6-Month Extension of Final Determination for the Proposed Listing and Designation of Critical Habitat for Four Subspecies of Mazama Pocket Gopher

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 6-month extension of the final determination of whether to list four subspecies of Mazama pocket gopher (Roy Prairie, Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm) as threatened and reopen the comment period on the proposed rule to list and designate critical habitat for the four subspecies. We are taking this action because there is substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to the proposed listing and critical habitat rule, making it necessary to solicit additional information by reopening the comment period for 45 days. In addition, we are considering broadening the scope of the special rule for the four subspecies proposed under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act, and specifically seek public comment on this issue.