[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 15452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8766]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AD20


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Special 
Rule for the Conservation of the Northern Spotted Owl on Non-Federal 
Lands

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Extension of Public Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: The Service issued a Draft Environmental Alternatives Analysis 
(EAA) for the proposed special rule for the conservation of the 
northern spotted owl on non-Federal lands in California and Washington, 
which is currently out for public comment. The proposed special rule 
was published in the Federal Register on February 17, 1995 (60 FR 
9484). The comment period for both documents was scheduled to end on 
April 8, 1996. The intent of this document is to extend the comment 
period to June 3, 1996.
    The Service has received numerous requests to extend the comment 
period for these documents from state regulatory agencies, conservation 
groups and industry officials in both Washington and California. In 
addition, the State of Washington has prepared a proposed rule under 
authority of the Washington Timber Practices Board that would address 
impacts of forest practices to the northern spotted owl. The state has 
asked the Service to consider their proposed state rule as a possible 
alternative to the current special rule proposed by the Service. The 
Service seeks additional comments from the interested public, agencies, 
and interest groups on the Draft EAA, the proposed special rule, and on 
the State of Washington's proposed rule as a possible alternative to 
the rule currently proposed by the Fish and Wildlife.

DATES: The comment period for written comments is extended until June 
3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this Draft Environmental 
Alternatives Analysis and the proposed rule should be sent to Mr. 
Michael J. Spear, Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181. The 
complete file for this proposed rule will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment during normal business hours, at the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Technical Support for Forest 
Resources, 333 S.W. 1st Avenue, 4th Floor, Portland, Oregon 97204, 
(503/326-6218).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Curt Smitch, Assistant Regional 
Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 3704 Griffin Lane 
S.E., Suite 102, Olympia, Washington 98501, (206/534-9330); or Ron 
Crete, Office of Technical Support for Forest Resources, 333 S.W. 1st 
Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181, (503/326-6218).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has prepared a draft document 
called an Environmental Alternatives Analysis (EAA) that describes and 
analyzes the potential environmental effects of the proposed special 
rule and six alternatives for the conservation of the northern spotted 
owl on non-Federal lands in Washington and California. Each alternative 
would revise to varying degrees the Federal prohibitions and exceptions 
regarding the incidental take of spotted owls on non-Federal lands in 
California and Washington. The proposed rule, analyzed in the Draft EAA 
as Alternative 3, was published in the Federal Register on February 17, 
1995 (60 FR, No. 33, Page 9484).
    In addition, the State of Washington has prepared a proposed rule 
to address the impacts of forest practices on northern spotted owls in 
that state. The state's proposed rule is similar in many ways to the 
Service's proposed 4(d) rule, although there are some differences. The 
state has asked the Service to consider the state rule as an 
alternative to the Service's current proposed rule.
    The Service is in the process of analyzing the state rule, and 
plans to publish in the Federal Register within two weeks a summary of 
the state's rule and a comparison of that rule with the Service's 
proposed rule. The state's comment period for their proposed rule has 
expired, however, the Service is interested in receiving comment from 
the interested public regarding the possibility of the Washington state 
rule as an alternative to the Service's currently proposed special 
rule. To receive a copy of the State of Washington proposed rule and 
the state's Draft Environmental Impact Statement, write to Washington 
State Department of Natural Resources, Forest Practices Division, P.O. 
Box 47012, Olympia, WA 98504-7012, Attn: Judith Holter.
    The Service's Draft EAA, including all maps, tables, charts, and 
graphs, remains available on the Internet's World Wide Web at http://
www.r1.fws.gov/4deaa/welcome.html.

    Dated: April 3, 1996.
Don Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1, 
Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 96-8766 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am]
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