[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 26 (Thursday, February 9, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02609]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 223

[Docket No. 150211138-7024-02]
RIN 0648-XD771


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule To List 
Two Guitarfishes as Threatened Under the Endangered Species Act

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective date.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2017, from 
the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled 
``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' published in the Federal Register 
on January 24, 2017 (the Memorandum), this action delays the final rule 
NMFS published on January 19, 2017.

DATES: Effective February 9, 2017, the effective date of the final rule 
amending 50 CFR part 223, that published on January 19, 2017, at 82 FR 
6309, is delayed until March 21, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marta Nammack, NMFS, Office of 
Protected Resources (OPR), (301) 427-8403.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 19, 2017, NMFS published the 
final rule to list two foreign marine guitarfish species under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA). We considered comments submitted on the 
proposed listing rule and have determined that the blackchin guitarfish 
(Rhinobatos cemiculus) and common guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) 
warrant listing as threatened species. We will not designate critical 
habitat for either of these species because the geographical areas 
occupied by these species are entirely outside U.S. jurisdiction, and 
we have not identified any unoccupied areas within U.S. jurisdiction 
that are currently essential to the conservation of either of these 
species.
    On January 20, 2017, the White House issued a memorandum 
instructing Federal agencies to temporarily postpone the effective date 
for 60 days after January 20, 2017, of any regulations or guidance 
documents that have published in the Federal Register but not yet taken 
effect, for the purpose of ``reviewing questions of fact, law, and 
policy they raise.'' In accordance with this memorandum, this action 
delays the final rule NMFS published on January 19, 2017, at 82 FR 
6309, until March 21, 2017.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 223

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, 
Transportation.

    Dated: February 3, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-02609 Filed 2-8-17; 8:45 am]
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