[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 44883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21391]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF03


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Reopening of 
Comment Period for Proposed Rule To List the Contiguous United States 
Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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

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SUMMARY: We are reopening the comment period on the proposal to list 
the contiguous United States distinct population segment of the Canada 
lynx to invite comment from all interested parties on new information 
contained within a U.S. Forest Service science report that we are 
accepting into the administrative report. This report contains new 
information pertinent to our findings and conclusions of the proposed 
rule of July 8, 1998. The information contained within available 
chapters of this report and all comments received in response to this 
information will be considered in our final decision on whether to list 
the Canada lynx under the Endangered Species Act.

DATES: Comments must be postmarked or emailed by September 24, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal 
should be sent to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Montana Field Office, 100 N. Park Avenue, Suite 320, Helena, Montana 
59601; or email <[email protected]>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kemper McMaster, Field Supervisor (see 
ADDRESSES section) (telephone 406/449-5225, facsimile 406/449-5339). 
The Internet is the fastest method for obtaining a copy of the report. 
Finalized chapters from the report can be retrieved from the Internet 
at <http://www.fs.fed.us/rl>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 8, 1998 (63 FR 36994), we published a proposed rule to list 
the contiguous United States distinct population of the Canada lynx 
(Lynx canadensis) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended. As described in the proposed rule, the range of the 
lynx included portions of States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, 
Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, New 
Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Threats 
to this population segment of the Canada lynx were considered to be 
human alteration of forests, low numbers as a result of past 
overexploitation, expansion of the range of competitors (bobcats (Felis 
rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans)), and elevated levels of human 
access into lynx habitat. The rule also proposed to list the captive 
population of Canada lynx within the coterminous United States (lower 
48 States) as threatened due to similarity of appearance and permitted 
the continued export of captive-bred Canada lynx.
    We published notice of a 6-month extension on the proposed rule to 
list the lynx on July 8, 1999 (64 FR 36836). The final decision on the 
proposal is now due January 8, 2000.

Public Comments Solicited

    We are reopening the comment period on our July 8, 1998, proposal 
to list the contiguous United States distinct population segment of the 
Canada lynx. We are seeking additional comment on our proposal based on 
new information contained within a report, ``The scientific basis for 
lynx conservation in the contiguous United States.'' This report is 
being completed by a team led by Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. 
Forest Service. We are accepting finalized chapters of this report into 
the administrative record. The report contains new information 
pertinent to our findings and conclusions in the proposed rule. The 
information contained within available chapters of this report and all 
comments received in response to this information will be considered in 
our final decision on whether to list the Canadian lynx under the 
Endangered Species Act.
    At this time, three chapters of the report are final and available 
to the public. These three chapters represent substantive new 
information pertinent to the scientific basis for our findings and 
conclusion regarding our final decision on whether to list the Canadian 
lynx under the Endangered Species Act. Additional chapters of the 
report are expected to be finalized and released to the public 
throughout the comment period. This will be the only notice of the 
availability of chapters of this report.
    Finalized chapters from the report can be retrieved from the 
Internet at <http://www.fs.fed.us/rl>. The Internet is the best method 
for making the report rapidly available. If you cannot get the report 
through the Internet, please call the Montana Field Office (see 
ADDRESSES section). Please check this website regularly or call the 
Montana Field Office to obtain new chapters, which will be made 
available as soon as they are finalized. Your written comments on the 
proposal based on new information contained in this report must be 
postmarked or e-mailed by September 24, 1999, to the Montana Office 
(see ADDRESSES section above).

Author

    The author of this notice is Lori Nordstrom (see ADDRESSES 
section.)

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated August 12, 1999.
Mary L. Gessner,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 99-21391 Filed 8-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M