[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 67041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33408]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AE06


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the Preble's Meadow 
Jumping Mouse

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service provides notice that the comment 
period on the Service's proposal to list the Preble's meadow jumping 
mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) as endangered throughout its range (62 
FR 14093, March 25, 1997) is reopened as of December 23, 1997. The 
Service is soliciting any new information or comments on the proposed 
listing of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse. The Service notes that 
information and data collected since the publication of the proposed 
rule has been or will be provided to the Service, and will become part 
of the record for the Service's evaluation of the proposed listing. 
This information includes surveys that evaluate the status of the mouse 
at various locations and a report on habitat requirements.

DATES: The public comment period is reopened for 30 days. All comments 
should be received on or before January 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials should be sent to the 
Colorado Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 
25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225. Comments and 
materials received will be available for inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours, at the Fish and Wildlife Service's 
Colorado Field Office, 755 Parfet Street, Suite 361, Lakewood, 
Colorado.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LeRoy W. Carlson, Colorado Field Supervisor, telephone 303/275-2370 
(see ADDRESSES section).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Preble's meadow jumping mouse, a small rodent in the family 
Zapodidae, is known to occur only in eastern Colorado and southeastern 
Wyoming. It lives primarily in heavily vegetated riparian habitats. 
Habitat loss and degradation caused by agricultural, residential, 
commercial, and industrial development have resulted in concern over 
its continued existence.
    On March 25, 1997, the Service published a proposed rule (62 FR 
14093) to list the Preble's meadow jumping mouse as an endangered 
species without critical habitat. On May 5, 1997, the Service extended 
the comment period through July 28, 1997, and announced three public 
hearings, which were held on May 19, 21, and 22, 1997 (62 FR 24387). 
The Service received additional written comments during that comment 
period, which are being reviewed by the Service in making its final 
determination whether to list the Preble's meadow jumping mouse as 
endangered. The Service's conclusion must include an evaluation of the 
best scientific and commercial data available, i.e., species abundance, 
new data received during the comment period, re-evaluation of existing 
data, and efforts being taken to protect the species.
    To assist in its analysis of species status, the Service requests 
any comments that have not already been submitted, which provide new 
information or data, and/or reflect the information and data that has 
become available since the publication of the proposed rule. The 
Service (see ADDRESSES) can provide guidance on the availability of 
additional information.
    Written comments may be submitted on or before January 22, 1998, to 
the Service office identified in the ADDRESSES section above. All 
comments must be received before the close of the comment period to be 
considered.
    Legal notices announcing reopening of the comment period are being 
published in newspapers concurrently with this Federal Register notice.

    Author: The author of this notice is Peter Plage, Colorado Field 
Office (see ADDRESSES above), telephone 303/275-2370.

    Authority: Authority for this action is the ESA of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: December 17, 1997.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, Denver, 
Colorado.
[FR Doc. 97-33408 Filed 12-22-97; 8:45 am]
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