[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 212 (Monday, November 3, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59334-59335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28981]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period for Additional Information Relative to the Status of the 
Lesser Prairie-Chicken

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Reopening of public comment period

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SUMMARY: On July 8, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
published a positive 90-day finding on a petition to list the lesser 
prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) as threatened under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, and requested that 
any additional information be submitted by September 8, 1997. The 
Service has been asked by the Lesser Prairie-chicken Interstate Working 
Group to reopen the comment period to allow for submission of a 
conservation strategy for the lesser prairie-chicken.
    Thus, the Service announces that it will reopen the comment period 
to allow additional time for submission of information regarding the 
status, population trend, distribution, and habitat use of the lesser 
prairie-chicken.

DATES: The comment period, which originally closed on September 8, 
1997, is reopened and now closes on December 3, 1997. To be considered 
in the 12-month finding for this petition, additional information on 
the lesser prairie-chicken should be submitted to the Service by 
December 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Information, comments, or questions should be sent to the 
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services 
Field Office, 222 S. Houston, Suite A, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127-8909. The 
petition finding and supporting data are available for public 
inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the above 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Brabander, Field Supervisor, at 
the above address, or telephone (918) 581-7458 ext. 224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.), requires that the Service make an initial finding within 
90 days, if practicable, on whether a petition to list, delist, or 
reclassify a species presents substantial scientific or commercial 
information to indicate that the petitioned action may be warranted. A 
petition to list the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus 
pallidicinctus) as threatened was received by the Service on October 6, 
1995, from the Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Boulder, Colorado, and 
Marie E. Morrissey. On July 8, 1997 (62 FR 36482), the Service 
published a 90-day finding on that petition. The finding stated that 
the petition contained substantial information to indicate that listing 
under the Act may be warranted, and announced that the Service would 
conduct a thorough status review of the species in conjunction with the 
affected states. In addition, the Service requested that any additional 
information on lesser prairie-chicken population abundance, population 
trends, distribution, and use of habitats be submitted to the Service 
by September 8, 1997.
    On September 3, 1997, the Service received a request from the 
Lesser Prairie-chicken Interstate Working Group (Working Group) to 
extend or reopen the comment period to allow this group additional time 
to submit a Conservation Plan for the lesser prairie-chicken. The 
Working Group stated in their letter that they are currently editing 
the first draft of a conservation strategy that contains goals, 
objectives, and action items that will significantly reduce the threats 
to the species.
    This notice reopens the comment period for submission of 
information on the status of the species throughout its range until 
December 3, 1997. The Service invites the public to submit additional 
information on the population abundance, population trends, 
distribution, use of habitats including native prairie and cropland, 
and factors documented to influence population abundance, distribution, 
and habitat use of lesser prairie-chickens.

Authors

    This document was prepared by Noreen E. Walsh, at the Service's 
Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES above).

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, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.


[[Page 59335]]


    Dated: October 28, 1997.
Thomas Bauer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28981 Filed 10-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P