[Federal Register: June 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 107)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 29983]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04jn99-24]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Reopening of 
Comment Period on 90-day Finding and Commencement of Status Review for 
a Petition To List the Black-tailed Prairie Dog as Threatened

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of reopening comment period on 90-day petition finding.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service provides notice of the reopening 
of the comment period on the 90-day finding for a petition to list the 
black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) as a threatened species 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. As amended. The initial 
comment period opened on March 15, 1999 (64 FR 14424), and closed on 
May 24, 1999. To accommodate several requests for extensions, we are 
reopening the comment period for an additional 45 days.

DATES: To be considered in the 12-month finding for this petition, 
written comments and materials should be received on or before July 19, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Information, data, or comments concerning this petition 
should be submitted to the Field Supervisor., South Dakota Ecological 
Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 420 South 
Garfield Avenue, Pierre, South Dakota 57501. The petition, finding, 
support data, and comments are available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pete Gober, at the above address, or 
telephone (605) 224-8693.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The black-tailed prairie dog is a colonial ground squirrel and one 
of five species in the genus Cynomys, all of which occur in western 
North America. the black-tailed prairie dog (C. ludovicianus), is found 
in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, 
Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, northern Texas, and Canada.
    On July 31, 1998, we received a petition to list the black-tailed 
prairie dog as a threatened species throughout its range pursuant to 
the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.). On March 25, 1999 (64 FR 14424), we published a 90-day notice on 
this petition, finding that it presented substantial information 
indicating that listing this species may be warranted, and initiating a 
status review of the species.

Public Comments Solicited

    We are soliciting information primarily on (1) population status 
and trends, (2) management policies and conservation plans affecting 
black-tailed prairie dogs, and (3) threats to the species, including 
those identified in the petition. The original comment period for this 
action expired May 24, 1999. With this notice, we reopen the comment 
period for an additional 45 days.
    Author: The author of this notice is Pete Gober (see ADDRESSES 
section).

    Authority: Authority for this action is the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: May 27, 1999.
Terry Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 99-14163 Filed 6-3-99; 8:45 am]
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