[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 198 (Thursday, October 10, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53186-53187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26044]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status in Arizona and Threatened 
Status in Texas for the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; 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 will be reopened on the proposed rule to list the 
cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum) as an 
endangered species in Arizona with critical habitat and as threatened 
in Texas. The reopening of the comment period will allow all interested 
parties to submit written comments on the proposal.

DATES: The comment period for this proposal will be reopened on October 
10, 1996 and will close on November

[[Page 53187]]

12, 1996. Comments must be received by the closing date. Any comments 
that are received after the closing date may not be considered in the 
final decision on the proposal.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Supervisor, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Office, 2321 W. Royal 
Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021-4951. 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: Mary Richardson, Phoenix Ecological 
Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 602/640-2720; 
facsimile 602/640-2730).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The breeding range of the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl extends from 
south-central Arizona south through western Mexico, and from southern 
Texas south through northeastern Mexico. Within these regions, the 
species occurs in riverbottom woodlands, coastal plain oak 
associations, thornscrub, and Sonoran desert scrub. The cactus 
ferruginous pygmy-owl is threatened to varying degrees across its range 
by loss and modification of habitat, lack of adequate protective 
regulations, and other factors. A proposed rule to list this species as 
endangered with critical habitat in Arizona and as threatened in Texas 
was published in the Federal Register (59 FR 63975) on December 12, 
1994. The proposed rule includes additional information on the species, 
its habitat requirements, and causes of decline.
    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 species listing process and 
allowing the Service to consider the best scientific and commercial 
data available in making a final determination on the proposed action, 
are deemed as sufficient cause. This comment period is being reopened 
to allow for the identification and consideration of data that may have 
been collected since the passage of Public Law 104-6 and the resulting 
moratorium on final listings of endangered or threatened wildlife and 
plants which suspended efforts to finalize the listing determination 
for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl.
    The comment period on the proposal was originally opened December 
12, 1994, through April 11, 1995, and was reopened May 1, through May 
30, 1995. Public hearings were held in Tucson, Arizona, on May 8, 1995, 
and Weslaco, Texas, on May 10, 1995. Legal notices announcing this 
comment period reopening will be published in newspapers concurrently 
with the Federal Register notice. Written comments must be submitted on 
or before November 12, 1996 to the Service office in the ADDRESSES 
section.

Author

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

Authority

    The authority for this action is 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544.

    Dated: October 4, 1996.
Lynn B. Starnes,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 96-26044 Filed 10-9-96; 8:45 am]
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