[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22973]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 15, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AB73
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed
Determination of Endangered Status for the Alabama Sturgeon With
Critical Habitat; Notice of Comment Period Extension
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of comment period extension.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposed
endangered status for the Alabama sturgeon (Schphirhynchus suttkusi)
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), on June 15,
1993, and extended the deadline for a final decision until December 15,
1994. The present comment period ends September 15, 1994, and is
extended an additional 30 days with this notice. The Service seeks
additional comment on only the scientific point of whether or not this
sturgeon still exists.
DATES: All comments received by October 17, 1994, will be considered in
the final decision.
ADDRESSES: All comments on this proposed rule should be sent to U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville Field Office, 330 Ridgefield
Court, Asheville, North Carolina 28806. The complete administrative
file for this rule is available for inspection, by appointment, during
normal business hours at this office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard G. Biggins at the above
Asheville address (704/665-1195; Ext. 228) or Mr. Robert S. Butler,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310,
Jacksonville, Florida 32216 (904/232-2580).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In the June 15, 1993, Federal Register (58 FR 33148), the Service
proposed a rule to list the Alabama sturgeon as endangered with
critical habitat. Through associated notifications, interested parties
were requested to submit factual reports and information that might
contribute to the development of a final to list the Alabama sturgeon
with critical habitat. There were several public comment periods, the
last of which ended February 15, 1994.
Under Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533), the Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) has 1 year to finalize a proposed rule to list a
species as endangered or threatened. Section 4(b)(6)(B), as implemented
at 50 CFR 424.17(a)(iv), allows the Service to extend the deadline for
a period of 6 months if there is substantial disagreement among
scientists knowledgeable about the species concerned regarding the
sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to the
determination or revision concerned.
On June 21, 1994 (59 FR 31970), the Service extended the deadline
until December 15, 1994, because of the scientific uncertainty over
whether the sturgeon still exists, and reopened the comment period
until September 15, 1994. In that notice, the Service determined for
the purposes of the Act that Scaphirhynchus suttkusi warrants
recognition as a valid species (59 FR 31972).
In an effort to obtain additional information from the scientific
community on the existence of the sturgeon, the Service further extends
the present comment period until October 17, 1994. This date allows
approximately 8 weeks for Service to compile all new information and
comments, review previous comments, and process the final decision
document before publication by December 12, 1994. Besides this comment
period for additional scientific information, the Service will be
conducting further sampling surveys on portions of the Alabama River
where sturgeon might remain; these will be made through early November
1994 or later as river conditions permit.
Public Comments
The Service is primarily seeking comments presenting scientific
information on the issue of whether the species continues to exist, in
particular, from the scientific community. Comments may also be made as
to what information would be needed to substantiate the extinction of
this species if the commenter believes this is still a question. All
previous comments (orally at public hearings or written) submitted
since June 15, 1993, will be considered in the final decision, which is
due no later than December 15, 1994.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.
Dated: September 12, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-22973 Filed 9-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
