[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 7819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3411]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Public Comment Period for Status Review of the Northern Goshawk in the 
Contiguous United States West of the 100th Meridian

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior

ACTION: Notice of the reopening of public comment period

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SUMMARY: On September 29, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service) announced a 90-day finding for a petition to list the 
northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) in the contiguous United States 
west of the 100th meridian under the Endangered Species Act (62 FR 
50892). In that finding, the Service found that the petition presented 
substantial information indicating that the listing of the northern 
goshawk as a threatened or endangered species in the contiguous United 
States west of the 100th meridian may be warranted. At that time, the 
Service initiated a status review for the northern goshawk and 
announced that a 12-month finding will be prepared at the conclusion of 
the review. The previous comment period for this action closed on 
December 29, 1997.

DATES: Comments and materials related to this petition must be received 
on or before March 19, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this petition finding and 
status review should be sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office 
of Technical Support, 333 S.W. 1st Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204, 
ATTN: Goshawk Status Review Team. The petition, finding, supporting 
data and comments will be available for public inspection by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the following address: 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Technical Support for Forest 
Resources, 333 S.W. 1st Avenue, 4th Floor, Portland, Oregon 97204, 
(503/808-2565).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monty Knudsen, Office of Technical 
Support for Forest Resources, 333 S.W. 1st Avenue, Portland, Oregon 
97232-4181, (503/808-2564).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act) requires that 
the Service make a finding 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. To 
the maximum extent practicable, this finding is to be made within 90 
days of the receipt of the petition (90-day finding), and notice of the 
finding is to be published promptly in the Federal Register. If a 
finding is made that substantial information was presented the Service 
is required to promptly commence a status review of the species and 
determine whether the petitioned action is warranted. The Act requires 
the Service to make this finding within 12-months of the receipt of the 
petition.
    On September 29, 1997, the Service announced a 90-day finding for a 
petition to list the northern goshawk in the contiguous United States 
west of the 100th meridian under the Endangered Species Act (62 FR 
50892). In that finding, the Service found that the petition presented 
substantial information indicating that the listing of the northern 
goshawk as a threatened or endangered species in the contiguous United 
States west of the 100th meridian may be warranted. At that time, the 
Service initiated a status review for the northern goshawk and 
announced that a 12-month finding will be prepared at the conclusion of 
the review.
    At this time, the Service continues to seek additional data, 
information or comments from the public, other concerned government 
agencies, the scientific community, industry or any other interested 
party concerning the status of the northern goshawk in the western U.S. 
The Service is interested in information from throughout the species 
range in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Public Comments Solicited

    The following issues are of particular interest to the Service:
    1. Genetic, morphological and ecological differences, including 
variations or intergradation of the subspecies Accipiter gentilis 
atricapillus and Accipiter gentilis apache within their range;
    2. Data on historic and current population trends and dynamics, and 
documented or suspected influencing factors that may affect these 
population trends, and may, therefore, assist in determining population 
trends;
    3. Reproductive trends and documented or suspected influencing 
factors that may affect reproduction in goshawks;
    4. Trends in loss, modification and recovery of the forested 
habitat occupied by the two subspecies, and the extent to which habitat 
conversion and fragmentation affects goshawks and their prey;
    5. Taxonomic clarification of North American goshawk subspecies;
    6. Information on migration and dispersal patterns; and
    7. Information on the goshawk in Canada and Mexico, as well as 
information on management and relevant regulatory mechanisms in Canada 
and Mexico.

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

    Dated: February 5, 1998.
Bill Shake,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1, 
Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 98-3411 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am]
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