[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30642-30643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11001]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AG73


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of 
Critical Habitat for Holocarpha macradenia (Santa Cruz Tarplant)

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: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the reopening 
of the comment period for the proposed designation of critical habitat 
for the Santa Cruz tarplant (Holocarpha macradenia), and the 
availability of the draft economic analysis for the proposed 
designation of critical habitat. We are reopening the comment period 
for this species to allow all interested parties to comment 
simultaneously on the proposed rule and the associated draft economic 
analysis. 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 June 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and information should be submitted to 
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. For 
the electronic mail address, and further instructions on commenting, 
refer to Public Comments Solicited section of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Rutherford or Catrina Martin, 
Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
telephone 805/644-1766; facsimile 805/644-3958.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Holocarpha macradenia (Santa Cruz tarplant) is an aromatic annual 
herb in the aster family (Asteraceae) that is restricted to coastal 
terrace prairie habitat along the coast of central California. 
Holocarpha macradenia is one of only four species of the genus 
Holocarpha. All four are geographically restricted to California. The 
plant grows to the height of 10 to 50 centimeters (cm) (4 to 20 inches 
(in)). The yellow daisy-like flower head is surrounded from beneath by 
individual bracts (small leaf-like structure associated with flower 
head). Holocarpha macradenia is distinguished from other members of the 
genus by its numerous ray flowers and black anthers. Holocarpha 
macradenia is threatened primarily by historic and recent habitat 
destruction caused by residential development and habitat alteration 
caused primarily by land management practices that favor the increase 
of other species which compete with Holocarpha macradenia. Holocarpha 
macradenia is currently known from approximately 14 native and 8 
experimentally seeded populations in Contra Costa, Monterey, and Santa 
Cruz Counties.
    On June 17, 1999, our failure to issue a final rule and to make a 
critical habitat determination for Santa Cruz tarplant (Holocarpha 
macradenia) was challenged in Southwest Center for Biological Diversity 
and California Native Plant Society v. Babbitt (Case No. C99-2992 
(N.D.Cal.). Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), Holocarpha macradenia was listed as a 
threatened species on March 20, 2000 (65 FR 14898). On November 15, 
2001,

[[Page 30643]]

the proposed rule to designate critical habitat for Holocarpha 
macradenia was published in the Federal Register (66 FR 57526). The 
original comment period closed on January 14, 2002. We are reopening 
the comment period for an additional 30 days to allow all interested 
parties to comment simultaneously on the proposed rule and the 
associated draft economic analysis.
    We have proposed to designate approximately 1,360 hectares (3,360 
acres) in Contra Costa, Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, California, 
as critical habitat for Holocarpha macradenia. Critical habitat 
receives protection from destruction or adverse modification through 
required consultation under section 7 of the Act with regard to actions 
carried out, funded, or authorized by a Federal agency. Section 4(b)(2) 
of the Act requires that we designate or revise critical habitat based 
upon the best scientific and commercial data available, after taking 
into consideration the economic or any other relevant impact of 
specifying any particular area as critical habitat. Based upon the 
previously published proposal to designate critical habitat for 
Holocarpha macradenia, we have prepared a draft economic analysis of 
the proposed critical habitat designation. The draft economic analysis 
is available on the Internet and from the mailing addresses in the 
Public Comments Solicited section below.

Public Comments Solicited

    We will accept written comments and information during this 
reopened 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, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003.
    (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-AG73'' 
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 Ventura Fish and 
Wildlife Office at telephone number 805/644-1766.
    (3) You may hand-deliver comments to our Ventura 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 
draft economic analysis are available on the Internet at 
www.r1.fws.gov/news or by writing to the Manager at the address under 
(1) above.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Catrina Martin (see ADDRESSES 
section).

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

    Dated: April 24, 2002.
Craig Manson,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 02-11001 Filed 5-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P