[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43901-43902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21995]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AE00


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period on 90-Day Finding and Commencement of Status Review for 
a Petition To List the Westslope Cutthroat Trout as Threatened

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Reopening of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that 
the comment period on the westslope cutthroat trout 90-day finding is 
being reopened. All interested parties are invited to submit comments 
on this proposal.

DATES: Comments will be accepted until October 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Data, information, technical critiques, comments, or 
questions relevant to this amended petition should be sent to the 
Chief, Branch of Native Fishes Management, Montana Fish and Wildlife 
Management Assistance Office, 4052 Bridger Canyon Road, Bozeman, 
Montana 59715. The amended petition, its appendices, and bibliography 
are available for public inspection, by appointment, at the above 
address. Electronic copies of the amended petition and bibliography may 
be requested and received via e-mail from [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lynn Kaeding, at the above address, or telephone (406) 582-0717.


[[Page 43902]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 10, 1998, the Service published in the Federal Register a 
positive 90-day finding on a formal petition to list the westslope 
cutthroat trout as threatened throughout its range and designate 
critical habitat for this subspecies pursuant to the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended. Copetitioners were American Wildlands, 
Clearwater Biodiversity Project, Idaho Watersheds Project, Inc., 
Montana Environmental Information Center, the Pacific Rivers Council, 
Trout Unlimited's Madison-Gallatin Chapter, and Mr. Bud Lilly.
    The Service has reviewed the amended petition, as well as other 
available information, published and unpublished studies and reports, 
and agency files. On the basis of the best scientific and commercial 
information available, the Service finds that there is sufficient 
information to indicate that listing of the westslope cutthroat trout 
as threatened, throughout all or parts of its range, may be warranted. 
The Service believes that the decline of westslope cutthroat trout is 
due mainly to the destruction and adverse modification of habitat and 
the negative effects of stocked, nonnative fish species, as described 
above under the listing factors. However, the Service also believes 
that the present status of westslope cutthroat trout throughout its 
historic range is not well understood, particularly with regard to the 
genetic characteristics of many known populations, the possible 
occurrence of additional populations in areas that have not been 
studied, and the measures now underway to protect remaining 
populations. Within 1 year from the date the petition was received, a 
finding as to whether the petitioned action is warranted is required by 
section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act.

Public Comments Solicited

    Oral and written statements concerning the proposed rule will 
receive equal consideration by the Service. There are no limits to the 
length of written comments presented at the hearing or mailed to the 
Service. News released announcing the date, time, and location of the 
hearings are being published in newspapers concurrently with this 
Federal Register notice.
    The previous comment period on this finding closed on August 10, 
1998. At the request of the U.S. Forest Service and several State fish 
and wildlife agencies, the Service reopens the comment period. Written 
comments may not be submitted until October 13, 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.
    Author: The author of this notice is Chuck Davis, Regional 
Environmental Coordinator. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, 
P.O. Box 25486, DFC, Denver, CO 80225-0486; telephone 303-236-7400 
extension 235.

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

    Dated: August 10, 1998.
Mary Lou Gessner,
Acting Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 98-21995 Filed 8-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M