Endangered and threatened species: Canada lynx,
[Federal Register: October 2, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 191)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53010]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02oc98-40]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AF03
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Extension of Comment Period for Proposed Rule to List the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of extension of comment period.
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that the comment period on the proposal to list the contiguous United States distinct population segment of the Canada Lynx is being extended. All interested parties are invited to submit comments on this proposal.
DATES: Comments will be accepted until October 14, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal should be sent to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Field Office, 100 N. Park Avenue, Suite 320, Helena, Montana 59601.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kemper McMaster, Field Supervisor, Montana Field Office, (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 406/449-5225; facsimile 406/449-5339).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On July 8, 1998 (63 FR 36994), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) published a proposed rule to list the contiguous United States distinct population of the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This population segment includes the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. The contiguous United States population segment of the Canada lynx is threatened by human alteration of forests, low numbers as a result of past overexploitation, expansion of the range of competitors (bobcats (Felis rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans)), and elevated levels of human access into lynx habitat. This rule also lists the captive population of Canada lynx within the coterminous United States (lower 48 States) as threatened due to similarity of appearance and permits the continued export of captive-bred Canada lynx.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service intends that any final action resulting from this proposal will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, comments, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested party concerning this proposed rule are solicited.
The previous comment period on this proposal is scheduled to close on September 30, 1998. To accommodate the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission council meeting schedule, the Service extends the comment period. Written comments may now be submitted until October 14, 1998, to the Service's Montana Field Office (see ADDRESSES section above). All comments must be received before the close of the comment period to be considered.
Author
The author of this notice is Lori Nordstrom, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: September 25, 1998. Terry Terrell, Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 98-26397Filed9-29-98; 2:39 pm]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
