[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 3301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-857]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AE30


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Public 
Hearing and Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status 
for Rough Popcornflower

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing and reopening and 
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 a 
public hearing on the proposed endangered status for Plagiobothrys 
hirtus (rough popcornflower). In addition, the Service has reopened and 
extended the comment period to accommodate a public hearing that was 
requested by Mr. Danny Lang of Roseburg, Oregon. All parties are 
invited to submit comments on this proposal.

DATES: The comment period now closes on February 23, 1998. Any comments 
received by the closing date will be considered in the final decision 
on this proposal. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 
10, 1998, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the Holiday Inn Express, 
375 West Harvard Boulevard, Roseburg, Oregon. Comments and materials 
concerning this proposal should be sent to the State Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State Office, 2600 S.E. 98th Avenue, 
Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97266. Comments and materials received will 
be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal 
business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Andrew F. Robinson Jr. of the Oregon State Office (see ADDRESSES 
section) at (503) 231-6179.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Plagiobothrys hirtus is an annual herb on drier sites, or perennial 
herb on wetter sites, that is known from only the interior valley of 
the Umpqua River in Douglas County, Oregon. The plant is threatened by 
destruction and/or alteration of habitat by development and 
hydrological change (e.g., wetland fills, draining, construction); 
spring and summer grazing by domestic cattle, horses, and sheep; 
roadside maintenance; and competition from native and non-native 
species (i.e., succession and encroachment). Comments from the public 
regarding the accuracy of this proposed rule are sought, especially 
regarding:
    (1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threat (or lack thereof) to the species listed above;
    (2) The location of any additional populations of the species and 
the reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined to be 
critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act;
    (3) Additional information concerning the range, distribution, and 
population sizes of the species; and
    (4) Current or planned activities in the subject area and their 
possible impacts on the species.
    On November 20, 1997, the Service published a rule proposing 
endangered status for Plagiobothrys hirtus in the Federal Register (62 
FR 61953). The original comment period was to close on January 20, 
1998. Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires 
that a public hearing be held if it is requested within 45 days of the 
publication of the proposed rule. A public hearing request from Mr. 
Danny Lang of Roseburg, Oregon was received within the allotted time 
period. The Service has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, February 
10, 1998, at the Holiday Inn Express in Roseburg, Oregon.
    Parties wishing to make statements for the record should bring a 
copy of their statements to the hearing. Oral statements may be limited 
in length, if the number of parties present at the hearing necessitates 
such a limitation. There are no limits to the length of written 
comments or materials presented at the hearing or mailed to the 
Service. Written comments carry the same weight as oral comments. The 
comment period now closes on February 23, 1998. Written comments should 
be submitted to the Service Office listed in the ADDRESSES section.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Dr. Andrew F. Robinson Jr. 
(see ADDRESSES section).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: January 7, 1998.
Don Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon, Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-857 Filed 1-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M