[Federal Register: October 27, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 207)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 61933-61934]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27oc05-16]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 16

RIN 1018-AG70


Injurious Wildlife Species; Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus);
Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, extend the comment
period on a proposed rule to add all forms of live black carp
(Mylopharyngodon piceus), including gametes and viable eggs, to the
list of injurious fish under the Lacey Act and on the draft
environmental assessment and draft economic analysis prepared in
association with the proposed rule.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 16, 2005.

ADDRESSES: The analyses are available from the Chief, Division of
Environmental Quality, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North
Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop 322, Arlington, Virginia 22203; FAX (703) 358-
1800. They also are available on our Web page

[[Page 61934]]

at http://contaminants.fws.gov/Issues/InvasiveSpecies.cfm. Comments may

be hand-delivered, mailed, or sent by fax to the address listed above.
Alternatively, you may send comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to: 
BlackCarp@fws.gov. See the Public Comments Solicited section below for

file format and other information about electronic filing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Williams, Division of
Environmental Quality, Branch of Invasive Species, at (703) 358-2034 or 
erin_williams@fws.gov.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In February 2000, we were petitioned to list black carp as an
injurious wildlife species under the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42). On July
30, 2002 (67 FR 49280), we published a proposed rule in the Federal
Register to add all forms (diploid and triploid) of live black carp to
the list of injurious fish, mollusks, and crustaceans under the Lacey
Act. The comment period on the proposed rule closed on September 30,
2002. On June 4, 2003 (68 FR 33431), we reopened the comment period
until August 4, 2003. We received 103 comments during the first two
comment periods.
    On August 30, 2005 (70 FR 51326), we announced the availability for
public comment of a draft environmental assessment and draft economic
analysis for the proposed rule and reopened the comment period on the
proposed rule. The purpose of the draft environmental assessment is to
evaluate three alternatives associated with the proposed rule; the
purpose of the draft economic analysis is to analyze the potential
economic impact if the proposed rule were adopted as published. The
comment period on the proposed rule, draft environmental assessment,
and draft economic analysis is set to close October 31, 2005.
    Because of requests received from the public, we are hereby
extending the comment period until December 16, 2005. As stated in the
August 30, 2005, Federal Register document, we are particularly
interested in data and comments on alternatively listing the diploid
(fertile) form only. Please refer to that document for further
information. Comments already submitted on the proposed rule need not
be resubmitted as they will be fully considered in our decisionmaking.

Public Comments Solicited

    Submit data and comments as identified in ADDRESSES. If you submit
documentation by e-mail, please submit it as an ASCII file format and
avoid the use of special characters and encryption. Please include
``Attn: [RIN 1018-AG70]'' in your e-mail subject line 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 office at telephone number 703-358-
2148 during normal business hours. Please note that this e-mail address
will be closed at the termination of the public comment period.

    Authority: 18 U.S.C. 42.

    Dated: October 19, 2005.
Paul Hoffman,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 05-21440 Filed 10-26-05; 8:45 am]

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