[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47195-47196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22460]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period for the Notice of Intent To Clarify the Role of Habitat 
in Endangered Species Conservation

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice: reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) reopen the comment 
period on our notice of intent to develop policy or guidance and/or to 
revise regulations, if necessary, to clarify the role of habitat in 
endangered species conservation. We received several requests to extend 
or reopen the comment period. We solicit public

[[Page 47196]]

comments, and we will analyze and incorporate additional comments 
received during this comment period, as well as those we received 
during the previous comment period, into new proposed guidance as 
appropriate.

DATES: We will accept comments on this guidance until October 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments regarding this guidance to the Chief, 
Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1849 C 
Street, NW, Mailstop ARLSQ-420, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Gloman, Chief, Division of 
Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 703-358-2171 (see 
ADDRESSES section).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 14, 1999 (64 FR 31871), we published a notice of our intent 
to develop policy or guidance and/or to revise regulations, if 
necessary, to clarify the role of habitat in endangered species 
conservation. In that notice, we sought comments relative to the 
benefits of the designation of critical habitat (beyond that of 
listing) and what considerations should be included in our prudency 
determinations. We also requested comments and suggestions relative to 
how we can effectively streamline the process of determining and 
designating critical habitat and specifically whether and how our 
existing regulations might or should be changed to accomplish this. 
Additionally, we requested comments and suggestions on possible 
legislative actions that might improve the effectiveness and efficiency 
of the critical habitat process.

Public Comments Solicited

    We reopen the comment period on this notice in order to provide 
additional time for interested parties to comment on this important 
issue. We will take into consideration any comments and additional 
information received and will announce proposed guidance after the 
close of the public comment period and as promptly as possible after 
all comments have been reviewed and analyzed. We will make available 
for your review and comment any guidance, policy, or regulatory changes 
that are developed.

Authority

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

    Dated: August 19, 1999.
Marshall P. Jones,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22460 Filed 8-27-99; 8:45 am]
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