Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Availability of Genetics Data and Extension of Comment Period for the Proposed Delisting of the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), 16090-16091 [E6-4572]
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16090
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 61 / Thursday, March 30, 2006 / Proposed Rules
Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
67249, November 6, 2000), requires EPA
to develop an accountable process to
ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input by
tribal officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal
implications.’’ This proposed rule does
not have tribal implications, as specified
in Executive Order 13175. Today’s rule
does not uniquely affect the
communities of American Indian tribal
governments since the motor vehicle
requirements for private businesses in
today’s rule would have national
applicability. Furthermore, today’s rule
does not impose any direct compliance
costs on these communities and no
circumstances specific to such
communities exist that would cause an
impact on these communities beyond
those discussed in the other sections of
today’s document. Thus, Executive
Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
Executive Order 13045, ‘‘Protection of
Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997) applies to any rule that:
(1) Is determined to be ‘‘economically
significant’’ as defined under Executive
Order 12866; and (2) concerns an
environmental health or safety risk that
we have reason to believe may have a
disproportionate effect on children. If
the regulatory action meets both criteria,
section 5–501 of the Executive Order
directs us to evaluate the environmental
health or safety effects of the planned
rule on children, and explain why the
planned regulation is preferable to other
potentially effective and reasonably
feasible alternatives considered by us.
This rule is not subject to the
Executive Order because it is not an
economically significant regulatory
action as defined by Executive Order
12866. Furthermore, this rule does not
concern an environmental health or
safety risk that we have reason to
believe may have a disproportionate
effect on children.
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSAL
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This rule is not subject to Executive
Order 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning
Regulations That Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66
FR 28355, May 22, 2001) because it is
not a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:49 Mar 29, 2006
Jkt 208001
Notice of availability; extension
of comment period.
I. National Technology Transfer
Advancement Act
ACTION:
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), section 12(d) of
Public Law 104–113, directs us to use
voluntary consensus standards in our
regulatory activities unless it would be
inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. Voluntary
consensus standards are technical
standards (e.g., materials specifications,
test methods, sampling procedures, and
business practices) developed or
adopted by voluntary consensus
standards bodies. The NTTAA directs
us to provide Congress, through OMB,
explanations when we decide not to use
available and applicable voluntary
consensus standards.
This rule references technical
standards adopted by us through
previous rulemakings. No new technical
standards are established in today’s
rule. The standards referenced in
today’s rule involve the measurement of
gasoline fuel parameters and motor
vehicle emissions.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of two recently published
reports and the underlying data which
present additional analysis data
regarding the Preble’s meadow jumping
mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). In
order to ensure the public has full
access to and an opportunity to
comment on all available information
on the proposed rule to delist the
Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, we
are extending the public comment
period until May 18, 2006. Comments
previously submitted need not be
resubmitted as they have already been
incorporated into the public record and
will be fully considered in the final
decision and rule.
DATES: The public comment period that
was reopened until April 18, 2006 (71
FR 8556) is extended until May 18,
2006. Any comments that are received
after the closing date may not be
considered in the final decision on the
proposal.
ADDRESSES: Documents and data
relative to this proposed rule are
available at https://mountainprairie.fws.gov/preble/ or https://
mountain-prairie.fws.gov/preble/PEER/
PEERindex.htm. If you wish to
comment, you may submit your
comments and materials concerning the
proposal by one of several methods:
1. You may submit written comments
to Field Supervisor, Colorado Field
Office, Ecological Services, P.O. Box
25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver,
Colorado 80225.
2. You may hand deliver comments to
our Colorado Field Office at 134 Union
Blvd., Suite 670, Lake Plaza North,
Lakewood, Colorado 80228, or send via
facsimile (fax 303–236–4005).
3. You may send comments via
electronic mail (e-mail) to
FW6_PMJM@fws.gov. See the Public
Comments Solicited section below for
file format and other information about
electronic filing.
The complete file for the finding and
proposed rule is available for
inspection, by appointment, during
normal business hours, at the above
address.
III. Statutory Provisions and Legal
Authority
Statutory authority for today’s
proposed rule is found in the Clean Air
Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., in particular,
section 202 of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 7521.
