[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 27 (Friday, February 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10285-10286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02865]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2015-0112; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-BB66


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species 
Status for Rusty Patched Bumble Bee

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective date.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with a January 20, 2017, memo from the White 
House, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are delaying the 
effective date of a rule we published on January 11, 2017.

DATES: The effective date of the rule that published on January 11, 
2017, at 82 FR 3186, is delayed from February 10, 2017, to March 21, 
2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Fasbender, Field Supervisor, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities Ecological Services Field 
Office, 4101 American Blvd. E., Bloomington, MN 55425; by telephone 
952-252-0092, extension 210. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-
877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 11, 2017, we published a rule to 
list the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), a species that 
occurs in the eastern and Midwestern United States and Ontario, Canada, 
as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The rule was to be effective on 
February 10, 2017.
    On January 20, 2017, the White House issued a memo instructing 
Federal

[[Page 10286]]

agencies to temporarily postpone the effective date for 60 days after 
January 20, 2017, of any regulations that have published in the Federal 
Register but not yet taken effect, for the purpose of ``reviewing 
questions of fact, law, and policy they raise.'' We are, therefore, 
delaying the effective date of our rule published on January 11, 2017, 
at 82 FR 3186 (see DATES, above).

Administrative Procedure Act

    To the extent that 5 U.S.C. 553 applies to this action, it is 
exempt from notice and comment because it constitutes a rule of 
procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). Alternatively, our implementation 
of this action without opportunity for public comment, effective 
immediately upon publication in the Federal Register, is based on the 
good cause exceptions in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 553(d)(3). Pursuant to 
5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), we have determined that good cause exists to forgo 
the requirement to provide prior notice and an opportunity for public 
comment thereon for this rule as such procedures would be 
impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest. We are 
temporarily postponing for 60 days after January 20, 2017, the 
effective date of this regulation pursuant to the previously noted 
memorandum from the White House. As a result, seeking public comment on 
this delay is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. For 
these same reasons, we find good cause to waive the 30-day delay in 
effective date provided for in 5 U.S.C. 553(d).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 1531-1544; and 4201-4245, unless 
otherwise noted.

    Dated: February 7, 2017.
James W. Kurth,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-02865 Filed 2-9-17; 8:45 am]
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