[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13504-13505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6416]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AJ26


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Extension of 
Amended Special Regulations for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period and notice of public 
hearing.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are 
extending the comment period on a proposed rule

[[Page 13505]]

that would permanently extend the amended special regulations governing 
take of the threatened Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius 
preblei). 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. We also 
are holding a public hearing to receive oral comments on this proposed 
rule.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 12, 2004, to 
receive consideration. (see ``Public Hearings and Meetings'' section 
for time and location of the public hearing).

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Colorado Ecological Services 
Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 755 Parfet Street, Suite 
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. The complete file for this rule is 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Colorado Ecological 
Services Field Office at the address given above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: In Colorado, contact Susan Linner, 
Field Supervisor, at the above address or telephone (303) 275-2370. In 
Wyoming, contact Brian Kelly, Field Supervisor, 4000 Airport Parkway, 
Cheyenne, Wyoming, at telephone (307) 772-2374.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On May 22, 2001, the Service adopted special regulations governing 
take of the threatened Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius 
preblei), which provide exemption from take provisions under section 9 
of the Endangered Species Act for certain activities related to rodent 
control, ongoing agricultural activities, landscape maintenance, and 
existing uses of water. On October 1, 2002, the Service amended those 
regulations to provide exemptions for certain activities related to 
noxious weed control and ongoing ditch maintenance activities. On 
February 24, 2004, we published a proposed rule in the Federal Register 
(69 FR 8359) to permanently extend these special regulations, as 
amended, and solicited public comments. Please refer to the proposed 
rule for background information, a summary of previous Federal actions, 
and provisions of the special regulations. We are now extending the 
public comment period and holding a public hearing on this proposed 
rule.

Public Comments Solicited

    We intend that any final action resulting from this proposal will 
be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we solicit 
comments from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the 
scientific community, industry, or any other interested party 
concerning the proposed rule. Our practice is to make comments, 
including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public 
review during regular business hours. In some circumstances, we will 
withhold a respondent's identity from the rulemaking record, 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 comments. 
However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will make all 
submissions from organizations or businesses available for public 
inspection in their entirety (see ADDRESSES section).

Public Hearing and Meetings

    On March 9, 2004, we received a request for a public hearing on the 
proposed extension of the amended special rule. In response to this 
request, we will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 1, 2004, from 
6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Platte County Public Library, 904 9th 
Street, Wheatland, Wyoming.
    Anyone wishing to make an oral comment or statement for the record 
at the public hearing listed above is encouraged (but not required) to 
also provide a written copy of the statement and present it to us at 
the hearing. Oral and written statements receive equal consideration. 
In the event there is a large attendance, the time allotted for oral 
statements may be limited.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Mary Jennings, Wyoming Field 
Office, telephone 307-772-2374.

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

    Dated: March 17, 2004.
Mary G. Henry,
Acting Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 04-6416 Filed 3-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P