This rule is being promulgated under
the administrative and procedural
provisions of Clean Air Act section
307(d), 42 U.S.C. 7607(d).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 86
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Motor vehicle pollution.
Dated: March 21, 2006.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 06–2980 Filed 3–29–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; Notice of Availability of
Genetics Data and Extension of
Comment Period for the Proposed
Delisting of the Preble’s Meadow
Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius
preblei)
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Linner, Field Supervisor, at the
Colorado Field Office (see ADDRESSES
section) or telephone (303) 236–4774.
Persons who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339, 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week.
E:\FR\FM\30MRP1.SGM
30MRP1
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 61 / Thursday, March 30, 2006 / Proposed Rules
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSAL
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Comments Solicited
We intend that any final action
resulting from the proposed rule will be
as accurate and as effective as possible.
Therefore, we solicit comments or
suggestions from the public, concerned
governmental agencies, the scientific
community, industry, or any other
interested party concerning the
proposed rule in light of the additional
information. Generally, we seek
information, data, and comments
concerning:
(1) The taxonomic status of Z.h.
preblei, Z.h. campestris, Z.h.
intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius
subspecies with a particular focus on
Ramey et al. (2003, 2004a, 2004b, 2005),
King et al. (2006), and the recently
released genetics data;
(2) The taxonomy, biology, ecology,
distribution, status, and factors affecting
Z.h. preblei, Z.h. campestris, Z.h.
intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius
subspecies;
(3) Data from any systematic surveys
for Z.h. preblei, Z.h. campestris, Z.h.
intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius
subspecies, as well as any studies that
may show population size or trends;
(4) Quantitative information regarding
the life history, ecology, and habitat use
of Z.h. preblei, Z.h. campestris, Z.h.
intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius
subspecies, as well as information
regarding the applicability of
information relevant to other
subspecies;
(5) Information on the threats faced by
the Z.h. preblei, Z.h. campestris, Z.h.
intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius
subspecies in relation to the five listing
factors (as defined in section 4(a)(1) of
the Endangered Species Act, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.));
(6) Information regarding the effects of
current land management on population
distribution and abundance of Z.h.
preblei, Z.h. campestris, Z.h.
intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius
subspecies; and
(7) Information regarding the
possibility of contact and interaction
within or between Z.h. preblei, Z.h.
campestris, and adjacent subspecies of
meadow jumping mouse (i.e., Z.h.
intermedius and Z.h. pallidus) or other
information relevant to a determination
of the taxonomic classification of the
species.
You may submit comments as
indicated under ADDRESSES. If you wish
to submit comments by e-mail, please
avoid the use of special characters and
any form of encryption. Please also
include your name and return address
in your e-mail message.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:49 Mar 29, 2006
Jkt 208001
16091
Our practice is to make comments,
including names and home addresses of
respondents, available for public review
during regular business hours. Due to
the high level of interest in this
rulemaking process, we also may post
comments on our Web site. Individual
respondents may request that we
withhold their home address from the
rulemaking record, which we will honor
to the extent allowable by law. There
also may be circumstances in which we
would withhold from the rulemaking
record a respondent’s identity, as
allowable by law. If you wish us to
withhold your name or address, you
must state this prominently at the
beginning of your comment. However,
we will not consider anonymous
comments. We will make all
submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
Comments and other information
received, as well as supporting
information used to write the proposed
rule, will be available for public
inspection, by appointment, during
normal business hours at the Colorado
Field Office (see ADDRESSES section). In
making a final decision on the proposal,
we will take into consideration the
comments and any additional
information we receive. Such
communications may lead to a final
regulation that differs from the proposal.
hudsonius) reveals evolutionarily
distinct subspecies’’ (King et al. 2006)
and ‘‘Genetic relatedness of the Preble’s
meadow jumping mouse (Zapus
hudsonius preblei) to nearby subspecies
of Z. hudsonius as inferred from
variation in cranial morphology,
mitochondrial DNA, and microsatellite
DNA: Implications for taxonomy and
conservation’’ (Ramey et al. 2005). The
Service intends to fully consider all of
the available information in any
delisting decision based on taxonomy.
