[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 6, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24632-24633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11712]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018--AC10


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, Notice of 
Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Threatened Status for the Flat-
tailed Horned Lizard

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule, notice of extension of 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 an 
extension of the comment period on the proposed threatened status for 
the flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcalli). The comment period 
has been extended at the request of an individual interested in 
providing public comment.

DATES: The public comment period has been extended 30 days, and will 
now close on June 9, 1997. Any comments received by the closing date 
will be considered in the final decision on this proposal.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal 
should be sent directly to the Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Field Office, 
2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad California 92008. Comments and 
materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Vissman, at the address listed 
above (telephone 760/431-9440, facsimile 760/431-9618).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The flat-tailed horned lizard inhabits desert areas of southern 
Riverside, eastern San Diego, and Imperial Counties in California; 
southwestern Arizona; and adjacent regions of northwestern Sonora and 
northeastern Baja California Norte, Mexico. Within the United States, 
populations of the flat-tailed horned lizard are centered in portions 
of the Coachella Valley, Ocotillo Wells, Anza Borrego Desert, West 
Mesa, East Mesa and the Yuma Desert in California; and the area between 
Yuma and the Gila Mountains in Arizona. The flat-tailed horned lizard 
occurs on Federal, State, county, and privately owned lands.
    This species may be threatened by one or more of the following: 
commercial and residential development, agricultural development, off-
highway vehicle activity, energy developments, military activities, and 
pesticide use.
    On November 29, 1993, the Service published a rule proposing 
threatened status for the flat-tailed horned lizard. The original 
comment period closed on January 28, 1994. 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 (Pub. L. 104-6) that took effect April 10, 1995, stipulated 
that no funds could be used to make final listing or critical habitat 
determinations. Now that funding has been restored, the Service is 
proceeding with a final determination for this species.
    In response to a request from a constituent of Senator Kyl of 
Arizona, the Service is extending the comment period for 30 days. This 
individual requested an extension to allow

[[Page 24633]]

sufficient time to review requested documents and prepare comments.
    The Service continues to seek information that has become available 
in the last 3 years concerning:
    (1) biological, commercial, or other relevant data on any threat 
(or lack thereof) to this species; and
    (2) the size, number, or distribution of populations of this 
species.
    Written comments may be submitted through June 9, 1997, to the 
Service office in the ADDRESSES section.
    Author: The primary author of this notice is Sandy Vissman (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 29, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1.
[FR Doc. 97-11712 Filed 5-5-97; 8:45 am]
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