[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56265-56266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27892]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF75


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Re-opening of 
Comment Period for the Proposal to List Hackelia venusta (Showy 
Stickseed)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; re-opening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
re-opening of the comment period for the proposed listing as endangered 
for Hackelia venusta (showy stickseed) under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended (Act). We are re-opening the comment period to 
accommodate the public notice requirement of the Act. Comments 
previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they will be 
incorporated into the public record as part of this extended comment 
period and will be fully considered in the final rule.

DATES: We will accept public comments until December 7, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and information should be submitted to 
Field Supervisor, Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 510 Desmond Drive SE., Suite 102, Lacey, 
Washington 98503-1263. For the electronic mail address, and further 
instructions on commenting, refer to Public Comments Solicited section 
of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, contact Ted 
Thomas or James Michaels, at the above address (telephone 360/753-9440; 
facsimile 360/753-9518).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   

Background

    Hackelia venusta (showy stickseed) is a showy perennial herb of the 
Borage family (Boraginaceae). It is a short, moderately stout species, 
20 to 40 centimeters (cm) (8 to 16 inches (in.)) tall, often with 
numerous, erect to ascending stems from a slender taproot, and has 
large, white, five-lobed flowers (Barrett et al. 1985). Hackelia 
venusta grows in openings within the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) 
and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forest types in one location in 
Tumwater Canyon, Chelan County, Washington. This population contains 
approximately 140 plants. Threats to this species include competition 
and shading from native trees and shrubs, encroachment by nonnative 
plant species, wildfire and fire suppression, and low seedling 
establishment. Reproductive vigor may be depressed because of the 
plant's small population size and limited gene pool.
    Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), Hackelia venusta was proposed for listing as 
an endangered species on February 14, 2000 (65 FR 7339). The original 
comment period closed on April 14, 2000. We intend to re-open the 
comment period for an additional 30 days to allow all interested 
parties to comment on the proposed rule.

Public Comments Solicited

    We will accept written comments and information during this re-
opened comment period. If you wish to comment, you may submit your 
comments and materials concerning this proposal by any of several 
methods:
    (1) You may submit written comments and information to the Field 
Supervisor, Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 510 Desmond Drive SE., Suite 102, Lacey, Washington 
98503-1263.
    (2) You may send comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to: 
[email protected]. If you submit comments by e-mail, 
please submit them as an ASCII file and avoid the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption. Please also include ``Attn: RIN 
1018-AF75'' and your name and return address in your e-mail message. If 
you do not receive a confirmation from the system that we have received 
your e-mail message, contact us directly by calling our Western 
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office at telephone number 360/753-9440.
    (3) You may hand-deliver comments to our Western Washington Fish 
and Wildlife Office at the address given above.
    Comments and materials received, as well as supporting 
documentation used in preparation of the proposal to designate critical 
habitat, will be available for inspection, by appointment, during 
normal business hours at the address under (1) above. Copies of the 
proposed rule is available on the Internet at our website 
``www.fws.gov'' or by writing to the Field Supervisor at the address 
under (1) above.

Authors

    The primary authors of this notice is Barb Behan, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife

[[Page 56266]]

Service, Regional Office, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-
4181, and Ted Thomas (see ADDRESSES section).

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

    Dated: September 28, 2001.
Donald V. Friberg,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 01-27892 Filed 11-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P