[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 235 (Thursday, December 5, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 64496-64497] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-30939] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Status Reviews for the Alexander Archipelago Wolf and Queen Charlotte Goshawk AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Status Reviews. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces continuation of rangewide status reviews for the Queen Charlotte [[Page 64497]] goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) and the Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis lupus ligoni). The Service solicits any information, data, comments, and suggestions from the public, other concerned government agencies, the scientific community, industry, or other interested parties concerning the status of these species. DATES: Comments and data from all interested parties must be received by January 21, 1997 to be included in the findings. ADDRESSES: Comments and materials should be sent to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 3000 Vintage Blvd., Suite 201, Juneau, Alaska 99801-7100. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Lindell at the above address (907/586-7240). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Service will issue separate petition findings under the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), on the Queen Charlotte goshawk and the Alexander Archipelago wolf. Queen Charlotte Goshawk The Queen Charlotte goshawk occurs in forested areas throughout coastal mainland and insular areas of British Columbia, Canada, and southeastern Alaska. On May 9, 1994, the Service received a petition to list the Queen Charlotte goshawk as endangered under the Act, from Mr. Peter Galvin of the Greater Gila Biodiversity Project, Silver City, New Mexico, and nine copetitioners including, the Southwest Center for Biological Diversity, the Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Greater Ecosystem Alliance, Save the West, Save America's Forests, Native Forest Network, Native Forest Council, Eric Holle, and Don Muller. On August 26, 1994, the Service announced a 90-day finding (59 FR 44124) that the petition presented substantial information indicating that the requested action may be warranted, and opened a public comment period until November 25, 1994. The Service extended the public comment period until February 28, 1995, through two subsequent Federal Register notices on January 4, 1995 (60 FR 425), and February 24, 1995 (60 FR 10344). The Service issued its 12-month finding on June 29, 1995 (60 FR 33784), indicating that listing the Queen Charlotte goshawk under the Act was not warranted. On July 16, 1995, the petitioners filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue the Service over its 12-month finding, and on November 17, 1995, they filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the not warranted finding made by the Service. As a result of a recent court order the Service is reevaluating the status of the Queen Charlotte goshawk. The Service is requesting any information, data, comments, and suggestions from the public, other concerned government agencies, the scientific community, industry, or other interested parties concerning the status of this species. The public comment period specified in this notice may have to be shortened in order to comply with any deadline established in a future court ruling. After considering the best available scientific and commercial data on the Queen Charlotte goshawk and its habitat, the Service will issue a new 12-month finding on the petition to list this subspecies. Alexander Archipelago Wolf The Alexander Archipelago wolf occurs in forested areas of insular and mainland southeast Alaska, from Dixon Entrance (US/Canada border) to Yakutat Bay, including all large islands of the Alexander Archipelago except Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof Islands. On December 17, 1993, the Service received a petition to list the Alexander Archipelago wolf as threatened under the Act, from the Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Eric Holle and Martin J. Berghoffen. A 90-day finding was made by the Service that the petition presented substantial information indicating that the requested action may be warranted. The 90-day finding was announced (59 FR 26476) and a status review was initiated on May 20, 1994. The public comment period was open between May 20 and October 1, 1994 (59 FR 26476 and 59 FR 44122). The Service announced its finding that listing the Alexander Archipelago wolf was not warranted on February 23, 1995 (60 FR 10056). The petitioners issued a 60-day notice of intent to sue over the Service's not warranted finding on November 13, 1995. On February 7, 1996, they filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the not-warranted finding made by the Service. As a result of a recent court order the Service is reevaluating the status of the Alexander Archipelago wolf. The Service is requesting any information, data, comments, and suggestions from the public, other concerned government agencies, the scientific community, industry, or other interested parties concerning the status of this species. The public comment period specified in this notice may have to be shortened in order to comply with any deadline established in a future court ruling. After considering the best available scientific and commercial data on the Alexander Archipelago wolf and its habitat, the Service will issue a new 12-month finding on the petition to list this subspecies. Author This notice was prepared by Ms. Teresa Woods, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. 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, Export, Import, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. Dated: November 26, 1996. David B. Allen, Regional Director, Region 7, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 96-30939 Filed 12-4-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P