[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55892-55893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26787]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AE30


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Public Hearing and 
Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Critical Habitat for the 
Tidewater Goby

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing and reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), provide notice of a public 
hearing and reopening of the comment period on the proposed rule to 
designate critical habitat for the tidewater goby Eucyclogobius 
newberryi, an endangered species. The comment period is reopened to 
accommodate public hearing requests received from the Agua Hedionda 
Lagoon Foundation, the Bristol Cove Boat and Ski Club, the Bristol Cove 
Property Owners Association, Carlsbad Aquafarm Incorporated, Cabrillo 
Power I LLC, and the Hubbs Sea World Institute. Thus, we have scheduled 
a public hearing to be held in Carlsbad, California (see DATES and 
ADDRESSES). The reopening of the comment period will also allow further 
opportunity for all interested parties to submit comments on the 
proposal which is available (see ADDRESSES). We are seeking comments or 
suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the 
scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties 
concerning the proposed designation.

DATES: The public hearing will be held on Thursday, November 4, from 
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Carlsbad, 
California. The comment period closes November 30, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at La Costa Resort, 
Conference Center Theater, La Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad, California. 
Comments and materials concerning this proposal should be sent to the 
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and 
Wildlife Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California, 92008. 
Comments and materials received will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glen Knowles, Carlsbad Fish and 
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section) at (760) 491-9440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 3, 1999, the service published a rule proposing critical 
habitat for the tidewater goby Eucyclogobius newberryi in the Federal 
Register (64 FR 42250), a species now classified as endangered 
throughout its entire range. The original comment period closed on 
October 4, 1999. Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
requires that a public hearing be held if it is requested within 45 
days of the publication of the proposed rule. In response to a request 
for a public hearing from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, Bristol 
Cove Boat and Ski Club, the Bristol Cove Property Owner's Association, 
Carlsbad Aquafarm Incorporated, Cabrillo Power I LLC, and the Hubbs Sea 
World Institute a public hearing will be held in Carlsbad, California 
on November 4, 1999, at the La Costa Resort, Conference Center Theater 
(see ADDRESSES). Parties wishing to make statements for the record 
should bring a copy of their statements to the hearing. Oral statements 
may be limited in length, if the number of parties present at the 
hearing necessitates such a limitation. There are no limits to the 
length of written comments or materials presented at the hearing or 
mailed to us. Written comments carry the same weight as oral comments. 
The comment period now closes on November 30, 1999. Written comments 
should be submitted to us at the hearing, or mailed to the Carlsbad 
Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section).
    The tidewater goby is a small, grayish brown fish approximately 2 
inches long which lives for about one year. It occurs in lagoons, tidal 
bays, and brackish tributaries along the California coastline. This 
fish is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, predation by non-
native species, and extreme weather and streamflow conditions. Comments 
from the public regarding the accuracy of this proposed rule are 
sought, especially regarding:
    (1) The reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined 
to be critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act, including 
whether the benefits of designation will outweigh any threats to the 
species due to designation;
    (2) Specific information on the amount and distribution of 
tidewater goby habitat, and what habitat is essential to the 
conservation of the species and why;
    (3) Land use practices and current or planned activities in the 
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat;
    (4) Any foreseeable economic or other impacts resulting from the 
proposed designation of critical habitat, in particular, any impacts on 
small entities or families; and
    (5) Economic and other values associated with designating critical 
habitat for the tidewater goby, such as those derived from non-
consumptive

[[Page 55893]]

uses (e.g., camping, hiking, bird-watching, enhanced watershed 
protection, improved air quality, increased soil retention, ``existence 
values,'' and reductions in administrative costs).
    Author: The primary author of this notice is Glen Knowles (see 
ADDRESSES section).

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

    Dated: October 10, 1999.
Elizabeth H. Stevens,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office.
[FR Doc. 99-26787 Filed 10-14-99; 8:45 am]
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