[Federal Register: February 28, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 40)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12754-12755]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28fe01-29]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AG34
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of
Comment Period and Notice of Availability of Draft Economic Analysis
for Proposed Critical Habitat Determination for the Riverside Fairy
Shrimp
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period and notice of
availability of draft economic analysis.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the
availability of the draft economic analysis for the proposed
designation of critical habitat for the Riverside fairy shrimp
(Streptocephalus woottoni). We also provide notice of the reopening of
the comment period for the proposal to designate critical habitat for
the Riverside fairy shrimp to allow all interested parties to submit
written comments on the proposal and on the draft economic analysis.
Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they will be
incorporated into the public record as a part of this reopened comment
period and will be fully considered in the final rule.
DATES: The original comment period on the critical habitat proposal
closed on November 6, 2000. The comment period is reopened and we will
accept comments until March 30, 2001. Comments must be received by the
closing date. Any comments that are received after the closing date may
not be considered in the final decision on this proposal.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft economic analysis are available on the
Internet at http://carlsbad.fws.gov or by writing to the Field
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife
Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008. Written
comments should be sent to the Field Supervisor. You may also send
comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to fws1rvfs@fws.gov. Please submit
comments in ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters
and encryption. Please include ``Attn: Riverside fairy shrimp'' and
your name and return address in your e-mail message. If you do not
receive a confirmation from the system that we have received your e-
mail message, contact us directly by calling our Carlsbad Fish and
Wildlife Office at phone number 760-431-9440. 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: Douglas Krofta, Fish and Wildlife
Biologist, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, at the above address
(telephone 760-431-9440; facsimile 760-431-9624).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Riverside fairy shrimp is a small aquatic crustacean that
occurs in vernal pools, ephemeral ponds, and human-modified
depressions. Basins, ponds, and depressions that support Riverside
fairy shrimp are located on coastal terraces and plateaus ranging from
coastal southern California to northwestern Baja California, Mexico.
Typically, this species is found in vernal pools that are deeper and
cooler than those basins which support the related species, the
endangered San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis).
Basins that support Riverside fairy shrimp are typically dry a
portion of the year, but usually are filled by late fall, winter, or
spring rains, and may persist into April or May. Critical to the
formation of vernal pool basins is the presence of nearly impermeable
surface or subsurface soil layers and flat or gently sloping
topography. Historically, vernal pool soils and habitats covered
extensive areas on the coastal plains and mesas of Los Angeles, Orange,
Riverside, San Diego, and Ventura Counties. Significant losses of
vernal
[[Page 12755]]
pools supporting the Riverside fairy shrimp have occurred throughout
these areas due to urban and water development, flood control, highway
and utility projects, as well as the conversion of wildlands to
agricultural and other human uses.
The species was Federally listed as endangered throughout its range
on August 3, 1993 (58 FR 41384), and its continued survival is reduced
by habitat loss and degradation. On September 21, 2000, the Fish and
Wildlife Service published a rule proposing critical habitat for the
Riverside fairy shrimp in the Federal Register (65 FR 57136). We
proposed designation of approximately 4,880 hectares (12,060 acres) as
critical habitat for the Riverside fairy shrimp pursuant to the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Proposed critical
habitat is in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and Ventura
Counties, California, as described in the proposed rule.
Section 4(b)(2) of the Act requires that the Secretary shall
designate or revise critical habitat based upon the best scientific and
commercial data available and after taking into consideration the
economic impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat.
Based upon the previously published proposal to designate critical
habitat for the Riverside fairy shrimp and comments received during
previous comment period, we have prepared a draft economic analysis of
the proposed critical habitat designation, which is available at the
above Internet and mailing address.
Public Comment Solicited
We have reopened the comment period at this time in order to accept
the best and most current scientific and commercial data available
regarding the proposed critical habitat and the draft economic
analysis. Previously submitted written comments on this critical
habitat proposal need not be resubmitted. The current comment period on
this proposal closes on March 30, 2001. Written comments may be
submitted to the Service office in the ADDRESSES section.
Author
The primary author of this notice is Douglas Krofta (see ADDRESSES
section).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: February 20, 2001.
David Patte,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations.
[FR Doc. 01-4844 Filed 2-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P