[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 41 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7770-7771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4674]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AD62


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Extension of 
Comment Period for Proposed Establishment of a Nonessential 
Experimental Population of California Condors in Northern Arizona

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice 
that the public comment period is extended for the proposal to 
designate a nonessential experimental population of California condors 
(Gymnogyps californianus) in northern Arizona and southern Utah. This 
population is proposed to be designated as a nonessential experimental 
population in accordance with section 10(j) of the Endangered Species 
Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The extension of the comment period will 
allow all interested parties to submit written comments on the 
proposal.

DATES: The current comment period scheduled to close February 29, 1996 
is now extended through April 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Field Supervisor, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 W. Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, 
Phoenix, Arizona 85021. Comments and materials received will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the above Service address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey A. Humphrey, at the above 
address, 602/640-2720.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Service, in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish 
Department, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, proposes to 
reintroduce California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) into northern 
Arizona. This reintroduction will achieve a primary recovery goal for 
this endangered species, establishment of a second non-captive 
population, spatially disjunct from the non-captive population in 
southern California. Section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (Act) enables the Service to designate certain populations of 

[[Page 7771]]
federally listed species that are released into the wild as 
``experimental.'' This designation can increase the Service's 
flexibility to manage a reintroduced population. Section 10(j) allows 
an experimental population to be treated as a threatened species 
regardless of its designation elsewhere in its range and under section 
4(d) of the Act. The Service has greater discretion in developing 
management programs for threatened species than it has for endangered 
species. Nonessential experimental populations located outside National 
Wildlife Refuges or National Park Service lands are treated, for the 
purpose of section 7 of the Act, as if they are proposed for listing. 
The area proposed for nonessential experimental designation occurs in 
northern Arizona, southern Utah and southeastern Nevada.
    A proposed rule to designate a nonessential experimental population 
of California condors was published in the Federal Register (61 FR 35) 
on January 2, 1996.
    Pursuant to 50 CFR 424.16(c)(2), the Service may extend or reopen a 
comment period upon finding that there is good cause to do so. Full 
participation of the affected public in the experimental population 
designation process, allowing the Service to consider the best 
scientific and commercial data available in making a final 
determination on the proposed action, is deemed as sufficient cause.
    The current comment period on this proposal, which was extended by 
a document published on February 6, 1996 (61 FR 4394), closes on 
February 29, 1996. With the publication of this document, the Service 
further extends the public comment period. Written comments may now be 
submitted until April 1, 1996, to the Service office in the ADDRESSES 
section.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Jeffrey A. Humphrey (see 
ADDRESSES).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531-1544).
Nancy Kaufman,
Regional Director, Region 2, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 96-4674 Filed 2-28-96; 8:45 am]
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