Times Comment Period Extended Until February 4, 2010
Times
Times The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service will reopen on January 14, 2010, the public comment period for the proposal to treat the shovelnose sturgeon as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Act) due to its similarity of appearance to the endangered pallid sturgeon. The Service is also reopening the comment period regarding the proposed special rule that will prohibit the harvest of any shovelnose sturgeon or shovelnose–pallid sturgeon hybrids, and their roe associated with or related to a commercial fishing activity. A public hearing will be held in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposals.
Times
Times The public hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. on January 28, 2010 at Southeast Missouri State University (3rd floor of the University Center). The public hearing will be preceded by an informational meeting from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The University is located at One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Formal public testimonies will be taken at the hearing as well as written comments.
Times
Times Public comments will be accepted until February 4, 2010 and can be submitted electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov">, or can be mailed or hand delivered to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R6-ES-2009-0027; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203.
Times
Times The Service is proposing to treat the shovelnose sturgeon as a threatened species under the “Similarity of Appearances” (SOA) provisions of the Endangered Species Act. The shovelnose sturgeon and the endangered pallid sturgeon are difficult to differentiate and inhabit overlapping portions of the Missouri and Mississippi River basins. Protection of the shovelnose sturgeon will help conserve and protect the endangered pallid sturgeon.
Times
Times The proposed special rule would apply only to activities that relate to the harvest of shovelnose sturgeon and shovelnose-pallid sturgeon hybrids for commercial fishing purposes and is not expected to impact commercial fishing targeting non-sturgeon species, recreational or other non-commercial fishing activities. The special rule would not prohibit the legal commercial harvest of shovelnose sturgeon outside the range where the shovelnose and pallid sturgeons commonly overlap.
Times
Times For more information about the proposal and proposed rule, please visit the Service’s web site at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/fishes/shovelnose.html and
Times http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/missouririver/moriver_pallidsturgeon.htm
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