[Federal Register: April 13, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 71)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 19619-19642]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13ap04-30]                         


[[Page 19619]]

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Part II





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 17



Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Designation of 
Critical Habitat for the California Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora 
draytonii); Proposed Rule


[[Page 19620]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN-1018-AJ16

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed 
Designation of Critical Habitat for the California Red-legged Frog 
(Rana aurora draytonii)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to 
designate critical habitat for the California red-legged frog (Rana 
aurora draytonii) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act). A total of approximately 1,674,582 hectares (4,138,064 
acres) in Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Los 
Angeles, Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Plumas, Riverside, 
San Benito, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa 
Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, 
Tuolumne, and Ventura Counties, California, is proposed for designation 
as critical habitat.
    This proposed designation of critical habitat for the California 
red-legged frog is being published in accordance with the November 6, 
2002, consent decree that ordered us to publish a proposal by March 
2004. In light of this deadline, we have based this proposal solely on 
the configuration of our previously published final designation of 
critical habitat for the California red-legged frog (66 FR 14626, March 
13, 2001). We hereby solicit data and comments from the public on all 
aspects of this proposal, incuding data on economic and other impacts 
of the designation.
    We may revise this proposal prior to final designation to 
incorporate or address new information received during public comment 
periods or otherwise available to us.

DATES: We will accept comments until June 14, 2004. Public hearing 
requests must be received by May 28, 2004.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and 
materials concerning this proposal by any one of several methods:
    1. You may submit written comments and information to the Field 
Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W. 2605, Sacramento, California 95825.
    2. You may hand-deliver written comments and information to our 
Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, at the above address, or fax your 
comments to 916/414-6712.
    3. You may send your comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to 
fw1crlf@r1.fws.gov. For directions on how to submit electronic filing 

of comments, see the ``Public Comments Solicited'' section below. In 
the event that our Internet connection is not functional, please submit 
comments by the alternate methods mentioned above.
    All comments and materials received, as well as supporting 
documentation used in 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: For general information, and for 
information about Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, 
Kern, Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Napa, Plumas, San Joaquin, San Mateo, 
Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, and Tuolumne Counties, 
contact Wayne White, Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife 
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W. 
2605, Sacramento, California 95825 (telephone 916/414-6600; facsimile 
916/414-6712).
    For information about Monterey, Los Angeles, San Benito, San Luis 
Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura Counties, contact Diane 
Noda, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 2394 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, California 93003 
(telephone 805/644-1766; facsimile 805/644-3958).
    For information about areas in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los 
Angeles County or Riverside and San Diego Counties, contact Jim Bartel, 
Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008 
(telephone 760/431-9440; facsimile 760/431-9624).