[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]
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