Endangered and threatened species: Northern Idaho ground squirrel,

[Federal Register: October 21, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 203)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 56134-56135]

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

[DOCID:fr21oc98-21]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AE84

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of Public Comment Period on the Proposed Rule To List the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel as Threatened

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule, reopening of comment period.

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that the public comment period on the proposed rule to list the northern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus) as a threatened species is being reopened to consider new scientific information received after the initial comment period. The initial comment period closed on May 22, 1998. All interested parties are invited to submit comments on this proposal.

DATES: The comment period for this proposal will be extended to November 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal should be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Snake River Basin Office, 1387 South Vinnell way, Room 368, Boise, Idaho 83709. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Ruesink, Supervisor, at the above address or at telephone (208) 378-5243.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On March 23, 1998 (63 FR 13825), the Service published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to list the northern Idaho ground squirrel as threatened throughout its range in western Idaho pursuant to the

[[Page 56135]]

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. After the close of the comment period on May 22, 1998, the Service received a report titled ``Translocation and inventory of northern Idaho ground squirrels in 1998,'' a video seminar on the genetics and population structure of the northern Idaho ground squirrel presented by Drs. Tom Gavin and Paul Sherman, an ``Amended Environmental Assessment of the Council-Cuprum Road,'' a draft plan titled ``Habitat restoration plan for the northern Idaho ground squirrel,'' and meeting notes from two northern Idaho ground squirrel working group meetings.

The Service reviewed the status of the species under the five factors described in section 4(a)(1) and concluded that little is known about the historic range of the northern Idaho ground squirrel, but the population of this subspecies has declined significantly since 1985. The estimated total population in 1985 was about 5,000 animals but by 1998, the total population of this subspecies had declined to about 700 individuals. This subspecies is known from 21 sites in Adams and Valley Counties, Idaho. It is primarily threatened by habitat loss due to seral forest encroachment into former suitable meadow habitats. Seral forest encroachment results in habitat fragmentation, isolating northern Idaho ground squirrel sites from each other. This eliminates any genetic exchange or replenishment of sites should one population site decline and another one has a surplus of individuals. The northern Idaho ground squirrel is also threatened by competition from the larger Columbian ground squirrel (Spermophilus columbianus), land use changes, recreational shooting and naturally occurring events. A conservation agreement (Agreement) was finalized in July of 1996 between the Service and the Payette National Forest. Duration of the Agreement is 5 years. The Agreement identifies conservation and land management actions that will provide habitat favorable to the northern Idaho ground squirrel. A relocation plan developed by scientists from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York and Albertson College, Caldwell, Idaho was initiated in the spring of 1997. These ongoing conservation efforts for the northern Idaho ground squirrel address threats that have likely contributed to the species decline.

Public Comments Solicited

The previous comment period on this proposed rule closed on May 22, 1998. Written comments must be submitted to the Service office identified in the 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 Rich Howard, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Snake River Basin 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: October 6, 1998. Bill Shake, Acting Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 98-27324Filed10-20-98; 8:45 am]

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