[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 62 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16869-16870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7800]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF86


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for Ambrosia Pumila (San 
Diego Ambrosia)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), reopen the comment 
period on the proposal to list Ambrosia pumila (San Diego ambrosia) as 
an endangered species. The comment period is reopened in response to a 
request from the public for additional time to obtain biological 
information regarding the plant and formulate comments on the proposed 
rule. In addition, reopening of the comment period will allow further 
opportunity for all interested parties to submit comments on the 
proposal, which is available (see ADDRESSES section). 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 rule. Comments already submitted on the 
proposed rule need not be resubmitted as they will be fully considered 
in the final determination.

DATES: The reopened comment period closes May 30, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this proposed rule 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: Gary Wallace, Carlsbad Fish and 
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section) at (760) 431-9440.

[[Page 16870]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 29, 1999, the Service published a rule proposing 
endangered status for Ambrosia pumila (San Diego ambrosia) in the 
Federal Register (64 FR 72993). The original comment period closed on 
February 28, 2000. The comment period now closes on May 30, 2000. 
Written comments should be submitted to the Service (see ADDRESSES 
section).
    Ambrosia pumila is a herbaceous perennial plant with underground 
rhizome-like roots. This wind pollinated species is restricted to San 
Diego and western Riverside counties and from Colonet to Lake Chapala, 
in Baja California, Mexico. The species is currently known from 13 
extant native occurrences in the U.S. Ambrosia pumila is threatened by 
the following; destruction, fragmentation, and degradation of habitat 
by recreational and commercial development; highway construction and 
maintenance; construction and maintenance activities associated with 
utility easements; competition from non-native plants; trampling by 
horses and humans; off-road vehicle (ORV) use; and inadequate 
regulatory mechanisms. Comments from the public regarding the accuracy 
of this proposed rule are sought, especially regarding:
    (1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threat (or lack thereof) to this species;
    (2) The location and condition of any additional occurrences of 
this species and the reasons why any habitat should or should not be 
determined to be critical habitat pursuant to section 4 of the Act;
    (3) Aditional information concerning the range, distribution, and 
population size of this species;
    (4) Current or planned activities in the subject area and their 
possible impacts on Ambrosia pumila or its habitat;

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Gary D. Wallace, Ph.D. (see 
ADDRESSES section).

Authority

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

    Dated: March 22, 2000.
Elizabeth H. Stevens,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office.
[FR Doc. 00-7800 Filed 3-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P