[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60206-60207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24363]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AI50


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of the 
Comment Period for the Proposed Rule to List the Plant Lepidium 
papilliferum (slickspot peppergrass) as Endangered

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of reopening of comment period.

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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 Lepidium papilliferum (slickspot peppergrass) 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.

DATES: The original public comment period on the proposal closed on 
September 13, 2002. The public comment period is reopened, and we will 
accept comments until November 25, 2002. Comments must be received by 
5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Any comments that are received after the 
closing date may not be considered in the final decision on this 
action.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft proposal are available on the Internet 
at: http://endangered.fws.gov/frpubs/02fedreg.htm or by writing to the 
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Snake River Basin Office, 
1387 S. Vinnell Way, Room 368, Boise, ID 83709.
    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 Supervisor 
at the address above.
    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.
    Comments and materials received will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Ruesink, Supervisor, Snake 
River Basin Office (see ADDRESSES) (telephone 208/378-5243; facsimile 
208/378-5262). Information regarding this proposal is available in 
alternative formats upon request.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Lepidium papilliferum is a herbaceous annual or biennial plant that 
occurs in sagebrush-steppe habitats. This species is found along the 
Snake River Plain and Owyhee Plateau in Ada, Canyon, Gem, Elmore, 
Payette, and Owyhee counties. Lepidium papilliferum is threatened by a 
variety of activities including urbanization, gravel mining, irrigated 
agriculture, habitat degradation due to cattle and sheep grazing, fire 
and fire rehabilitation activities, and continued invasion of habitat 
by non-native plant species. Of 88 known occurrences of Lepidium 
papilliferum, 70 are currently extant (exist), 13 are considered 
extirpated (extinct), and five are historic and have not been 
relocated.
    Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act), we published a proposed rule to list 
Lepidium papilliferum as endangered on July 15, 2002 (67 FR 46441). For 
further information regarding background biological information, 
previous Federal actions, factors affecting the species, and 
conservation measures available to Lepidium papilliferum, please refer 
to our proposed rule published in the Federal Register on July 15, 
2002.

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 Lepidium papilliferum 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) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threat (or lack thereof) to this species;
    (2) Additional information regarding the range, locations, and 
population size of this species;
    (3) Land use practices and current or planned activities in the 
subject areas and their possible impacts on this species; and
    (4) The reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined 
to be critical habitat pursuant to section 4 of the Act, including 
whether the benefit of designation will outweigh any benefits of 
exclusion.
    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: RIN 1018-AI50'' 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 Snake River Basin Fish and Wildlife 
Office at telephone number 208/378-5243. Comments and materials 
received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the Snake River Basin Fish and Wildlife 
Office, at the above address.
    In making any final decision on the proposed action, we will take 
into consideration the comments and any

[[Page 60207]]

additional information we receive, and such communications may lead to 
a final regulation that differs from the proposal.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Barbara Behan, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Regional Office, Portland, Oregon.

Authority

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

    Dated: September 18, 2002.
Craig Manson,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 02-24363 Filed 9-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P