June 30, 2004

Subject: Proposed Special Rule on Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso)

Background: On June 29, 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a proposed special rule under the Federal Endangered Species Act to describe specific conditions under which U.S. trade in beluga sturgeon products would be allowed. All populations of beluga sturgeon were listed as threatened under the Act on April 24, 2004. Implementation of the threatened listing was delayed until October 21, 2004, to allow the Service time to propose this special rule, gather public comments, and issue a final rule.

Action: The wildlife trade community may find the proposed rule on the Service webpage at: http://policy.fws.gov/library/04-14795.pdf . Public comments may be submitted to:

Chief, Division of Scientific Authority
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 750
Arlington, VA 22203

Public comments may also be submitted by fax to: 703-358-2276; or by e-mail to: ScientificAuthority@fws.gov . All public comments must be received by July 29, 2004. Public hearing requests must be received by July 14, 2004. For further information on the Service’s final decision to list the beluga sturgeon as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, please visit http://international.fws.gov .