Endangered and threatened species: Rhadine exilis, etc. (nine invertebrate species from Bexar County, TX),

[Federal Register: April 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 66)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 16890-16891]

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

[DOCID:fr07ap99-24]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF33

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Public Hearing and Extension of Comment Period on the Proposed Rule for Listing Nine Bexar County, Texas Invertebrates as Endangered.

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of extension of comment period and announcement of public hearing.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice that the public comment period is extended and a public hearing will be held on the proposed determination of endangered status for nine Bexar County invertebrates. The species proposed for listing (63 FR 71855; December 30, 1998) are Rhadine exilis (no common name) and Rhadine infernalis (no common name), small, essentially eyeless ground beetles; Batrisodes venyivi (Helotes mold beetle), a small, eyeless mold beetle; Texella cokendolpheri (Robber Baron Cave harvestman), a small, eyeless harvestman (daddy-longlegs); Cicurina baronia (Robber Baron cave spider), Cicurina madla (Madla's cave spider), Cicurina venii (no common name), Cicurina vespera (vesper cave spider), and Neoleptoneta microps (Government Canyon cave spider), all small eyeless, or essentially eyeless, spiders. All interested parties are invited to submit comments on this proposal.

[[Page 16891]]

DATES: A public hearing will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on April 20, 1999 in San Antonio, Texas. Information displays and an opportunity to ask questions will be available from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on April 20, 1999. The extended comment period closes May 31, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The public hearing and information displays will be held at the Lee High School cafeteria located at 1400 Jackson Keller Road in San Antonio, Texas. Written comments and materials concerning the proposal should be sent to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758-4460. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alisa Shull, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 512-490-0057: facsimile 512- 490-0974).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

These nine invertebrates are obligate cave-dwelling species (troglobites) of local distribution in caves in northern Bexar County, Texas. The life habits of the species are not well known. They are probably predaceous on the eggs, larvae, or adults of other cave invertebrates.

Threats to these species and their habitats include destruction and/or deterioration of habitat by commercial, residential, and road construction; filling of caves, and loss of permeable cover; potential contamination from such things as septic effluent, sewer leaks, run- off, and pesticides; predation by and competition with non-native fire ants; and vandalism.

In 1994 we began discussions with a coalition of landowners, developers, and other interested parties about creating a conservation agreement that might preclude the need for listing these species. We have been working since then with interested parties to develop a conservation strategy and agreement. However, all the details necessary to accomplish this goal have not yet been agreed to. These issues relate primarily to determining what is needed for species conservation, responsibility and commitment for implementation and funding, and the amount of time required to implement the conservation measures. If these issues are resolved before a final listing decision is made, the final listing decision may differ from that proposed for some or all of these species.

Public hearings are designed to gather relevant information the public may have that we should consider in determining the status of and threats to these species. During the hearing the Service will present information about the proposed action of listing the nine Bexar County invertebrates as endangered. We invite the public to submit information and comments either at the hearing on April 20, 1999, or in writing. We request that comments be as specific as possible.

This hearing will be held from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. In the event there are a large number of people who wish to comment, the time allotted for oral statements may have to be limited. Persons wishing to comment at the hearing are encouraged to provide a written copy of their statement at the start of the hearing. There is no limit on the length of written comments. Written comments may also be submitted at any time during the open comment period and are given equal consideration to oral comments. Written comments should be sent to: Supervisor, USFWS, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758, and must be received by May 31, 1999.

From 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., prior to the public hearing, several information booths will be set up at the hearing site (see ADDRESSES) to allow the public to gather information and ask questions. The best time to ask questions or discuss issues will be from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the information displays. Although the Service will present information at the beginning of the hearing about the proposed action of listing the nine Bexar County invertebrates as endangered, the format of the hearing will not allow for questions and answers or two- way dialogue during the hearing.

Additional information that would be particularly useful to the Service in making a final listing determination includes any additional biological data; the location of any additional caves containing these species or caves where searches have been conducted and the species not found; areas planned for development or other activities that might affect any of the nine invertebrates; and existing local, state, or Federal regulations that provide protection for these species and their habitat.

Author: The primary author of this notice is Christina Longacre (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 512/490-0057: facsimile 512/490- 0974).

Authority

The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Dated: March 29, 1999. Nancy M. Kaufman, Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 99-8678Filed4-5-99; 11:55 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-P