[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12730-12731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5810]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AD02


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Document 
Availability, Notice of Public Hearings, and Reopening of Public 
Comment Period

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability, reopening of public comment 
period, notice of public hearings.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces 
availability of a draft economic analysis of its proposal to designate 
critical habitat for the Mexican spotted owl. A comment period is 
opened and public hearings [[Page 12731]] will be held on the analysis 
and the proposal.

DATES: Comment: The original comment period on the proposed rule to 
designate critical habitat extended from December 7, 1994, to March 7, 
1995. The comment period is now reopened until May 8, 1995.
    Hearings: The Service will hold four public hearings at the times 
noted below. Public hearings will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 
following dates: March 22, 1995, in Santa Fe, New Mexico; March 23, 
1995, in Socorro, New Mexico; March 29, 1995, in Tucson, Arizona; and 
March 30, 1995, in Flagstaff, Arizona.

ADDRESSES: Hearings: The public hearings will be held at the following 
places: Santa Fe--Morgan Hall, 310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New 
Mexico; Socorro--Galena Auditorium, New Mexico Institute of Mining and 
Technology, 1 Olive Lane, Socorro, New Mexico; Tucson--Rincon Room, 
Student Union, Second Floor, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; 
Flagstaff--Flagstaff High School Auditorium, 400 West Elm Street, 
Flagstaff, Arizona.
    Documents and comments: Requests for copies of the Service's 
Economic Analysis and comments concerning that document and the 
proposal to designate critical habitat for the Mexican spotted owl 
should be sent to the State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
2105 Osuna NE., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113. Comments and materials 
received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Fowler-Propst, New Mexico 
State Supervisor, at the above address, telephone (505) 761-4525.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Service listed the Mexican spotted owl as a threatened species 
on March 16, 1993 (58 FR 14248). A proposal to designate critical 
habitat was published on December 7, 1994 (59 FR 63162). A total of 
4,770,223 acres was proposed for inclusion in critical habitat.
    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1533 (b)(2)) requires 
the Service to consider economic and other impacts of designating a 
particular area as critical habitat. In a final designation of critical 
habitat, the Service is required to balance the benefits of excluding 
areas against the benefits of including those areas within the 
boundaries of critical habitat. In fulfillment of that requirement, the 
Service has prepared a draft economic analysis of the effects that may 
be caused by the designation of critical habitat. The Service will 
provide a copy of the economic analysis to interested parties upon 
request. The Service will consider the critical habitat designation in 
light of all additional relevant information obtained during the 
comment period before making a final decision with respect to the 
proposed rule.
    The comment period on the proposal is reopened until May 8, 1995, 
to receive views and recommendations on both the proposed designation 
and the draft economic analysis. Public hearings on the proposal and 
the draft economic analysis will be held at the times and places listed 
above. Oral statements at the hearings may be limited to several 
minutes if there are many requests to speak. Oral comments presented at 
the public hearings are given the same weight and consideration as 
written comments. If the public hearings are of insufficient time to 
provide for all who wish to speak, all who are not accommodated will be 
asked to submit their comments in writing. There are, however, no 
limits to the length of written comments or materials presented at the 
hearing or mailed to the Service.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Jennifer Fowler-Propst, New 
Mexico State Supervisor, at the above address.

Authority

    Authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)

    Dated: March 3, 1995.
Edward H. Cynar, II,
Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-5810 Filed 3-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P