[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 162 (Monday, August 21, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50672-50673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21308]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF97


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 San Diego Fairy Shrimp

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 for the proposed designation of critical 
habitat for the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis). 
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 May 8, 2000. The comment period is again reopened and we will 
accept

[[Page 50673]]

comments until September 11, 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/sdfs'' or by writing to 
the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and 
Wildlife Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California, 92008. 
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-AF97'' 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: The Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 
at the above address (telephone 760-431-9440; facsimile 760-431-9440).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The San Diego fairy shrimp is a small aquatic crustacean restricted 
to vernal pools (pools that have water in them for only a portion of a 
given year) in coastal southern California and south to northwestern 
Baja California, Mexico. It is found in small shallow vernal pools and 
ephemeral (lasting a short time) basins that range in depth from 
approximately 5 to 30 centimeters (2 to 12) inches (Simovich and Fugate 
1992; Hathaway and Simovich 1996). Mature individuals lack a carapace 
(hard outer covering of the head and thorax) and have a delicate 
elongate body, large stalked compound eyes, and 11 pairs of swimming 
legs. They swim or glide upside down by means of complex wave-like 
beating movements of the legs and pass from front to back. Adult male 
San Diego fairy shrimp range in size from 9 to 16 millimeters (mm) 
(0.35 to 0.63 inches (in.)), adult females are 3 to 14 mm (0.31 to 0.55 
in.) long. Vernal pools are found in various areas in California. They 
are found in regions with Mediterranean climates, where shallow 
depressions fill with water during fall and winter rains and then 
evaporate in the spring (Collie and Lathrop 1976; Holland and Jain 
1997, 1998; Thorne 1984; Zedler 1987; Simovich; and Hathaway 1997). 
Urban and water development, flood control, highway and utility 
projects, as well as conversion of wildlands to agricultural use, have 
eliminated vernal pools and/or their watersheds in southern California 
(Jones and Stokes Associates 1987). Also threatening the San Diego 
fairy shrimp are changes in the hydrologic pattern, overgrazing, and 
off-road vehicle use.
    On March 8, 2000, the Fish and Wildlife Service published a rule 
proposing critical habitat for the San Diego fairy shrimp Branchinecta 
sandiegonensis in the Federal Register (65 FR 12181), a species 
Federally listed as endangered throughout its range. We proposed the 
designation of approximately 36,000 acres of critical habitat for the 
San Diego fairy shrimp 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 San 
Diego fairy shrimp 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 (see ADDRESSES). 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. Previously submitted oral or 
written comments on this critical habitat proposal need not be 
resubmitted. The current comment period on this proposal closes on 
September 15, 2000. Written comments may be submitted tot he Service 
office in the ADDRESSES section.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is the Carisbad Fish and Wildlife 
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: August 16, 2000.
Don Weathers,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 00-21308 Filed 8-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P