[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 201 (Monday, October 19, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55839-55840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28028]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Extension of 
Comment Period for Proposed Rule To List the Contiguous United States 
Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.


[[Page 55840]]


ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that 
the comment period on the proposal to list the contiguous United States 
distinct population segment of the Canada Lynx is being extended. All 
interested parties are invited to submit comments on this proposal.

DATES: Comments will be accepted until November 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal 
should be sent to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Montana Field Office, 100 N. Park Avenue, Suite 320, Helena, Montana 
59601.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kemper McMaster, Field Supervisor, 
Montana Field Office, (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 406/449-5225; 
facsimile 406/449-5339).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 8, 1998 (63 FR 36994), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service) published a proposed rule to list the contiguous United 
States distinct population of the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) as 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This 
population segment includes the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, 
Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, 
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and 
Massachusetts. The contiguous United States population segment of the 
Canada lynx is threatened by human alteration of forests, low numbers 
as a result of past overexploitation, expansion of the range of 
competitors (bobcats (Felis rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans)), and 
elevated levels of human access into lynx habitat. This rule also lists 
the captive population of Canada lynx within the coterminous United 
States (lower 48 States) as threatened due to similarity of appearance 
and permits the continued export of captive-bred Canada lynx.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service intends that any final action resulting from this 
proposal will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, 
comments, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental 
agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested 
party concerning this proposed rule are solicited.
    The original comment period on this proposal was scheduled to close 
on September 30, 1998. To accommodate the Great Lakes Indian Fish and 
Wildlife Commission council meeting schedule, the Service extended the 
comment period to October 14, 1998. The Service is once again extending 
the comment period to accommodate a request from a variety of members 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Written comments may 
now be submitted until November 16, 1998, to the Service's Montana 
Field Office (see 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 Lori Nordstrom, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Montana Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).

Authority

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

    Dated: October 14, 1998.
Terry T. Terrell,
Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 98-28028 Filed 10-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P