[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70202-70203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29618]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AI46


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period and Announcement of Public Hearings on Designation of 
Critical Habitat for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius 
preblei)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Reopening of public comment period and announcement of public 
hearings.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is reopening the 
comment period on the Service's proposal to designate critical habitat 
for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) (67 FR 
47154, July 17, 2002). The comment period will remain open for 60 days. 
In addition, the Service will host two public hearings on the proposal 
on November 21, 2002, at the Jefferson County Courts and Administrative 
Building in Golden, Colorado.

DATES: The public comment period for the proposed rule is reopened for 
a period of 60 days, beginning November 21, 2002 and ending January 21, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments and information to Preble's 
Mouse Comments, Colorado Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 755 Parfet Street, Suite

[[Page 70203]]

361, Lakewood, Colorado 80215, or by facsimile to 303-275-2371. You may 
hand deliver written comments to our Colorado Ecological Services Field 
Office at the address given above. You may send comments by electronic 
mail (e-mail) to [email protected]. See the ``Public Comments 
Solicited'' section below for file format and other information on 
electronic filing. You may review comments and materials received, as 
well as supporting documentation used in preparation of this proposed 
rule, by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service's Colorado Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LeRoy Carlson, Colorado Field 
Supervisor, at the above address or telephone 303-275-2370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Preble's meadow jumping mouse, a small rodent in the family 
Zapodidae, is known to occur only in eastern Colorado and southeastern 
Wyoming. It lives primarily in heavily vegetated riparian habitats and 
immediately adjacent upland habitats. Habitat loss and degradation 
caused by agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial 
development resulted in the Preble's meadow jumping mouse being listed 
as a threatened species throughout its range on May 13, 1998 (62 FR 
26517).
    On July 17, 2000, the Service proposed to designate critical 
habitat for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act (67 FR 47154). The proposed designation includes 
19 habitat units totaling approximately 23,248 hectares (57,446 acres) 
found along 1,058.1 kilometers (657.5 miles) of rivers and streams in 
Colorado and Wyoming.
    Critical habitat identifies specific areas, both occupied and 
unoccupied, that are essential to the conservation of a listed species 
and that may require special management considerations or protection. 
If the proposed rule is made final, section 7 of the Endangered Species 
Act will prohibit destruction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat by any activity funded, authorized, or carried out by any 
Federal agency; and Federal agencies proposing actions affecting areas 
designated as critical habitat must consult with us on the effects of 
their proposed actions, pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered 
Species Act.

Public Comments Solicited

    We intend any final action resulting from the proposal to be as 
accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we solicit comments 
or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, 
the scientific community, industry, or any other interested party 
concerning the proposed rule.
    If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and materials 
concerning the proposal by any one of several methods (see ADDRESSES). 
If you would like to submit comments by electronic format, please 
submit them in ASCII file format and avoid the use of special 
characters and encryption. Please include your name and return e-mail 
address in your e-mail message. Please note that the e-mail address 
will be closed out at the termination of the public comment period. If 
you do not receive confirmation from the system that we have received 
your message, contact us directly by calling our Colorado Ecological 
Services Field Office at 303-275-2370.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold 
their home address, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. 
If you wish us to withhold your name or address, you must state this 
request prominently at the beginning of your comments. However, we will 
not consider anonymous comments. To the extent consistent with 
applicable law, we will make all submissions from organizations or 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available 
for public inspection in their entirety. Comments and materials 
received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the address listed under ADDRESSES.

Public Hearings

    The Service will host two public hearings on the proposal on 
November 21, 2002, at the Jefferson County Courts and Administrative 
Building at 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden, Colorado. The 
hearings will be held in the First Floor Hearing Room. Information 
sessions followed by an opportunity to ask questions regarding the 
proposal will begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and formal hearings, providing 
an opportunity to present comments on the proposal, will begin at 2 
p.m. and 7 p.m.

Author

    The author of this notice is Peter Plage, Colorado Field Office 
(see ADDRESSES above), telephone 303-275-2370.

Authority

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

    Dated: October 31, 2002.
Steve Williams,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29618 Filed 11-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P