[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 86 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 24388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11572]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AD35


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Public Comment Period on the Proposed Rule to List the Pallid Manzanita 
as Threatened

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), provides notice of 
reopening of the comment period on the proposed threatened status for 
Arctostaphylos pallida (pallid manzanita) which was published in the 
Federal Register on August 2, 1995. The comment period has been 
reopened to acquire additional information from interested parties, and 
to resume the proposed listing actions.

DATES: The public comment period closes June 4, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal 
should be sent directly to the Field Supervisor, Sacramento Field 
Office, 3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95821-
6340. Comments and materials received will be available for inspection, 
by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dwight Harvey (see ADDRESSES section) 
at (916) 979-2725.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 2, 1995, the Service published a rule proposing 
threatened status for Arctostaphylos pallida (60 FR 39309-39314). The 
original comment period closed on September 25, 1995. No public hearing 
was requested. The Service was unable to make a final listing 
determination on this species because of a limited budget, other 
endangered species assignments driven by court orders, and higher 
listing priorities. In addition, a moratorium on listing actions 
(Public Law 104-6), which took effect on April 10, 1995, stipulated 
that no funds could be used to make final listing determinations or 
critical habitat determinations.
    After funding was restored, the Service proceeded with a final 
determination for this species by reopening the comment period from 
February 25, 1997 until March 27, 1997 (62 FR 8417, February 25, 1997). 
During this period, the Service received a request that the comment 
period be reopened an additional 30 days in order that all interested 
and affected parties have sufficient opportunity to submit their 
comments in writing.
    Pallid manzanita is found only in the northern Diablo Range of 
California. It occupies 13 sites in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. 
The two largest populations are located at Huckleberry Ridge and 
Sobrante Ridge. The plants are found in manzanita chaparral habitat 
that is frequently surrounded by oak woodlands and coastal scrub. The 
plants are threatened by shading and competition from native and non-
native plants, fire suppression, habitat fragmentation, hybridization, 
disease, herbicide spraying, and unauthorized tree cutting.
    The Service particularly seeks information concerning:
    (1) The known or potential effects of fire suppression and general 
fire management practices on the pallid manzanita and its habitat.
    In addition, the Service seeks information that has become 
available in the last two years concerning:
    (2) Other biological, commercial, or other relevant data on any 
threats (or lack of thereof) to the species; and
    (3) The size, number, or distribution of populations of the 
species.
    Written comments may be submitted through June 4, 1997 to the 
Service office in the ADDRESSES section.
    Any comments received by the closing date will be considered in the 
final decision on this proposal.
    Author: The primary author of this notice is Dwight Harvey (see 
ADDRESSES section).

Authority

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

    Dated: April 28, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Portland, OR.
[FR Doc. 97-11572 Filed 5-2-97; 8:45 am]
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