[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 207 (Monday, October 27, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55563-55564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28346]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AB73


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 
Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the 
Peninsular Ranges Population of Desert Bighorn Sheep

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule, notice of reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), provides notice of 
reopening of the comment period for the proposed endangered status for 
the Peninsular Ranges population of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis 
canadensis). The comment period has been reopened to acquire additional 
information on the status, distribution, and management of bighorn 
sheep in the Peninsular Ranges of Baja California, Mexico.

DATES: The comment period closes November 12, 1997. Any comments 
received by the closing date will be considered by the Service.


[[Page 55564]]


ADDRESSES: Written comments, materials and data, and available reports 
and articles concerning this proposal should be sent directly to the 
Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008. Comments 
and materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pete Sorensen, at the address listed 
above (telephone 760/431-9440, facsimile 760/431/9618).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Peninsular Ranges population of the desert bighorn sheep occurs 
along the desert slopes of the Peninsular Ranges from the vicinity of 
Palm Springs, California, into northern Baja California, Mexico. 
Depressed recruitment, habitat loss and degradation, disease, loss of 
dispersal corridors, and random events (e.g., drought) affecting small 
populations threaten the desert bighorn sheep in the Peninsular Ranges.
    On May 8 ,1992, the Service published a rule proposing endangered 
status for the Peninsular Ranges population of the desert bighorn sheep 
(57 FR 19837). The original comment period closed on November 4, 1992. 
The Service was unable to make a final listing determination regarding 
the bighorn sheep because of limited budget, other endangered species 
assignments driven by court orders, and higher listing priorities. In 
addition, a moratorium on listing actions (Pub. L. 104-6), which took 
effect on April 10, 1995, stipulated that no funds could be used to 
make final listing or critical habitat determinations. Now that funding 
has been restored, the Service is proceeding with a final determination 
for the Peninsular Ranges population of desert bighorn sheep.
    Due to government reorganization in Mexico, appropriate officials 
were apparently not made aware of the Service's proposed listing of the 
Peninsular bighorn sheep. As a result, no comments were received from 
the Mexican government during the initial comment period on the period 
rule nor during the subsequent two extended comment periods (62 FR 
16518, April 7, 1997, and 62 FR 32733, June 17, 1997). Recently the 
Service became award of apparent Mexican interest in providing comment 
on the proposed rule. Therefore, to ensure that the final listing 
decision is based on the best available information, and abide by the 
requirement that foreign countries be involved regarding listing 
decisions that may affect conservation of species in their area, the 
comment period is being reopened.
    Written comments may now be submitted until November 12, 1997, to 
the Service office in the ADDRESSES section.

Authority

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

    Dated: October 14, 1997.
Michael J. Spear,
Regional Director, Region 1.
[FR Doc. 97-28346 Filed 10-24-97; 8:45 am]
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