[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22973]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AB73

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed 
Determination of Endangered Status for the Alabama Sturgeon With 
Critical Habitat; Notice of Comment Period Extension

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of comment period extension.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposed 
endangered status for the Alabama sturgeon (Schphirhynchus suttkusi) 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), on June 15, 
1993, and extended the deadline for a final decision until December 15, 
1994. The present comment period ends September 15, 1994, and is 
extended an additional 30 days with this notice. The Service seeks 
additional comment on only the scientific point of whether or not this 
sturgeon still exists.

DATES: All comments received by October 17, 1994, will be considered in 
the final decision.

ADDRESSES: All comments on this proposed rule should be sent to U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville Field Office, 330 Ridgefield 
Court, Asheville, North Carolina 28806. The complete administrative 
file for this rule is available for inspection, by appointment, during 
normal business hours at this office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard G. Biggins at the above 
Asheville address (704/665-1195; Ext. 228) or Mr. Robert S. Butler, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, 
Jacksonville, Florida 32216 (904/232-2580).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In the June 15, 1993, Federal Register (58 FR 33148), the Service 
proposed a rule to list the Alabama sturgeon as endangered with 
critical habitat. Through associated notifications, interested parties 
were requested to submit factual reports and information that might 
contribute to the development of a final to list the Alabama sturgeon 
with critical habitat. There were several public comment periods, the 
last of which ended February 15, 1994.
    Under Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533), the Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) has 1 year to finalize a proposed rule to list a 
species as endangered or threatened. Section 4(b)(6)(B), as implemented 
at 50 CFR 424.17(a)(iv), allows the Service to extend the deadline for 
a period of 6 months if there is substantial disagreement among 
scientists knowledgeable about the species concerned regarding the 
sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to the 
determination or revision concerned.
    On June 21, 1994 (59 FR 31970), the Service extended the deadline 
until December 15, 1994, because of the scientific uncertainty over 
whether the sturgeon still exists, and reopened the comment period 
until September 15, 1994. In that notice, the Service determined for 
the purposes of the Act that Scaphirhynchus suttkusi warrants 
recognition as a valid species (59 FR 31972).
    In an effort to obtain additional information from the scientific 
community on the existence of the sturgeon, the Service further extends 
the present comment period until October 17, 1994. This date allows 
approximately 8 weeks for Service to compile all new information and 
comments, review previous comments, and process the final decision 
document before publication by December 12, 1994. Besides this comment 
period for additional scientific information, the Service will be 
conducting further sampling surveys on portions of the Alabama River 
where sturgeon might remain; these will be made through early November 
1994 or later as river conditions permit.

Public Comments

    The Service is primarily seeking comments presenting scientific 
information on the issue of whether the species continues to exist, in 
particular, from the scientific community. Comments may also be made as 
to what information would be needed to substantiate the extinction of 
this species if the commenter believes this is still a question. All 
previous comments (orally at public hearings or written) submitted 
since June 15, 1993, will be considered in the final decision, which is 
due no later than December 15, 1994.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

    Dated: September 12, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-22973 Filed 9-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M