[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 60 (Thursday, March 29, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14760-14761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5744]



[[Page 14760]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AU53


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designating the 
Northern Rocky Mountain Population of Gray Wolf as a Distinct 
Population Segment and Removing This Distinct Population Segment From 
the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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

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SUMMARY: Under the Endangered Species Act (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (Service), announce an extension of the comment period 
for the proposed rule to establish a distinct population segment (DPS) 
of the gray wolf (Canis lupus) in the Northern Rocky Mountains (NRM) of 
the United States and to remove the gray wolf in the NRM DPS from the 
List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List) under the Act. We 
also announce the location and time of one additional public hearing to 
receive public comments on this proposal. If you previously submitted 
comments, please do not resubmit them because we have already 
incorporated them into the public record and will fully consider them 
in our final decision and rule.

DATES: The public comment period is extended until May 9, 2007. We may 
not consider any comments we receive after the closing date. We will 
hold a public hearing on April 19, 2007. For more information, see 
``Public Hearing and Comments.''

ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment, you may submit comments and 
materials concerning this proposal, identified by ``RIN number 1018-
AU53,'' by any one of the following methods:
    1. Federal e-Rulemaking Portal--http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    2. [email protected]. Include ``RIN number 1018-
AU53'' in the subject line of the message.
    3. Fax--(406) 449-5339.
    4. U.S. mail, hand delivery, or courier--U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Western Gray Wolf Recovery Coordinator, 585 Shepard Way, 
Helena, MT 59601.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparation of this proposed action, will be 
available for inspection following the close of the comment period, by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at our Helena office (see 
ADDRESSES).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward E. Bangs, Western Gray Wolf 
Recovery Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at our Helena 
office (see ADDRESSES) or telephone (406) 449-5225, extension 204. 
Persons who use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf may call the 
Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339, 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On February 8, 2007, we published a proposal to establish a DPS of 
the wolf (Canis lupus) in the NRM of the United States and to remove 
the NRM DPS from the List (71 FR 6106). The comment period on this 
proposal opened February 8, 2007, and extends to April 9, 2007. Due to 
the complexity of this proposed action, we are extending the comment 
period for 30 days to allow the public ample opportunity to comment on 
this complex proposal.

Public Hearing and Comments

    One additional open house, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (brief 
presentations about the proposed rule will be given at both 3 p.m. and 
4 p.m.), and one additional public hearing, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., will 
be held on:
    April 19, 2007, Thursday, at the Cody Auditorium Facility, 1240 
Beck Avenue, Cody, WY 82414.
    Anyone wishing to make an oral statement for the record is 
encouraged to provide a written copy of their statement and present it 
to us at the hearing. In the event there is a large attendance, the 
time allotted for oral statements may be limited. Speakers can sign up 
only at the open houses and hearings. Oral and written statements 
receive equal consideration. There are no limits on the length of 
written comments submitted to us. If you have any questions concerning 
the public hearing, please contact Sharon Rose (303) 236-4580. If you 
need reasonable accommodations in order to attend and participate in 
the public hearing, please contact Sharon Rose at (303) 236-4580 as 
soon as possible in order to allow sufficient time to process requests. 
Please call no later than 1 week before the hearing date. Information 
regarding the proposal is available in alternative formats upon 
request.
    The purpose of the public hearing is to provide additional 
opportunity for the public to comment on this complex proposal. Public 
hearings are the only method for comments and data to be presented 
verbally for entry into the public record of this rulemaking and for 
our consideration during our final decision. Comments and data also can 
be submitted in writing or electronically, as described in our February 
8, 2007, proposal (71 FR 6106) and in the ADDRESSES section above.
    We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule 
will 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 this proposed rule. We solicit information, data, 
comments or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental 
agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested 
party concerning this proposal. Generally, we seek information, data, 
and comments concerning the boundaries of the proposed NRM DPS and the 
status of gray wolf in the NRM. Specifically, we seek documented, 
biological data on the status and management of the NRM wolf population 
and its habitat.
    Submit comments as indicated under ADDRESSES. If you wish to submit 
comments by e-mail, please include your name and return address in your 
e-mail message.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you 
should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal 
identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we 
will be able to do so. We will take into consideration the comments and 
any additional information received during the comment period on this 
proposed rule during our preparation of a final rulemaking. 
Accordingly, our final decision may differ from this proposal.

Authority

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


[[Page 14761]]


    Dated: March 23, 2007.
Kenneth Stansell,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-5744 Filed 3-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P