[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42091-42092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20593]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 14

RIN 1018-AD98


Humane and Healthful Transport of Wild Mammals, Birds, Reptiles 
and Amphibians to the United States; Notice of Extension of Comment 
Period on Proposed Rule

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pursuant to the Lacey 
Act Amendments of 1981, provides notice of extension of the comment 
period for the proposed amendment of 50 CFR Part 14, covering the 
humane and healthful transport of wild mammals, birds, reptiles and 
amphibians to the United States. The comment period has been extended 
so that interested members of the public can review the proposal and 
offer comments to the Service.

DATES: The comment period, which originally closed on September 4, 
1997, is now extended to close on October 6, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Director, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, c/o Office of Management Authority either by mail 
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 430, Arlington, VA 22203 or by fax (703) 
358-2280.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bruce J. Weissgold, Office of 
Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, telephone (703) 
358-2095, fax (703) 358-2280.

[[Page 42092]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    Comments and other information can also be sent via electronic mail 
(E-mail) to: [email protected].

Background

    On Friday, June 6, 1997, the Service published in the Federal 
Register (62 FR 31044) a proposed rule announcing the Service's 
intention to amend 50 CFR part 14 subpart J to further implement the 
requirements of the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42 (c)). The Lacey Act 
prohibits the importation into the United States of all wild animals 
and birds under inhumane or unhealthful conditions, and requires that 
the United States Government promulgate regulations governing the 
importation of wildlife. On June 17, 1992, the Service finalized (57 FR 
27094) the rules contained in 50 CFR part 14 subpart J, establishing 
rules for the humane and healthful transport of wild mammals and birds 
to the United States.
    To more fully implement the amendments of the Lacey Act, which 
requires the healthful and humane transport of all classes of wild 
animals and birds and the promulgation of regulations necessary to that 
end, the Service proposes to extend 50 CFR part 14 subpart J to include 
rules for the healthful and humane transport of reptiles and 
amphibians. Furthermore, many reptiles and amphibians are species 
included in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Parties to 
CITES have adopted a resolution that calls for all CITES-listed species 
to be packed and shipped in accordance with the International Air 
Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations. Therefore, the 
proposed rule would place these internationally accepted standards into 
the Code of Federal Regulations for reptiles and amphibians.
    For this, and other reasons discussed in the June 6, 1997 Federal 
Register, the Service is proposing amendments to 50 CFR Part 14 
concerning humane and healthful transport of reptiles and amphibians 
into the United States.

Public Comments Solicited

    On July 22, 1997 the Service received a request from Underground 
Reptiles to extend the comment period on this proposed rule by 30 days 
``so that various reptile and amphibian importers, shippers, and 
hobbyists can meet to review the proposal, gather data regarding 
shipments and submit meaningful comments.'' On July 23, 1997, the 
Service received a similar letter from Reptile Masters, Inc. Due to the 
complexity of the proposed rule, the need for data gathering by 
potential commenters, and the expressed interest of members of the 
public, the Service is extending the comment period and solicits 
comments from all interested parties. All comments received by the date 
specified above will be considered in the Service's final decision.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Lacey Act, as amended (18 
U.S.C. 42 (c)).

    Dated: July 30, 1997.
Marshall P. Jones, Jr.
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20593 Filed 8-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P