Department of the Interior November 7, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), revise our February 2, 2005 (70 FR 5404), proposed rule to remove the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) (Preble's) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. We now propose to amend the listing for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse to specify over what portion of its range the subspecies is threatened. The best scientific and commercial data available demonstrates that: The Preble's meadow jumping mouse is a valid subspecies and should not be delisted based upon taxonomic revision; the subspecies is not threatened throughout all of its range; and the portion of the current range of the subspecies located in Colorado represents a significant portion of the current range where the Preble's meadow jumping mouse is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future, and the subspecies in that portion of its range should retain its threatened status. We seek comments from the public regarding this revised proposal. 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 determination.