In order to ensure all relevant
information is considered, we have
recently made available on our Web site
(https://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/preble/
PEER/PEERindex.htm) all of the
morphological, mtDNA and
microsatellite nuclear DNA data from
Ramey et al. (2005) and King et al.
(2006). We are extending the public
comment period on the delisting
proposal to allow the public to consider
and comment on the above data.
Background
The Preble’s meadow jumping mouse
(Zapus hudsonius preblei) was listed as
a threatened species on May 13, 1998
(63 FR 26517). At the time of listing, we
recognized Krutzsch (1954) as the ‘‘most
recent revision of Z. hudsonius’’ and
‘‘the authority for (the ‘subspecies’)
taxonomy’’ (63 FR 26517, May 13,
1998). In our February 2, 2005, Federal
Register document (70 FR 5404), we
determined that Ramey et al. (2004a)
represented the best scientific and
commercial information available
regarding the taxonomy of Z.h. preblei
and Z.h. campestris. Based on the lack
of distinct genetic and morphologic
differences between the two subspecies
presented in Ramey et al. (2004a), we
concluded that Z.h. preblei was likely
not a valid subspecies and proposed
removing the subspecies from the list of
threatened and endangered species.
Since then, substantial additional
information has become available
including two recently available reports:
‘‘Comprehensive analysis of molecular
phylogeographic structure among
meadow jumping mice (Zapus
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Authority
The authority for this action is the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: March 20, 2006.
H. Dale Hall,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E6–4572 Filed 3–29–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No.060314069–6069–01; I.D.
030306B]
RIN 0648–AT25
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery;
Framework Adjustment 18
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations to
implement Framework Adjustment 18
(Framework 18) to the Atlantic Sea
Scallop Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) which was developed by the New
England Fishery Management Council
(Council). Framework 18 proposes the
following management measures:
Scallop fishery specifications for 2006
and 2007 (open area days-at-sea (DAS)
E:\FR\FM\30MRP1.SGM
30MRP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 61 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16090-16091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4572]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of
Availability of Genetics Data and Extension of Comment Period for the
Proposed Delisting of the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus
hudsonius preblei)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; extension of comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of two recently published reports and the underlying data
which present additional analysis data regarding the Preble's meadow
jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). In order to ensure the public
has full access to and an opportunity to comment on all available
information on the proposed rule to delist the Preble's meadow jumping
mouse, we are extending the public comment period until May 18, 2006.
Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they have
already been incorporated into the public record and will be fully
considered in the final decision and rule.
DATES: The public comment period that was reopened until April 18, 2006
(71 FR 8556) is extended until May 18, 2006. Any comments that are
received after the closing date may not be considered in the final
decision on the proposal.
ADDRESSES: Documents and data relative to this proposed rule are
available at https://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/preble/ or https://
mountain-prairie.fws.gov/preble/PEER/PEERindex.htm. If you wish to
comment, you may submit your comments and materials concerning the
proposal by one of several methods:
1. You may submit written comments to Field Supervisor, Colorado
Field Office, Ecological Services, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal
Center, Denver, Colorado 80225.
2. You may hand deliver comments to our Colorado Field Office at
134 Union Blvd., Suite 670, Lake Plaza North, Lakewood, Colorado 80228,
or send via facsimile (fax 303-236-4005).
3. You may send comments via electronic mail (e-mail) to FW6--
PMJM@fws.gov. See the Public Comments Solicited section below for file
format and other information about electronic filing.
