[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 88 (Monday, May 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11088]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Public Hearing and 
Reopening of Public Comment Period on Proposed Critical Habitat for the 
Marbled Murrelet

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing and extension of public 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended, (Act) gives notice that a public 
hearing will be held on the proposal to designate critical habitat in 
Washington, Oregon, and California for the marbled murrelet 
(Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus). The hearing will allow all 
interested parties to submit oral and written comments on the proposal. 
The public comment period will be reopened until June 9, 1994.

DATES: A public hearing will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m on May 24, 1994, in North Bend, Oregon. Each 
session will begin with a presentation on the proposal, after which a 
panel of Fish and Wildlife Service staff will answer questions and take 
verbal comments on the proposal from people who have registered to 
speak. The public comment period will be reopened until June 9, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the North Bend Community 
Center, 2222 Broadway, North Bend, Oregon. Written comments and 
materials may be submitted at the hearing and may be sent to the 
Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological 
Services, 911 Northeast 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97232. Comments 
and materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dale Hall, Assistant Regional 
Director for Ecological Services at the above address (503/231-6159).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The marbled murrelet is a small seabird of 
the Alcidae family that feeds on small fish in near-shore marine waters 
and nests in mature and old-growth forests up to 50 miles inland. The 
subspecies ranges from the Aleutian Archipelago in Alaska to central 
California. The subspecies is listed as threatened in Washington, 
Oregon, and California.
    Between 8,000 and 10,000 birds are estimated in Washington, Oregon, 
and California. Estimated recruitment rates of juvenile birds are 
extremely low, indicating a declining population. The species is 
primarily threatened by historic and ongoing loss of forest nesting 
habitat, with additional mortality from gill-net fishery operations and 
oil spills.
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed on January 27, 1994, 
(59 FR 3811) to designate critical habitat in Washington, Oregon, and 
California, for the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus 
marmoratus), a threatened species under the Act. Proposed critical 
habitat units are located on Federal lands.
    Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. et seq.), 
requires that a public hearing be held if it is requested within 45 
days of the publication of a proposed rule. In response to the proposed 
rule, Cary J. Jones, Executive Director, Douglas Timber Operators, 
requested a public hearing in a letter dated March 14, 1994. As a 
result, the Service has scheduled a public hearing at North Bend 
Community Center, 2222 Broadway, North Bend, Oregon on May 24, 1994.
    Those parties wishing to make a statement for the record should 
bring a copy of their statement to present to the Service at the start 
of the hearing. Oral statements and questions may be limited in length, 
if the number of parties present at the hearing necessitates such a 
limitation. There are, however, no limits on the length of written 
comments or materials presented at the hearing or mailed to the 
Service. Written comments will be given the same weight as oral 
comments. Written comments must be submitted at the hearing or mailed 
to the address given in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The 
comment period closes on June 9, 1994.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C. 
4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500; unless otherwise noted).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting, and 
recordkeeping requirement, and Transportation.

    Dated: May 2, 1994.
Marvin L. Plenert,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11088 Filed 5-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P