The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed a permanent extension of an amended special rule for the threatened Prebles meadow jumping mouse. This rule defines the conditions under which take of this species may occur without violating the Endangered Species Act.
This proposed action would make permanent an amended special rule that allows take to occur as the result of certain rodent control, agricultural operations, landscape maintenance, noxious weed control, ditch maintenance, and other specified activities.
The Endangered Species Act prohibits "take" defined as killing, harming, harassing, trapping, or wounding of a listed species or destruction of its habitat. However, section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act allows the Service to establish a special rule defining the conditions under which unintentional take of a threatened species is exempted.
Under the proposal, the amended special rule will be extended permanently. Without the extension, the amended special rule will expire on May 22, 2004. The Service will continue to work with State and local governments, landowners, and others to foster conservation of the Prebles, a species found only in Colorado and Wyoming.
The following activities are exempted from general take provisions provided that they are conducted in accordance with the requirements specified in the special rule:
Rodent control within 10 feet of or inside any structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.
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Ongoing agricultural activities, provided that impacts and encroachment upon Preble

