Endangered and threatened species: Cook Inlet beluga whales; depleted designation,

[Federal Register: December 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 242)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 70678]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr17de99-45]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 216

[Docket No. 990922260-9260-01; I.D. 083199E]

RIN 0648-AM84

Designation of the Cook Inlet, Alaska, Stock of Beluga Whale as Depleted Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Response to Petitions

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: On October 19, 1999, NMFS proposed to designate the Cook Inlet beluga whales as depleted under the MMPA. In response to requests from the public, NMFS is extending the comment period for 30 days.

DATES: Comments and information must be received by January 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to the Chief, Marine Mammal Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Payne, NOAA/NMFS, Alaska Region, (907) 586-7235, or Brad Smith, NOAA/NMFS, Alaska Region, Anchorage Field Office, (907) 271-5006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 19, 1999, NMFS proposed to designate the Cook Inlet, Alaska, stock of beluga whales as depleted under the MMPA (64 FR 56298). Subsequently, NMFS received several requests from the public to extend the comment period for an additional 30 days to allow the public more time to review and comment on the proposed designation. NMFS agrees that an additional 30 days for public comments is warranted and extends the comment period through January 19, 2000.

Dated: December 13, 1999. Andrew A. Rosenberg, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 99-32777Filed12-16-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F