[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56134-56135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27324]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AE84


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Public Comment Period on the Proposed Rule To List the Northern Idaho 
Ground Squirrel as Threatened

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule, reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that 
the public comment period on the proposed rule to list the northern 
Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus) as a threatened 
species is being reopened to consider new scientific information 
received after the initial comment period. The initial comment period 
closed on May 22, 1998. All interested parties are invited to submit 
comments on this proposal.

DATES: The comment period for this proposal will be extended to 
November 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal 
should be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Snake River Basin 
Office, 1387 South Vinnell way, Room 368, Boise, Idaho 83709. Comments 
and materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Ruesink, Supervisor, at the 
above address or at telephone (208) 378-5243.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 23, 1998 (63 FR 13825), the Service published in the 
Federal Register a proposed rule to list the northern Idaho ground 
squirrel as threatened throughout its range in western Idaho pursuant 
to the

[[Page 56135]]

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. After the close of the 
comment period on May 22, 1998, the Service received a report titled 
``Translocation and inventory of northern Idaho ground squirrels in 
1998,'' a video seminar on the genetics and population structure of the 
northern Idaho ground squirrel presented by Drs. Tom Gavin and Paul 
Sherman, an ``Amended Environmental Assessment of the Council-Cuprum 
Road,'' a draft plan titled ``Habitat restoration plan for the northern 
Idaho ground squirrel,'' and meeting notes from two northern Idaho 
ground squirrel working group meetings.
    The Service reviewed the status of the species under the five 
factors described in section 4(a)(1) and concluded that little is known 
about the historic range of the northern Idaho ground squirrel, but the 
population of this subspecies has declined significantly since 1985. 
The estimated total population in 1985 was about 5,000 animals but by 
1998, the total population of this subspecies had declined to about 700 
individuals. This subspecies is known from 21 sites in Adams and Valley 
Counties, Idaho. It is primarily threatened by habitat loss due to 
seral forest encroachment into former suitable meadow habitats. Seral 
forest encroachment results in habitat fragmentation, isolating 
northern Idaho ground squirrel sites from each other. This eliminates 
any genetic exchange or replenishment of sites should one population 
site decline and another one has a surplus of individuals. The northern 
Idaho ground squirrel is also threatened by competition from the larger 
Columbian ground squirrel (Spermophilus columbianus), land use changes, 
recreational shooting and naturally occurring events. A conservation 
agreement (Agreement) was finalized in July of 1996 between the Service 
and the Payette National Forest. Duration of the Agreement is 5 years. 
The Agreement identifies conservation and land management actions that 
will provide habitat favorable to the northern Idaho ground squirrel. A 
relocation plan developed by scientists from Cornell University, 
Ithaca, New York and Albertson College, Caldwell, Idaho was initiated 
in the spring of 1997. These ongoing conservation efforts for the 
northern Idaho ground squirrel address threats that have likely 
contributed to the species decline.

Public Comments Solicited

    The previous comment period on this proposed rule closed on May 22, 
1998. Written comments must be submitted 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 Rich Howard, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Snake River Basin 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 6, 1998.
Bill Shake,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 98-27324 Filed 10-20-98; 8:45 am]
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