[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20051]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Development of Permit Policy for Import of Giant Pandas; 
Suspension of Consideration of Giant Pandas Import Permit Applications, 
and a Review of Existence Policy on Giant Panda Import Permits

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) gives notice that 
the comment period on the development of the policy for import of giant 
panda will be reopened for 60 days to obtain further comments, and a 
public working meeting or meetings will be used to assist the Service 
in formulating the draft policy.

DATES: Public comments on this notice will be accepted until August 30, 
1994. A public working meeting will be held August 23, 1994, at 8:30 
a.m. in Room 200 at 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203 
and at its conclusion, a second meeting may be scheduled prior to the 
close of the comment period.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted to the Chief of the Office of 
Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North 
Fairfax Drive, Room 420(c), Arlington, Virginia 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Charles W. Dane, Chief, Office of Scientific Authority, at the 
above address, or call (703) 358-2093.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of May 4, 1994 (59 
FR 23077-23078), the Service announced the suspension of the review and 
processing of all future import permit applications of giant pandas 
(Ailuropoda melanoleuca) for temporary exhibition and/or captive-
breeding loans until it has completed an evaluation of available 
information and existing policies and guidelines relating to the import 
of giant pandas and has published a new policy. A public meeting was 
held May 26, 1994, to assist the Service in formulation of the draft 
policy. The original comment period ended on June 30, 1994. The Service 
received a request from the World Wildlife Fund, Washington, D.C., to 
extend the comment period to allow for broader input on multiple issues 
related to giant panda conservation and trade. Interested organizations 
and the public are invited to comment on concerns as outlined in the 
May 4 Federal Register and any other issues related to panda 
conservation.
    As part of the extended review process, the Service will convene a 
public working meeting on August 23, 1994 (see DATES section) and 
perhaps another meeting to be announced at the end of the August 23, 
1994, meeting and whose time, date, and location may also be learned by 
contracting Dr. Charles Dane, Chief, Office of Scientific Authority at 
703-358-1708 during the morning on August 24, 1994.

    Authority: The authority for this action is the Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species (TIAS 8249) and the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)

    Dated: August 9, 1994.
Robert P. Davison,
Deputy Assistant Secretary--Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 94-20051 Filed 8-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M