation of critical habitat (beyond that of
listing) and what considerations should be included in our prudency
determinations. We also requested comments and suggestions relative to
how we can effectively streamline the process of determining and
designating critical habitat and specifically whether and how our
existing regulations might or should be changed to accomplish this.
Additionally, we requested comments and suggestions on possible
legislative actions that might improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of the critical habitat process.
Public Comments Solicited
We reopen the comment period on this notice in order to provide
additional time for interested parties to comment on this important
issue. We will take into consideration any comments and additional
information received and will announce proposed guidance after the
close of the public comment period and as promptly as possible after
all comments have been reviewed and analyzed. We will make available
for your review and comment any guidance, policy, or regulatory changes
that are developed.
Authority
The authority for this notice is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: August 19, 1999.
Marshall P. Jones,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22460 Filed 8-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
