Federal Register: November 7, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 216)
DOCID: FR Doc 01-27892
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
CFR Citation: 50 CFR Part 17
RIN ID: RIN 1018-AF75
NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES
ACTION: Endangered and threatened species:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Proposed rule; re-opening of comment period.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Re-opening of Comment Period for the Proposal to List Hackelia venusta (Showy Stickseed)
DATES: We will accept public comments until December 7, 2001.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the comment period for the proposed listing as endangered for Hackelia venusta (showy stickseed) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are reopening the comment period to accommodate the public notice requirement of the Act. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they will be incorporated into the public record as part of this extended comment period and will be fully considered in the final rule.
SUMMARY:
Showy stickseed,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Background
Hackelia venusta (showy stickseed) is a showy perennial herb of the Borage family (Boraginaceae). It is a short, moderately stout species, 20 to 40 centimeters (cm) (8 to 16 inches (in.)) tall, often with numerous, erect to ascending stems from a slender taproot, and has large, white, fivelobed flowers (Barrett et al. 1985). Hackelia venusta grows in openings within the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and Douglasfir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forest types in one location in Tumwater Canyon, Chelan County, Washington. This population contains approximately 140 plants. Threats to this species include competition and shading from native trees and shrubs, encroachment by nonnative plant species, wildfire and fire suppression, and low seedling establishment. Reproductive vigor may be depressed because of the plant's small population size and limited gene pool.
Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), Hackelia venusta was proposed for listing as an endangered species on February 14, 2000 (65 FR 7339). The original comment period closed on April 14, 2000. We intend to reopen the comment period for an additional 30 days to allow all interested parties to comment on the proposed rule.
Public Comments Solicited
We will accept written comments and information during this re
opened comment period. If you wish to comment, you may submit your
comments and materials concerning this proposal by any of several methods:
(1) You may submit written comments and information to the Field
Supervisor, Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 510 Desmond Drive SE., Suite 102, Lacey, Washington 985031263.
(2) You may send comments by electronic mail (email) to:
fw1wwo_showystickseed@r1.fws.gov. If you submit comments by email,
please submit them as an ASCII file and avoid the use of special
characters and any form of encryption. Please also include ``Attn: RIN
1018AF75'' and your name and return address in your email message. If
you do not receive a confirmation from the system that we have received
your email message, contact us directly by calling our Western
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office at telephone number 360/7539440.
(3) You may handdeliver comments to our Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office at the address given above.
Comments and materials received, as well as supporting
documentation used in preparation of the proposal to designate critical
habitat, will be available for inspection, by appointment, during
normal business hours at the address under (1) above. Copies of the proposed rule is available on the Internet at our website
``www.fws.gov'' or by writing to the Field Supervisor at the address under (1) above.
Authors
The primary authors of this notice is Barb Behan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
[[Page 56266]]
Service, Regional Office, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232 4181, and Ted Thomas (see ADDRESSES section).
Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: September 28, 2001.
Donald V. Friberg,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 0127892 Filed 11601; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 431055P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
For general information, contact Ted Thomas or James Michaels, at the above address (telephone 360/7539440; facsimile 360/7539518).