[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 16, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 28294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4607]



[[Page 28294]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 22

RIN 1018-AT94


Protection of Bald Eagles; Definition; Extension of Public 
Comment Period

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service), are 
extending the comment for the proposed rule to establish a regulatory 
definition of ``disturb'' under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection 
Act. We are also extending the comment period on the proposed rule re-
opening the public comment period on the proposal to remove the bald 
eagle from the List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife under the 
Endangered Species Act, and on the draft National Bald Eagle Management 
Guidelines, via two additional notices published separately in today's 
issue of the Federal Register. Comments previously submitted need not 
be resubmitted as they have been incorporated into the public record 
and will be fully considered in the final decision and rule.

DATES: The public comment period is extended to June 19, 2006. Any 
comments received after the closing date may not be considered in the 
final decision on the proposal.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments and other information, identified by 
RIN 1018-AT94, by any of the following methods:
     Mail: Brian Millsap, Chief, Division of Migratory Bird 
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, 
MBSP-4107, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Attn: RIN 1018-AT94.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Same address as above.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``RIN 
1018-AT94'' in the subject line of the message.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    The complete file for this proposed rule is available for 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
Division of Migratory Bird Management, 4501 North Fairfax Drive, Room 
4107, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1610. Please call 703-358-1714 to make 
an appointment to view the files.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eliza Savage, Division of Migratory 
Bird Management, (see ADDRESSES section); or via e-mail at: [email protected]; telephone: (703) 358-2329; or facsimile: (703) 358-
2217.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 16, 2006, in anticipation of possible removal 
(delisting) of the bald eagle in the 48 contiguous States from the List 
of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the 
Service) proposed a regulatory definition of ``disturb'' under the Bald 
and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) to guide post-delisting bald 
eagle management (71 FR 8265). The Service concurrently proposed two 
other related actions: (1) a notice of availability of draft National 
Bald Eagle Management Guidelines (71 FR 8309, February 16, 2006); and 
(2) a re-opening of the comment period on our proposal to remove the 
bald eagle from the list of threatened and endangered species under the 
ESA (71 FR 8238, February 16, 2006). Due to the complexity of these 
related actions, we are extending the comment period for each action 
for an additional 30 days.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Bald and Golden Eagle 
Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d).

    Dated: May 10, 2006.
Matt Hogan,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 06-4607 Filed 5-12-06; 1:17 pm]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P