[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66395-66396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29533]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1080-AI82


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status 
for Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Addax, and Dama Gazelle

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), provide 
notice of the reopening of the comment period for the proposed rule to 
list three species of antelope: scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), 
addax (Addax nasomaculatus), and dama gazelle (Gazella dama), as 
endangered. The comment period is reopened to accommodate requests by 
two non-government organizations for additional time to provide 
information. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted 
because they will be incorporated into the public record as part of 
this comment period and will be fully considered in the final 
determination.

DATES: The most recent comment period for the proposed rule closed 
October 22, 2003. With this reopening notification, written comments 
may now be submitted until January 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit any comments, information, and questions by mail to 
the Chief, Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 750, Arlington, VA 22203; or by 
fax to 703-358-2276; or by e-mail to [email protected]. 
Comments and supporting information will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the above address. 
You may also obtain copies of the November 5, 1991, proposed rule, and 
the July 24, 2003, notice to reopen the comment period from the above 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eleanora Babij at the above address, 
or by phone, 703-358-1708; fax, 703-358-2276; or e-mail, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), addax (Addax 
nasomaculatus), and dama gazelle (Gazella dama) originally occupied the 
same general region of North Africa. The reasons for the decline of all 
three antelope species are similar. Desertification, coupled with 
severe droughts, has dramatically reduced available habitat. The growth 
of permanent farming has brought additional pressures, such as human 
habitat disturbance and competition from domestic livestock, which have 
restricted these antelopes to marginal habitat. Additional pressures 
from the civil wars in Chad and the Sudan have resulted in increased 
military activity, construction, and uncontrolled hunting.
    For further information regarding background biological 
information, factors affecting the species, and conservation measures 
available to scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama gazelle, please 
refer to the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on 
November 5, 1991 (56 FR 56491), and the notice to reopen the comment 
period published on July 24, 2003 (68 FR 43706).

Public Comments Solicited

    We will accept written comments and information during this 
reopened comment period from the public, other concerned governmental 
agencies, the

[[Page 66396]]

scientific community, industry, or any other interested party. Comments 
particularly are sought concerning;
    (1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threat (or lack thereof) to the scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and 
dama gazelle;
    (2) Additional information concerning the range, distribution, and 
population size of the scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama gazelle;
    (3) Current planned activities in the species' range and their 
possible impacts on the scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama gazelle;
    (4) Information on the validity of G. d. lozanoi as a subspecies;
    (5) Alternatives to the treatment of captive and non-native free-
ranging populations of scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama gazelle; 
and
    (6) Information on the genetic integrity of captive and non-native 
free-ranging populations of scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama 
gazelle, and particularly whether any captive or non-native free 
ranging populations are likely to have been hybridized.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. Any person commenting may request that we withhold 
their home address, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. 
In some circumstances, we may also withhold a commenter's identity, as 
allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name or address, you 
must state this request prominently at the beginning of your comment. 
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, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Division of Scientific 
Authority (see ADDRESSES section).

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Eleanora Babij, Division of 
Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (see ADDRESSES 
section).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C. 
4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500; unless otherwise noted.

    Dated: November 14, 2003.
Steve Williams,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 03-29533 Filed 11-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P