[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 10, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57987-57988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27056]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[FWS-R9-IA-2009-12]
[96100-1671-000-B6]
[RIN 1018-AV75]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule To 
List Five Foreign Bird Species in Colombia and Ecuador, South America, 
Under the Endangered Species Act

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the public comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
reopening of the public comment period on our July 7, 2009, proposal to 
list four species of birds from Colombia -- the blue-billed curassow 
(Crax alberti), the brown-banded antpitta (Grallaria milleri), the 
Cauca guan (Penelope perspicax), and the gorgeted wood-quail 
(Odontophorus strophium) -- and one bird species from Ecuador -- the 
Esmeraldas woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi) -- as endangered under 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.). This proposal, if made final, would extend the Act's protection 
to these species.

DATES: We are reopening the public comment period. To allow us adequate 
time to consider and incorporate submitted information into our review, 
we request that we receive information on or before December 10, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: FWS-R9-IA-2009-12; Division of Policy and Directives Management; 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; 
Arlington, VA 22203.
    We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see the Public Comments section below for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Krofta, Chief, Branch of 
Listing, Endangered Species Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, VA 22203; telephone 703-
358-2171; facsimile 703-

[[Page 57988]]

358-1735. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), 
you may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-
8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Public Comments
    We reopen the public comment period on our July 7, 2009, proposal 
(74 FR 32308) to list four species of birds from Colombia -- the blue-
billed curassow (Crax alberti), the brown-banded antpitta (Grallaria 
milleri), the Cauca guan (Penelope perspicax), and the gorgeted wood-
quail (Odontophorus strophium) -- and one bird species from Ecuador -- 
the Esmeraldas woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi) -- as endangered 
under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Some peer review comments have 
already been received during the initial comment period on the proposal 
and may be found at http://www.regulations.gov. In order to allow for 
additional peer review, we are reopening the comment period for an 
additional 30 days. Comments previously received on this proposal need 
not be resubmitted, as they are already incorporated in the public 
record and will be fully considered in the final determination. We 
request information from the public, other concerned governmental 
agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested 
parties concerning the status of these species. We are seeking 
information regarding:
    (1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threats (or lack thereof) to these species and regulations that may 
be addressing those threats.
    (2) Additional information concerning the taxonomy, range, 
distribution, and population size of these species, including the 
locations of any additional populations of these species.
    (3) Any information on the biological or ecological requirements of 
these species.
    (4) Current or planned activities in the areas occupied by these 
species and possible impacts of these activities on these species.
    (5) Any information concerning the effects of climate change on 
these species or their habitats.
    Please note that submissions merely stating support for or 
opposition to the action under consideration without providing 
supporting information, although noted, will not be considered in 
making a determination, as section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that 
determinations as to whether any species is a threatened or endangered 
species must be made ``solely on the basis of the best scientific and 
commercial data available.'' Information previously submitted need not 
be resubmitted as it has already been incorporated into the public 
record and will be fully considered.
    You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods 
listed in the ADDRESSES section.
    If you submit information via http://www.regulations.gov, your 
entire submission--including any personal identifying information--will 
be posted on the website. If your submission is made via a hardcopy 
that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the 
top of your document that we withhold this information from public 
review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We 
will post all hardcopy submissions on http://www.regulations.gov. 
Please include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to 
verify any scientific or commercial information you include.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing our proposed rule, will be available 
for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by appointment, 
during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Endangered Species Program, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, 
VA 22203; telephone 703-358-2171 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Background

    On July 7, 2009, we published a proposed rule to list five foreign 
bird species in Colombia and Ecuador, South America as endangered 
throughout their range under the Act: four species of birds from 
Colombia -- the blue-billed curassow (Crax alberti), the brown-branded 
antpitta (Grallaria milleri), the Cauca guan (Penelope perspicax), and 
the gorgeted wood-quail (Odontophorus strophium) - and one bird species 
from Ecuador - the Esmeraldas woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi) (74 FR 
32308). This proposal, if made final, would extend the Act's protection 
to these species. The Service seeks data and comments from the public 
on our proposed rule. We received multiple peer review comments. In 
order to allow for the public to review these comments and have an 
opportunity to comment, we are reopening the public comment period for 
30 days.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4 of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: November 3, 2009
Rowan W. Gould,
Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
[FR Doc. E9-27056 Filed 11-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-S