[Federal Register: April 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 75)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 19300-19309]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20ap99-28]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF59

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Emergency Rule To 
List the Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment of California 
Bighorn Sheep as Endangered

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Emergency rule.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), exercise our 
authority to emergency list the Sierra Nevada distinct population 
segment of California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana), 
occupying the Sierra Nevada of California, as endangered under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Sierra Nevada 
bighorn sheep is known from five disjunct subpopulations along the 
eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada totaling about 100 animals.

    All five subpopulations are very small and are imminently 
threatened by mountain lion (Puma concolor) predation and disease. 
Because these threats constitute an emergency posing a significant risk 
to the well-being of the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, we find that 
emergency listing is necessary. This emergency rule provides Federal 
protection pursuant to the Act for this species for a period of 240 
days. A proposed rule to list the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep as 
endangered is published concurrently with this emergency rule in this 
same issue of the Federal Register in the proposed rule section.

DATES: This emergency rule becomes effective immediately upon 
publication and expires December 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The complete file for this rule is available for inspection, 
by appointment, during normal business hours at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 Portola Rd. 
Suite B, Ventura, California 93003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Benz, at the address listed above 
(telephone 805/644-1766; facsimile 805/644-3958).