May 07, 2004

Subject: Proposed Rule to Designate Houston, Louisville, and Memphis

Background: On April 22, 2004, the Service published a rule in the Federal Register (Vol. 69, No. 78 21806-21810) that proposes to designate the ports of Houston, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; and Memphis, Tennessee. This action would allow the direct importation and exportation of wildlife and wildlife products through these growing international ports. The Service proposes to amend 50 CFR Part 14 to reflect this designation. The Service will hold public meetings in the three cities to collect comments on these proposed designations and will also seek written comments from the public at large.

Action:The import/export trade community should be aware of this proposal by the Service and the opportunities for public comment. The proposed rule may be found on-line at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html .

Written comments and materials may be submitted on or before May 24, 2004 to:
Special Agent in Charge, Branch of Investigation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, 4401 North Fairfax Drive MS-LE-3000, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

Comments and materials may be hand-delivered to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4501 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 3000, Arlington, Virginia between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

A public hearing on Houston will be held on June 10, 2004, at 6 p.m. The hearing will be held at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conference room located at 16639 W. Hardy, Houston, Texas. All persons wishing to present oral or written comments at this hearing should request approval in writing by May 24, 2004 to Resident Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 16639 W. Hardy, Houston, Texas 77060.

A public hearing on Louisville will be held on July 8, 2004, at 3 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Louisville Bar Center, Seminar Room, 600 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky. No media coverage is allowed in this facility. All persons wishing to present oral or written comments should request approval in writing by June 17, 2004 to Resident Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 220 Great Circle Road, Suite 150, Nashville, Tennessee, 37228.

A public hearing on Memphis will be held on July 1, 2004, at 6 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Memphis Regional Chamber, 22 North Front Street, Suite 200, Conference Room, Memphis, Tennessee. All persons wishing to present oral or written comments should request approval in writing by June 10, 2004 to Resident Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 220 Great Circle Road, Suite 150, Nashville, Tennessee, 37228.

Contact:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Office of Law Enforcement
703-358-1949 703-358-2271 (fax)