[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26684-26685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10640]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket Nos. FWS-R8-ES-2013-0072 and FWS-R8-ES-2013-0042; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-AY10; RIN 1018-AZ70


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Status 
for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse 
With Special Rule and Designation of Critical Habitat

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rules; notice of public hearings.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
locations and dates of public hearings to receive public comments on 
the October 28, 2013, proposed listing, critical habitat designation, 
and special rule for the bi-State distinct population segment (DPS) of 
greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus).

DATES: We will hold two public hearings on these proposed rules. The 
first will be in Minden, Nevada, on May 28, 2014, from 6:00 to 9:00 
p.m. (Pacific Time), and the second will be in Bishop, California, on 
May 29, 2014, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) (see ADDRESSES).

ADDRESSES: 
    Document availability: You may obtain copies of the proposed rules 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS Docket 
No. lations.govulations.go with special rule) and Docket No. FWSDocket 
No. lations.govulations.go with special rule) and Docket No.me) (see 
listing, critical habitatent of Greater Sage-Grouse entura Fish and 
Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Public hearing: The May 28, 2014, public hearing will be held at 
Carson Valley Inn, Valley Ballroom, 1627 U.S. Highway 395 North, 
Minden, Nevada 89423. The May 29, 2014, public hearing will be held at 
the Tri-County Fairgrounds, Home Economics Building, Sierra Street and 
Fair Drive, Bishop, CA 93514. People needing reasonable accommodations 
in order to attend and participate in either public hearing should 
contact Edward D. Koch, State Supervisor, Nevada Fish and Wildlife 
Office, as soon as possible (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the proposed 
listing rule, proposed special rule, and proposed critical habitat 
designation, contact Edward D. Koch, State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, 1340 Financial 
Boulevard, Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502; telephone 775-861-6300; or 
facsimile 775-861-6301. Persons who use a telecommunications device for 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On October 28, 2013, we published a proposed rule to list the bi-
State DPS of greater sage-grouse in California and Nevada as a 
threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(Act) (78 FR 64358), with a special rule under section 4(d) of the Act. 
We concurrently published a proposed rule to designate critical habitat 
(78 FR 64328). For a description of previous Federal actions concerning 
the bi-State DPS, please refer to the October 28, 2013, proposed rules. 
Both proposed rules opened a 60-day comment period scheduled to end 
December 27, 2013; however, we

[[Page 26685]]

received requests to extend the public comment periods on the proposed 
rules. In response to those requests, we announced on December 20, 
2013, an extension of the comment periods for an additional 45 days (78 
FR 77087) to February 10, 2014, to allow additional comment. On April 
8, 2014 we announced the reopening of another comment period for 60 
days (79 FR 19314) to June 9, 2014; that document also announced a 6-
month extension for a final determination on the proposed listing rule 
to occur no later than April 28, 2015.
    We are holding public hearings to provide interested parties an 
opportunity to present verbal testimony (formal, oral comments) or 
written comments regarding the proposals. A public hearing is a forum 
for accepting formal verbal testimony. Anyone wishing to testify 
verbally at the public hearings for the record is encouraged to also 
provide a written copy of their statement to us at the hearings. In the 
event of a large attendance, the time allotted for verbal testimony may 
be limited. Speakers can sign up at the hearings if they desire to make 
a verbal statement. Oral and written statements receive equal 
consideration. There are no limits on the length of written comments 
submitted to us.
    Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations to 
participate in either public hearing should contact the Nevada Fish and 
Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Reasonable 
accommodation requests should be received at least 3 business days 
prior to the hearing to help ensure that we can meet the requested 
assistance.

Authority

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

    Dated: May 1, 2014.
Rachel Jacobson,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2014-10640 Filed 5-8-14; 8:45 am]
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