[Federal Register: February 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 30)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 7587-7601]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16fe99-26]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF35

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Proposed 
Threatened Status for the Mountain Plover

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to list the 
mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) as a threatened species pursuant 
to the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973. The mountain plover is a 
bird of shortgrass prairie and shrub-steppe landscapes at both breeding 
and wintering locales. Breeding occurs in the Rocky Mountain States 
from Canada south to Mexico with most breeding birds occurring in 
Montana and Colorado. Most wintering birds occur on grasslands or 
similar landscapes in California; fewer wintering birds occur in 
Arizona, Texas, and Mexico. Breeding Bird Survey trends analyzed for 
the period 1966 through 1996 document a continuous decline of 2.7 
percent annually for this species, the highest of all endemic grassland 
species. Between 1966 and 1991, the continental population of the 
mountain plover declined an estimated 63 percent. The current total 
population is estimated to be between 8,000 and 10,000 individuals. 
Conversion of grassland habitat, agricultural practices, management of 
domestic livestock, and decline of native herbivores are factors that 
likely have contributed to the mountain plover's decline. Pesticides 
may be a factor contributing to the decline of mountain plovers, but 
their effects are not completely understood.

DATES: We must receive comments from all interested parties by April 
19, 1999. We must receive requests for public hearings by April 2, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and materials concerning this proposal to the 
Assistant Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 764 Horizon 
Drive, South Annex A, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506-3946. We will make 
comments and materials we receive available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Leachman at the above address, 
telephone 970/243-2778; facsimile 970/245-6933.