[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 122 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 39117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15772]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF98


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period on Draft Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat for the 
Alameda Whipsnake (Masticophis Lateralis Euryxanthus)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) gives notice of 
the availability of the draft Economic Analysis for the proposal to 
designate critical habitat for the Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis 
lateralis euryxanthus) and the reopening of the public comment period 
for the proposal. The new comment period will allow all interested 
parties to submit comments on the draft Economic Analysis and proposed 
designation.

DATES: The comment period for this proposal closes on July 24, 2000. 
Comments on the draft Economic Analysis and proposed designation must 
be received by the closing date.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Field Supervisor, 
Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2605, Sacramento, California 95825. Copies of 
the draft Economic Analysis are available from the aforementioned 
address. Comments and materials received will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above 
Service address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Davis or Heather Bell, at the 
above address, phone 916-414-6600, facsimile 916-414-6710.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 8, 2000, the Service published a proposed rule to 
designate critical habitat for the Alameda whipsnake in the Federal 
Register (65 FR 12155). The original comment period closed on May 8, 
2000. The comment period for the proposed designation was re-opened 
through June 12, 2000 (65 FR 30951, May 15, 2000). The comment period 
for the draft Economic Analysis is open until July 24, 2000. Written 
comments should be submitted to the Service (see ADDRESSES section).
    A total of approximately 164,663 hectares (406,708 acres) of land 
fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat 
designation. Proposed critical habitat is located in Contra Costa, 
Alameda, San Joaquin, and Santa Clara counties, California. If this 
proposal is made final, section 7 of the Act prohibits destruction or 
adverse modification of critical habitat by any activity funded, 
authorized, or carried out by any Federal agency. Section 4 of the Act 
requires us to consider economic and other impacts of specifying any 
particular area as critical habitat.
    The comment period on this proposal and the draft Economic Analysis 
closes on July 24, 2000. Written comments should be submitted to the 
Service office listed in the ADDRESSES section.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Stephanie Brady (see ADDRESSES 
section).

Authority

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

    Dated: June 15, 2000.
Don Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1.
[FR Doc. 00-15772 Filed 6-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P