[Federal Register: March 27, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 59)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 14892-14893] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr27mr98-38] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AE56 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Extension of Public Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the Pecos Pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis) and Notice of Public Hearing AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule, extension of public comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) gives notice that the comment period is extended on the proposed rule to list the Pecos pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis) as an endangered species. The Service is working with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the New Mexico State Parks Department, the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, and the Bureau of Land Management to assess potential conservation actions for the species. The extension of the comment period will allow these entities and all other interested parties to continue to work with the Service and to submit comments on the proposal. The Eddy County Board of Commissioners, Eddy County, New Mexico, has requested that a public hearing be held on this proposal. The Service gives notice that a public hearing will be held on the proposed rule. DATES: The comment period for this proposal, originally opened from January 30 through March 31, 1998, will be extended to November 20, 1998. Comments must be received by the closing date. The public hearing will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 9, 1998, in Carlsbad, New Mexico (see ADDRESSES section). ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the Pecos River Village Conference Center, 711 Muscatel, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Written comments and materials should be sent to the Field Supervisor, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2105 Osuna NE., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Fowler-Propst, Field [[Page 14893]] Supervisor, at the above address or at telephone 505/761-4525, ext. 106. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The historical range of the Pecos pupfish included the mainstream Pecos River and various lakes, gypsum sinkholes, saline springs, and tributaries associated with the river from the vicinity of Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico, downstream to the vicinity of Sheffield, Pecos County, Texas. The Pecos pupfish has been replaced by sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) x Pecos pupfish hybrids throughout more than two-thirds of its historical range. Pure populations of the Pecos pupfish are now thought to occur only in a reduced reach of the Pecos River and small and isolated off-channel habitats within the Pecos River Basin in New Mexico; in the upper reaches of Salt Creek, Culberson and Reeves counties, Texas; and in two water-filled gravel pits in Pecos County, Texas. On January 30, 1998, the Service published a proposed rule to list the Pecos pupfish as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended (Act). Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act requires that a public hearing be held if it is requested within 45 days of the publication of a proposed rule. A public hearing request was received within the allotted time period from Laurie Kincaid, Chairman of the Eddy County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico. The Service has scheduled this hearing in Carlsbad, New Mexico, on April 9, 1998, at the Pecos River Village Conference Center, 711 Muscatel, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Anyone wishing to make an oral statement for the record is encouraged to provide a written copy of the statement to be presented to the Service at the start of the hearing. Oral statements may be limited to several minutes if there are many requests to speak. Oral comments presented at the public hearing are given the same weight and consideration as written comments. If the public hearing is of insufficient time to provide for all who wish to speak, all who are not accommodated will be asked to submit their comments in writing. There are, however, no limits to the length of written comments or materials presented at the hearing or mailed to the Service. The Service must receive all comments by November 20, 1998. Comments should be submitted to the Service at the office listed in the ADDRESSES section above. Legal notices announcing the date, time, and location of the hearing are being published in newspapers concurrently with this Federal Register notice. Author The primary author of this notice is Jennifer Fowler-Propst, at the above address. Authority The authority citation for this action is 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. Dated: March 20, 1998. Jamie Rappaport Clark, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 98-8018 Filed 3-26-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P