[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31298-31299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12122]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AE87


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period on Proposed Threatened Status for the Plant Gaura 
neomexicana ssp. coloradensis

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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

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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 the plant Gaura neomexicana ssp. 
coloradensis (Colorado butterfly plant) as a threatened species. The 
comment period is extended to accommodate the public notice requirement 
of the Act and to consider any new scientific information. In addition, 
reopening of the comment period will allow further opportunity for all 
interested parties to submit comments on the proposal, which was 
published on March 24, 1998 (63 FR 14060). 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 June 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed rule are available on the World Wide 
Web at mountain-prairie.fws.gov/endspp/plants/>. You may also request 
copies from, and submit comments and materials concerning this proposed 
rule to, the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4000 
Airport Parkway, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001. Comments and materials 
received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Long, Field Supervisor, Wyoming 
Field Office (see ADDRESSES section), telephone 307/772-2374; facsimile 
307/772-2358.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 24, 1998, we published a rule proposing threatened status 
for Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis in the Federal Register (63 FR 
14060). The original comment period closed on May 26, 1998. Section 
4(b)(5)(D) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires us to ``publish 
a summary of the proposed regulation in a newspaper of general 
circulation in each area of the United States in which the species is 
believed to occur.'' Due to an oversight, we failed to complete this 
requirement. To correct the oversight, we are reopening the comment 
period for this proposal to list G.n. ssp. coloradensis and publishing 
the required notices. The comment period now closes on June 16, 2000. 
Written comments should be submitted to the Service (see ADDRESSES 
section).
    Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis is a short-lived, perennial 
herb endemic to moist soils in mesic or wet meadows of floodplain areas 
in southeastern Wyoming, northcentral Colorado, and extreme western 
Nebraska. This early to mid-seral stage species occurs primarily in 
habitats created and maintained by streams active within their 
floodplains, with vegetation that is relatively open and not overly 
dense or overgrown. The disturbance of riparian areas that contain 
native grasses by agricultural conversion, water diversions, 
channelization, and urban development threaten G.n. ssp. coloradensis 
by

[[Page 31299]]

changing habitat significantly enough to preclude survival of viable 
populations.
    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 of any additional populations 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) Additional information concerning the range, distribution, and 
population size or trend of this species;
    (4) Current or planned activities in the subject area and their 
possible impacts on this species;
    (5) Biological or physical elements that best describe Gaura 
neomexicana ssp. coloradensis habitat that could be essential for the 
conservation of the species;
    (6) Information regarding genetic differences and similarities 
within and between populations of Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis;
    (7) Possible alternative noxious weed control, grazing, farming, 
and water management practices that will reduce or eliminate impacts to 
Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis; and
    (8) Other management strategies that will conserve the species 
throughout its range.
    Comments previously submitted during the first comment period need 
not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in the final 
determination.
    Author. The primary author of this document is Mary Jennings of the 
Wyoming Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).

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

    Dated: May 2, 2000.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12122 Filed 5-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-U