[Federal Register: January 22, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 14)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 3301] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr22ja98-20] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AE30 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Public Hearing and Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for Rough Popcornflower AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing and reopening and extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), provides notice of a public hearing on the proposed endangered status for Plagiobothrys hirtus (rough popcornflower). In addition, the Service has reopened and extended the comment period to accommodate a public hearing that was requested by Mr. Danny Lang of Roseburg, Oregon. All parties are invited to submit comments on this proposal. DATES: The comment period now closes on February 23, 1998. Any comments received by the closing date will be considered in the final decision on this proposal. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 1998, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the Holiday Inn Express, 375 West Harvard Boulevard, Roseburg, Oregon. Comments and materials concerning this proposal should be sent to the State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State Office, 2600 S.E. 98th Avenue, Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97266. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Andrew F. Robinson Jr. of the Oregon State Office (see ADDRESSES section) at (503) 231-6179. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Plagiobothrys hirtus is an annual herb on drier sites, or perennial herb on wetter sites, that is known from only the interior valley of the Umpqua River in Douglas County, Oregon. The plant is threatened by destruction and/or alteration of habitat by development and hydrological change (e.g., wetland fills, draining, construction); spring and summer grazing by domestic cattle, horses, and sheep; roadside maintenance; and competition from native and non-native species (i.e., succession and encroachment). Comments from the public regarding the accuracy of this proposed rule are sought, especially regarding: (1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning any threat (or lack thereof) to the species listed above; (2) The location of any additional populations of the species and the reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined to be critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act; (3) Additional information concerning the range, distribution, and population sizes of the species; and (4) Current or planned activities in the subject area and their possible impacts on the species. On November 20, 1997, the Service published a rule proposing endangered status for Plagiobothrys hirtus in the Federal Register (62 FR 61953). The original comment period was to close on January 20, 1998. Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that a public hearing be held if it is requested within 45 days of the publication of the proposed rule. A public hearing request from Mr. Danny Lang of Roseburg, Oregon was received within the allotted time period. The Service has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, February 10, 1998, at the Holiday Inn Express in Roseburg, Oregon. Parties wishing to make statements for the record should bring a copy of their statements to the hearing. Oral statements may be limited in length, if the number of parties present at the hearing necessitates such a limitation. There are no limits to the length of written comments or materials presented at the hearing or mailed to the Service. Written comments carry the same weight as oral comments. The comment period now closes on February 23, 1998. Written comments should be submitted to the Service Office listed in the ADDRESSES section. Author The primary author of this notice is Dr. Andrew F. Robinson Jr. (see ADDRESSES section). Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: January 7, 1998. Don Weathers, Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 98-857 Filed 1-21-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M