[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39850-39851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16276]


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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; Reopening of 
Comment Period and Notice of Availability of Draft Economic Analysis on 
Proposed Critical Habitat Determination for the Tidewater Goby

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period and notice of 
availability of draft economic analysis.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability 
of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical 
habitat for the tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi). We also 
provide notice of the reopening of the comment period for the proposal 
to allow all interested parties to submit written comments on the 
proposal and on the draft economic analysis. Comments previously 
submitted need not be resubmitted as they will be incorporated into the 
public records as a part of this reopening and will be fully considered 
in the final rule.

DATES: The original comment period on the critical habitat proposal 
closed on October 4, 1999. The first reopened comment period closed on 
November 30, 1999. The comment period is again reopened and we will 
accept comments until July 28, 2000. Comments must be received by the 
closing date. Any comments that are received after the closing date may 
not be considered in the final decision on this proposal.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft economic analysis are available on the 
Internet at ``http://pacific.fws.gov/crithab/tg'' or by contacting the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 2730 
Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California, 92008 (telephone 760-431-9440; 
facsimile 760-431-9618). Written comments should be sent to the Field 
Supervisor. You may also send comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to 
``[email protected].'' Please submit comments in ASCII file 
format and avoid the use of special characters and encryption. Please 
include ``Attn: RIN 1018-AE30'' and your name and return address in 
your e-mail message. Comments and materials received will be available 
for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at 
the above Service address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glen Knowles, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, at the above address 
(telephone 760-431-9440; facsimile 760-431-9618).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The tidewater goby is a small, grayish brown fish approximately 2 
inches long and which lives for about one year. It occurs in coastal 
brackish-water habitats such as lagoons, tidal bays, and estuaries of 
rivers and streams along the California coastline. This fish is 
threatened by habitat loss and degradation, predation by non-native 
species, and extreme weather and streamflow conditions. On August 3, 
1999, the Fish and Wildlife Service published a rule proposing critical 
habitat for the tidewater goby Eucyclogobius newberryi in the Federal 
Register (64 FR 42250), a species Federally listed as endangered 
throughout its range. We proposed designation of approximately 11.8 
miles of rivers, streams, and estuaries as critical habitat for the 
tidewater goby pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act). Proposed critical habitat is in Orange and San Diego 
counties, California, as described in the proposed rule.
    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act requires that the Secretary shall 
designate or revise critical habitat based upon the best scientific 
data available and after taking into consideration the economic impact 
of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. Based upon the 
previously published proposal to designate critical habitat for the 
tidewater goby and comments received during previous comment periods, 
we have conducted a draft economic analysis of the proposed critical 
habitat designation. The draft economic analysis is available at the 
above Internet and mailing address. In order to accept the best and 
most current scientific data regarding the critical habitat proposal 
and the draft economic analysis of the proposal, we reopen the comment 
period at this time. We will accept written comments during this 
reopened comment period. Previously submitted oral or written comments 
on this critical habitat proposal need not be resubmitted. The current 
comment period on this proposal closes on July 28, 2000. Written 
comments may be submitted to the Service office in the ADDRESSES 
section.
    Author: The primary author of this notice is Glen Knowles (see 
ADDRESSES section).



[[Page 39851]]


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

    Dated: June 19, 2000.
Don W. Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 00-16276 Filed 6-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P