[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30645-30646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11000]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AI18


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing the Carson 
Wandering Skipper as Endangered

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of reopening of comment period, and 
notice of public informational meeting.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
reopening of the public comment period for the proposed rule to list 
the Carson wandering skipper (Pseudocopaeodes eunus obscurus) as 
endangered. The comment period is reopened to allow additional time for 
all interested parties to submit written comments on the proposal. 
Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they already 
have been incorporated into the public record and will be fully 
considered in the final rule. Additionally, we are announcing that a 
public informational meeting will be held to share information and 
answer questions from interested persons regarding the species and the 
listing proposal.

DATES: We will accept comments until the close of business on June 6, 
2002. The public meeting will be held on May 22, 2002, from 5 p.m. to 7 
p.m. at the Lassen County Fairgrounds Commercial Building in 
Susanville, California.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft proposal are available on the Internet 
at: http://endangered.fws.gov/frpubs/01fedreg.htm or by writing to the 
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and 
Wildlife Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502.
    If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and materials 
concerning this proposal by any one of several methods:
    You may submit written comments and information to the Field 
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife 
Office, at the above address.
    You may also send comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to: 
[email protected]. See the Public Comments Solicited section 
below for file format and other information about electronic filing.
    You may hand-deliver comments to our Nevada Fish and Wildlife 
Office,

[[Page 30646]]

1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502.
    Comments and materials received will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcy Haworth, Nevada Fish and 
Wildlife Office, at telephone 775/861-6300; facsimile 775/861-6301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The genus Pseudocopaeodes in the family Hesperiidae and subfamily 
Hesperiinae (grass skippers) contains only one species, Pseudocopaeodes 
eunus. The Carson wandering skipper (Pseudocopaeodes eunus obscurus) is 
one of five subspecies in this genus and is locally distributed in 
grassland habitats on alkaline substrates in eastern California and 
western Nevada. Currently, it is known from only two populations, one 
in Washoe County, Nevada, and one in Lassen County, California.
    Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act), we published an emergency rule to list the 
Carson wandering skipper as endangered on November 29, 2001 (66 FR 
59537). The emergency rule provides immediate Federal protection to 
this subspecies for a period of 240 days. We also published a proposed 
rule on November 29, 2001, to list the Carson wandering skipper as 
endangered under our normal listing procedures (66 FR 59550).
    For further information regarding background biological 
information, previous Federal actions, factors affecting the 
subspecies, and conservation measures available to the Carson wandering 
skipper, please refer to our emergency and proposed rules published in 
the Federal Register on November 29, 2001.

Public Comments Solicited

    With this notification, we solicit additional information and 
comments that may assist us in making a final decision on the proposed 
rule to list the Carson wandering skipper as endangered. We intend that 
any final listing action resulting from our proposal will be as 
accurate and effective as possible. Therefore, we request comments and 
additional information from the general public, other concerned 
governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other 
interested party concerning this proposed rule. Comments are 
particularly sought concerning:
    (1) The location of any additional populations of this subspecies, 
and the reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined to 
be critical habitat pursuant to section 4 of the Act;
    (2) Additional information regarding the range, distribution, and 
population size of this subspecies;
    (3) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data regarding 
any threat (or lack thereof) to the Carson wandering skipper; and
    (4) Current or planned activities or land use practices that could 
potentially impact the Carson wandering skipper.
    Previously submitted written comments on this proposal need not be 
resubmitted. If you submit comments by e-mail, please submit them in 
ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters and 
encryption. Please include ``Attn: Carson wandering skipper'' and your 
name and return address in your e-mail message. If you do not receive a 
confirmation from our system that we have received your e-mail message, 
contact us directly by calling our Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office at 
telephone number 775/861-6300. Comments and materials received will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, at the above address.

Public Meeting

    A public informational meeting on the proposed listing of the 
Carson wandering skipper is scheduled to be held on May 22, 2002, from 
5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Lassen County Fairgrounds Commercial Building 
in Susanville, California. Please contact the Nevada Fish and Wildlife 
Office at the above address with any questions concerning this public 
meeting.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Marcy Haworth of the Nevada 
Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section).

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

    Dated: April 24, 2002.
Marshall P. Jones, Jr.,
Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 02-11000 Filed 5-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P