[Federal Register: August 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 159)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 44883] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr18au99-20] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AF03 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Reopening 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 reopening of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We are reopening the comment period on the proposal to list the contiguous United States distinct population segment of the Canada lynx to invite comment from all interested parties on new information contained within a U.S. Forest Service science report that we are accepting into the administrative report. This report contains new information pertinent to our findings and conclusions of the proposed rule of July 8, 1998. The information contained within available chapters of this report and all comments received in response to this information will be considered in our final decision on whether to list the Canada lynx under the Endangered Species Act. DATES: Comments must be postmarked or emailed by September 24, 1999. 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; or email <lynx@fws.gov>. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kemper McMaster, Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 406/449-5225, facsimile 406/449-5339). The Internet is the fastest method for obtaining a copy of the report. Finalized chapters from the report can be retrieved from the Internet at <http://www.fs.fed.us/rl>. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On July 8, 1998 (63 FR 36994), we 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. As described in the proposed rule, the range of the lynx included portions of States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Threats to this population segment of the Canada lynx were considered to be 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. The rule also proposed to list the captive population of Canada lynx within the coterminous United States (lower 48 States) as threatened due to similarity of appearance and permitted the continued export of captive-bred Canada lynx. We published notice of a 6-month extension on the proposed rule to list the lynx on July 8, 1999 (64 FR 36836). The final decision on the proposal is now due January 8, 2000. Public Comments Solicited We are reopening the comment period on our July 8, 1998, proposal to list the contiguous United States distinct population segment of the Canada lynx. We are seeking additional comment on our proposal based on new information contained within a report, ``The scientific basis for lynx conservation in the contiguous United States.'' This report is being completed by a team led by Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Forest Service. We are accepting finalized chapters of this report into the administrative record. The report contains new information pertinent to our findings and conclusions in the proposed rule. The information contained within available chapters of this report and all comments received in response to this information will be considered in our final decision on whether to list the Canadian lynx under the Endangered Species Act. At this time, three chapters of the report are final and available to the public. These three chapters represent substantive new information pertinent to the scientific basis for our findings and conclusion regarding our final decision on whether to list the Canadian lynx under the Endangered Species Act. Additional chapters of the report are expected to be finalized and released to the public throughout the comment period. This will be the only notice of the availability of chapters of this report. Finalized chapters from the report can be retrieved from the Internet at <http://www.fs.fed.us/rl>. The Internet is the best method for making the report rapidly available. If you cannot get the report through the Internet, please call the Montana Field Office (see ADDRESSES section). Please check this website regularly or call the Montana Field Office to obtain new chapters, which will be made available as soon as they are finalized. Your written comments on the proposal based on new information contained in this report must be postmarked or e-mailed by September 24, 1999, to the Montana Office (see ADDRESSES section above). Author The author of this notice is Lori Nordstrom (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 August 12, 1999. Mary L. Gessner, Regional Director. [FR Doc. 99-21391 Filed 8-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M