Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Petition To List the Polar Bear as Threatened; Status review; reopening of public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on the status review of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) to determine if listing this species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), is warranted. This action will provide all interested parties with an additional opportunity to submit written comments for our status review of this species. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they have already been incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in any final decision.