The complete file for the finding and proposed rule is available
for inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours, at the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Linner, Field Supervisor, at the
Colorado Field Office (see ADDRESSES section) or telephone (303) 236-
4774. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
[[Page 16091]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Comments Solicited
We intend that any final action resulting from the proposed rule
will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we solicit
comments or suggestions from the public, concerned governmental
agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested
party concerning the proposed rule in light of the additional
information. Generally, we seek information, data, and comments
concerning:
(1) The taxonomic status of Z.h. preblei, Z.h. campestris, Z.h.
intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius subspecies with a particular focus
on Ramey et al. (2003, 2004a, 2004b, 2005), King et al. (2006), and the
recently released genetics data;
(2) The taxonomy, biology, ecology, distribution, status, and
factors affecting Z.h. preblei, Z.h. campestris, Z.h. intermedius, and
other Z. hudsonius subspecies;
(3) Data from any systematic surveys for Z.h. preblei, Z.h.
campestris, Z.h. intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius subspecies, as
well as any studies that may show population size or trends;
(4) Quantitative information regarding the life history, ecology,
and habitat use of Z.h. preblei, Z.h. campestris, Z.h. intermedius, and
other Z. hudsonius subspecies, as well as information regarding the
applicability of information relevant to other subspecies;
(5) Information on the threats faced by the Z.h. preblei, Z.h.
campestris, Z.h. intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius subspecies in
relation to the five listing factors (as defined in section 4(a)(1) of
the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.));
(6) Information regarding the effects of current land management on
population distribution and abundance of Z.h. preblei, Z.h. campestris,
Z.h. intermedius, and other Z. hudsonius subspecies; and
(7) Information regarding the possibility of contact and
interaction within or between Z.h. preblei, Z.h. campestris, and
adjacent subspecies of meadow jumping mouse (i.e., Z.h. intermedius and
Z.h. pallidus) or other information relevant to a determination of the
taxonomic classification of the species.
You may submit comments as indicated under ADDRESSES. If you wish
to submit comments by e-mail, please avoid the use of special
characters and any form of encryption. Please also include your name
and return address in your e-mail message.
Our practice is to make comments, including names and home
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular
business hours. Due to the high level of interest in this rulemaking
process, we also may post comments on our Web site. Individual
respondents may request that we withhold their home address from the
rulemaking record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law.
There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the
rulemaking record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you
wish us to withhold your name or address, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we will not
consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or
businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments
and other information received, as well as supporting information used
to write the proposed rule, will be available for public inspection, by
appointment, during normal business hours at the Colorado Field Office
(see ADDRESSES section). In making a final decision on the proposal, we
will take into consideration the comments and any additional
information we receive. Such communications may lead to a final
regulation that differs from the proposal.
Background
The Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) was
listed as a threatened species on May 13, 1998 (63 FR 26517). At the
time of listing, we recognized Krutzsch (1954) as the ``most recent
revision of Z. hudsonius'' and ``the authority for (the `subspecies')
taxonomy'' (63 FR 26517, May 13, 1998). In our February 2, 2005,
Federal Register document (70 FR 5404), we determined that Ramey et al.
(2004a) represented the best scientific and commercial information
available regarding the taxonomy of Z.h. preblei and Z.h. campestris.
Based on the lack of distinct genetic and morphologic differences
between the two subspecies presented in Ramey et al. (2004a), we
concluded that Z.h. preblei was likely not a valid subspecies and
proposed removing the subspecies from the list of threatened and
endangered species.
Since then, substantial additional information has become available
including two recently available reports: ``Comprehensive analysis of
molecular phylogeographic structure among meadow jumping mice (Zapus
hudsonius) reveals evolutionarily distinct subspecies'' (King et al.
2006) and ``Genetic relatedness of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse
(Zapus hudsonius preblei) to nearby subspecies of Z. hudsonius as
inferred from variation in cranial morphology, mitochondrial DNA, and
microsatellite DNA: Implications for taxonomy and conservation'' (Ramey
et al. 2005). The Service intends to fully consider all of the
available information in any delisting decision based on taxonomy.
In order to ensure all relevant information is considered, we have
recently made available on our Web site (https://mountain-
prairie.fws.gov/preble/PEER/PEERindex.htm) all of the morphological,
mtDNA and microsatellite nuclear DNA data from Ramey et al. (2005) and
King et al. (2006). We are extending the public comment period on the
delisting proposal to allow the public to consider and comment on the
above data.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: March 20, 2006.
H. Dale Hall,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4572 Filed 3-29-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
