Department of the Interior January 11, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice informs the public that the comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado River Management Plan is extended.

The following applicants have applied for scientific research permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), propose to remove the plant Agave arizonica (Arizona agave) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. Agave arizonica was listed as endangered on June 18, 1984, due to threats of habitat modification and collection. Evidence collected subsequent to the listing indicates that plants attributed to Agave arizonica do not constitute a distinct species but rather are individuals that have resulted from recent and sporadic instances of hybridization between two species. Current taxonomic practice is not to recognize such groups of individuals as a species. The term ``species,'' as defined by the Act, only includes species, subspecies, and distinct population segments. Since Agave arizonica is not recognized as a species, it no longer qualifies for protection under the Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 1,432 hectares (ha) (3,538 acres (ac)) along approximately 82 kilometers (km) (51 stream miles (mi)) fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation located in Laramie and Platte Counties in Wyoming. The designation excludes 30% of private and municipality lands through Wildlife Extension Agreements. Military lands as well as other areas within its range in Nebraska and Colorado are not included.