[Federal Register: November 10, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 216)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 57987-57988]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10no09-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[FWS-R9-IA-2009-12]
[96100-1671-000-B6]
[RIN 1018-AV75]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule To
List Five Foreign Bird Species in Colombia and Ecuador, South America,
Under the Endangered Species Act
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the public comment period.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
reopening of the public comment period on our July 7, 2009, proposal to
list four species of birds from Colombia -- the blue-billed curassow
(Crax alberti), the brown-banded antpitta (Grallaria milleri), the
Cauca guan (Penelope perspicax), and the gorgeted wood-quail
(Odontophorus strophium) -- and one bird species from Ecuador -- the
Esmeraldas woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi) -- as endangered under
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.). This proposal, if made final, would extend the Act's protection
to these species.
DATES: We are reopening the public comment period. To allow us adequate
time to consider and incorporate submitted information into our review,
we request that we receive information on or before December 10, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: FWS-R9-IA-2009-12; Division of Policy and Directives Management;
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222;
Arlington, VA 22203.
We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide
us (see the Public Comments section below for more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Krofta, Chief, Branch of
Listing, Endangered Species Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, VA 22203; telephone 703-
358-2171; facsimile 703-
[[Page 57988]]
358-1735. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD),
you may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Comments
We reopen the public comment period on our July 7, 2009, proposal
(74 FR 32308) to list four species of birds from Colombia -- the blue-
billed curassow (Crax alberti), the brown-banded antpitta (Grallaria
milleri), the Cauca guan (Penelope perspicax), and the gorgeted wood-
quail (Odontophorus strophium) -- and one bird species from Ecuador --
the Esmeraldas woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi) -- as endangered
under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Some peer review comments have
already been received during the initial comment period on the proposal
and may be found at http://www.regulations.gov. In order to allow for
additional peer review, we are reopening the comment period for an
additional 30 days. Comments previously received on this proposal need
not be resubmitted, as they are already incorporated in the public
record and will be fully considered in the final determination. We
request information from the public, other concerned governmental
agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested
parties concerning the status of these species. We are seeking
information regarding:
(1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning
any threats (or lack thereof) to these species and regulations that may
be addressing those threats.
(2) Additional information concerning the taxonomy, range,
distribution, and population size of these species, including the
locations of any additional populations of these species.
(3) Any information on the biological or ecological requirements of
these species.
(4) Current or planned activities in the areas occupied by these
species and possible impacts of these activities on these species.
(5) Any information concerning the effects of climate change on
these species or their habitats.
Please note that submissions merely stating support for or
opposition to the action under consideration without providing
supporting information, although noted, will not be considered in
making a determination, as section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that
determinations as to whether any species is a threatened or endangered
species must be made ``solely on the basis of the best scientific and
commercial data available.'' Information previously submitted need not
be resubmitted as it has already been incorporated into the public
record and will be fully considered.
You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods
listed in the ADDRESSES section.
If you submit information via http://www.regulations.gov, your
entire submission--including any personal identifying information--will
be posted on the website. If your submission is made via a hardcopy
that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the
top of your document that we withhold this information from public
review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We
will post all hardcopy submissions on http://www.regulations.gov.
Please include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to
verify any scientific or commercial information you include.
Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting
documentation we used in preparing our proposed rule, will be available
for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by appointment,
during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Endangered Species Program, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington,
VA 22203; telephone 703-358-2171 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Background
On July 7, 2009, we published a proposed rule to list five foreign
bird species in Colombia and Ecuador, South America as endangered
throughout their range under the Act: four species of birds from
Colombia -- the blue-billed curassow (Crax alberti), the brown-branded
antpitta (Grallaria milleri), the Cauca guan (Penelope perspicax), and
the gorgeted wood-quail (Odontophorus strophium) - and one bird species
from Ecuador - the Esmeraldas woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi) (74 FR
32308). This proposal, if made final, would extend the Act's protection
to these species. The Service seeks data and comments from the public
on our proposed rule. We received multiple peer review comments. In
order to allow for the public to review these comments and have an
opportunity to comment, we are reopening the public comment period for
30 days.
Authority
The authority for this action is section 4 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: November 3, 2009
Rowan W. Gould,
Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
[FR Doc. E9-27056 Filed 11-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-S