[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 211 (Thursday, October 31, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66377-66378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27650]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AH40


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing the Sonoma 
County Distinct Population Segment of the California Tiger Salamander 
as Endangered

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
reopening of the comment period for the proposed rule to list the 
Sonoma County Distinct Population Segment of the California tiger 
salamander (Ambystoma californiense) as endangered under the authority 
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We are reopening the 
comment period to allow interested parties additional time to submit 
information to us for our consideration in making the final 
determination for this species. Comments already submitted on the 
proposed rule need not be resubmitted as they will be fully considered 
in the final determination.

DATES: Comments and information from all interested parties will be 
accepted until 5 p.m. on December 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments and materials concerning the 
proposed rule to Wayne S. White, Field Supervisor, ATTN: SCCTS, 
Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
2800 Cottage Way Room W-2605, Sacramento, CA 95825. Written comments 
may also be sent by facsimile to 916/414-6713 or through the internet 
to [email protected]. You may also hand-deliver 
written comments to our Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, at the 
above address. Comments and materials received, as well as supporting 
documentation used in the preparation of this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at the above address. You may obtain copies of the proposed rule 
from the above address, by calling 916/414-6600, or from our Web site 
at http://sacramento.fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Moore or Chris Nagano, 
Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way Room W-2605, 
Sacramento, CA 95825 (telephone 916/414-6600, facsimile 916/414-6713 or

[[Page 66378]]

visit our website at http://sacramento.fws.gov/).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the California tiger 
salamander is restricted to a portion of the Santa Rosa Plain in Sonoma 
County, California, extending from approximately Santa Rosa south to 
the Cotati area. The factors imperiling this animal in Sonoma County 
include habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation, 
collection, invasive exotic species, and inadequate regulatory 
mechanisms. Because of its small numbers, this DPS also is highly 
vulnerable to chance environmental or demographic events such as 
drought, disease, or fluctuations in mating success.
    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 
Sonoma County Distinct Population Segment of the California tiger 
salamander as endangered on July 22, 2002 (67 FR 47726-47740). The 
emergency rule provides immediate Federal protection to this DPS for a 
period of 240 days. We also published a proposed rule on July 22, 2002, 
to list the Sonoma County DPS of the California tiger salamander as 
endangered under our normal listing procedures (67 FR 47758-47760). A 
public hearing on the proposed rule was held on October 1, 2002, in 
Santa Rosa, California.
    For further information regarding background biological 
information, previous Federal actions, factors affecting the 
subspecies, and conservation measures available to the Sonoma County 
DPS of the California tiger salamander, please refer to our emergency 
and proposed rules published in the Federal Register on July 22, 2002.

Public Comments Solicited

    We solicit additional information and comments that may assist us 
in making a final decision on the proposed rule to list the Sonoma 
County DPS of the California tiger salamander as endangered. We intend 
that any final listing action resulting from our proposal will be as 
accurate and effective as possible. Therefore, we are reopening the 
comment period to solicit 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 the Sonoma County DPS of the California 
tiger salamander;
    (2) The location of any additional breeding sites of this DPS, and 
the reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined to be 
critical habitat pursuant to section 4 of the Act;
    (3) Additional information concerning the range, biology, ecology, 
or population size of this DPS; and
    (4) Current or planned activities or land use practices in the 
subject area and their possible impacts on this species in Sonoma 
County.
    The comment period, which originally closed on September 20, 2002, 
and was then extended to October 21, 2002 (67 FR 54761, August 26, 
2002), will now close on the date specified above in the DATES section. 
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: SCCTS'' 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 Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office at 
telephone number 916/414-6600. Comments and materials received will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, at the above address.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Chris Nagano, Deputy Chief, 
Endangered Species Division (see ADDRESSES section).

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

    Dated: October 16, 2002.
Marshall P. Jones, Jr.,
Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 02-27650 Filed 10-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P