[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 78 (Monday, April 24, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 20072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10066]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AC63


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of 
Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for Five Freshwater 
Mussels and Proposed Threatened Status for Two Freshwater Mussels From 
Eastern Gulf Slope Drainages of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that 
the comment period is reopened on a proposal to list the fat three-
ridge, shiny-rayed pocketbook, Gulf moccasinshell, Ochlockonee 
moccasinshell, and oval pigtoe as endangered, and the Chipola slabshell 
and purple bankclimber as threatened, pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. The Service is reopening the 
comment period on this proposal to allow members of the public to 
submit comments.

DATES: The comment period on this proposal is reopened until May 5, 
1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning the proposal 
should be sent to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
6620 Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216. 
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 S. Butler at the above address (telephone: 904/232-2580, fax 
904/232-2404).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 3, 1994, the Service published a proposal (59 FR 39524) 
to add seven freshwater mussels (fat three-ridge, shiny-rayed 
pocketbook, Gulf moccasinshell, Ochlockonee moccasinshell, oval pigtoe, 
Chipola slabshell, and purple bankclimber) to the list of endangered 
and threatened animals. These seven species are endemic to the 
Apalachicolan Region of the eastern Gulf Slope, defined as the rivers 
from the Escambia River in the west to the Suwannee River in the east. 
These drainages comprise southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and 
north Florida.
    Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act requires that a public hearing be 
held if requested within 45 days of the publication of a proposed rule. 
By September 19, 1994, the Service had received 12 public hearing 
requests on the proposal to list these seven mussels. The Service 
conducted five public informational meetings and five public hearings 
in January 1995. A notice of the public informational meetings, public 
hearings, and reopening of the comment period until February 10, 1995, 
was published in the Federal Register on December 12, 1994 (59 FR 
63987).
    The Service hereby announces the reopening of the comment period 
until May 5, 1995. This extension will allow the Service to accept 
comments received after the close of the previous comment period and 
the interested public to further comment upon these proposals.

    Author: The primary author of this notice is Robert S. Butler, 
Jacksonville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 
Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216 (904/
232-2580 or fax 904/232-2404).

Authority

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

    Dated: April 17, 1995.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-10066 Filed 4-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M