[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 15, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 13935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6414]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 224

RIN 0648-XA39

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[I.D. 102299A]
RIN 1018-AF80


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Extension of Comment Period 
on Proposed Endangered Status for a Distinct Population Segment of 
Anadromous Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in the Gulf of Maine

AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce; Fish and Wildlife 
Service (FWS), Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: NMFS and FWS (the Services) provide notice to extend the 
public comment period on the proposed determination of endangered 
status for a distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon 
(Salmo salar) in the Gulf of Maine.

DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address or fax 
number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5:00 p.m., eastern daylight time, 
on April 14, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials regarding the proposed rule 
should be sent to the Endangered Species Program Coordinator, NMFS, 1 
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 (fax 978-281-9394), or to the 
Chief, Division of Endangered Species, FWS, 300 Westgate Center Drive, 
Hadley, MA 01035 (fax 413-253-8308). Comments will not be accepted if 
submitted via e-mail or the Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Colligan, NMFS, 978-281-9116, fax 
978-281-9394, e-mail [email protected], or Paul__Nickerson, FWS, 
413-253-8615, fax 413-253-8308, e-mail Paul [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Maine DPS includes all naturally 
reproducing wild populations of Atlantic salmon having historical, 
river-specific characteristics found in a range north of and including 
tributaries of the lower Kennebec River to, but not including, the 
mouth of the St. Croix River at the US-Canada border. The DPS includes 
both early and late run Atlantic salmon. Threats to the species include 
low marine survival, disease, the use of non-North American strains of 
Atlantic salmon in the U.S. aquaculture industry, aquaculture escapees, 
water withdrawal and sedimentation.
    On November 17, 1999, the Services published a proposed rule (64 FR 
62627) to list the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon as endangered 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The public 
comment period originally was announced to close on February 15, 2000. 
On January 7, 2000 (65 FR 1082) the Services extended the public 
comment period to March 15, 2000. Because of several requests for 
additional time, the Services are extending the public comment period 
to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, April 14, 2000.

Electronic Access

    The 1999 Status Review may be downloaded from the following site: 
http://news.fws.gov/salmon/asalmon.html.

    Dated: March 9, 2000.
Art Jeffers,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    Dated: March 9, 2000.
Ronald E. Lambertson,
Regional Director, Region 5, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 00-6414 Filed 3-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F