[Federal Register: December 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 249)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 72993-73003]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29de99-44]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF86

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed 
Endangered Status for Ambrosia pumila (San Diego Ambrosia) from 
Southern California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to list 
Ambrosia pumila (San Diego ambrosia) as endangered under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This plant is restricted to San 
Diego and Riverside Counties, California and Baja California, Mexico, 
from Colonet to Lake Chapala. Ambrosia pumila is primarily restricted 
to flat or sloping grasslands, often along valley bottoms or areas 
adjacent to vernal pools. This species is threatened by the following; 
destruction, fragmentation, and degradation of habitat by recreational 
and commercial development; highway construction and maintenance; 
construction and maintenance activities associated with a utility 
easement; competition from non-native plants; trampling by horses and 
humans; off-road vehicle (ORV) use; and inadequate regulatory 
mechanisms. This proposed rule, if made final, would extend protection 
under the Act to Ambrosia pumila.

DATES: Comments from all interested parties must be received by 
February 28, 2000. Requests for public hearings must be received by 
February 14, 2000.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and
materials concerning this proposal by any one of several methods.

   You may submit written comments to the Deputy Field Supervisor, 
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2730 
Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008.

    You may send comments by e-mail to ambrosia__pr@fws.gov. Please 
submit these comments as an ASCII file and avoid the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption. Please also include ``Attn: [RIN 
number]'' and your name and return address in your e-mail message. If 
you do not receive a confirmation from the system that we have received 
your e-mail message, contact us directly by calling our Carlsbad Fish 
and Wildlife Office at phone number 760-431-9440.

    You may hand-deliver comments to our Carlsbad office at 2730 Loker 
Avenue West, Carlsbad, California.

    Comments and materials received, as well as supporting 
documentation used in the preparation of this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary D. Wallace, Botanist, at the 
above address (telephone 760/431-9440; facsimile 760/918-0638).