[Federal Register: August 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 167)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 47126-47134]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30au99-13]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AC09

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Status 
for Lake Erie Water Snakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum) on the Offshore 
Islands of Western Lake Erie

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act), we (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) determine 
threatened status for the Lake Erie water snake (Nerodia sipedon 
insularum) found among the western Lake Erie offshore islands and 
adjacent waters in the U.S. and Canada. This listing does not extend 
the Act's protection to water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) found on the 
U.S. mainland, Canadian mainland, or the adjacent near-shore U.S. 
islands (e.g., Mouse Island and Johnson Island in Ohio). Small 
population size, persecution by humans, and habitat destruction are the 
primary threats. This action implements the Act's protections for the 
Lake Erie water snake. In addition, it identifies specific handling 
conditions that do not violate the Act's prohibitions.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of this rule is August 30, 1999 (see 
``Effective Date'' section under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below).

ADDRESSES: The complete file for this rule is available for inspection, 
by appointment, during normal business hours, at offices of the U. S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and in 
Reynoldsburg, Ohio. The Minnesota office is located at the Federal 
Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4056. The 
Ohio office is located at 6950-H Americana Parkway, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 
43068.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Buddy B. Fazio, endangered species 
biologist, Ohio (614-469-6923 ext. 13) or Jennifer Szymanski, 
biologist, Division of Endangered Species, Minnesota (612-713-5342) at 
the above addresses.