[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 9, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31970]


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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 on Status Review for Cheetah in Namibia

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of status review; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Service gives notice that the comment period on the status 
review of the Cheetah in Namibia, as initiated in response to a 
petition to reclassify the species in that country from endangered to 
threatened, will be reopened.

DATES: Comments and information may be submitted through February 1, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments, information, and questions should be submitted to 
the Chief, Office of Scientific Authority; Room 750, 4401 North Fairfax 
Drive; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Arlington, Virginia 22203 (Fax 
number 703-358-2276). The petition finding, supporting data, and 
comments will be available for public inspection, by appointment, from 
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Charles W. Dane, Chief, Office of Scientific Authority, at the 
above address (phone 703-358-1708).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of March 19, 1996 
(61 FR 11181), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced 
the 90-day finding that a petition to reclassify the cheetah (Acinonyx 
jubatus) in Namibia from endangered to threatened had presented 
substantial information indicating that the requested action may be 
warranted. A status review was initiated, with the original comment 
period ending July 17, 1996. Subsequently, the Service received two new 
documents that may have major relevance to this issue: a management 
plan for the cheetah prepared by the Government of Namibia and a final 
report on a cheetah workshop held by the World Conservation Union 
(IUCN). In order to consider this new information and any comments 
thereon, the Service has decided to reopen the comment period until 
February 1, 1998, and will provide copies of the indicated documents 
upon request. All comments and information will be considered in making 
a final decision on whether the requested action is warranted, and will 
be included in the administrative record.

    Authority: Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.).

    Dated: November 19, 1997.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31970 Filed 12-8-97; 8:45 am]
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