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(10-10-96) Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of

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 [Federal Register: October 10, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 198)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 53186-53187]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status in Arizona and Threatened Status in Texas for the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of reopening of comment period.


SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) gives notice that the comment period will be reopened on the proposed rule to list the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum) as an endangered species in Arizona with critical habitat and as threatened in Texas. The reopening of the comment period will allow all interested parties to submit written comments on the proposal.

DATES: The comment period for this proposal will be reopened on October 10, 1996 and will close on November

[[Page 53187]]

12, 1996. Comments must be received by the closing date. Any comments that are received after the closing date may not be considered in the final decision on the proposal.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Office, 2321 W. Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021-4951. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above Service address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Richardson, Phoenix Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 602/640-2720; facsimile 602/640-2730).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The breeding range of the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl extends from south-central Arizona south through western Mexico, and from southern Texas south through northeastern Mexico. Within these regions, the species occurs in riverbottom woodlands, coastal plain oak associations, thornscrub, and Sonoran desert scrub. The cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl is threatened to varying degrees across its range by loss and modification of habitat, lack of adequate protective regulations, and other factors. A proposed rule to list this species as endangered with critical habitat in Arizona and as threatened in Texas was published in the Federal Register (59 FR 63975) on December 12, 1994. The proposed rule includes additional information on the species, its habitat requirements, and causes of decline. Pursuant to 50 CFR 424.16(c)(2), the Service may extend or reopen a comment period upon finding that there is good cause to do so. Full participation of the affected public in the species listing process and allowing the Service to consider the best scientific and commercial data available in making a final determination on the proposed action, are deemed as sufficient cause. This comment period is being reopened to allow for the identification and consideration of data that may have been collected since the passage of Public Law 104-6 and the resulting moratorium on final listings of endangered or threatened wildlife and plants which suspended efforts to finalize the listing determination for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl.
The comment period on the proposal was originally opened December 12, 1994, through April 11, 1995, and was reopened May 1, through May 30, 1995. Public hearings were held in Tucson, Arizona, on May 8, 1995, and Weslaco, Texas, on May 10, 1995. Legal notices announcing this comment period reopening will be published in newspapers concurrently with the Federal Register notice. Written comments must be submitted on or before November 12, 1996 to the Service office in the ADDRESSES section.

Author

The primary author of this notice is Jeffrey A. Humphrey (see ADDRESSES section).

Authority

The authority for this action is 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544.

Dated: October 4, 1996.
Lynn B. Starnes,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 96-26044 Filed 10-9-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

 
 


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