Fish and Wildlife Service February 17, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), extend for not more than six months, the time to make a decision on the proposal to delist the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) and announce the reopening of the comment period. Since the close of the public comment period, we have received additional information which may be influential in our final decision. The extension is sought pursuant to section 4(b)(6)(B)(i) of the ESA because a recently completed and unpublished study substantially disagrees with the determination contained in the proposed rule that Preble's is not a distinct subspecies. Some of this new information conflicts with information given significant weight in the proposed rule. In order to ensure the public has full access to and an opportunity to comment on all available information, we are reopening the public comment period for 60 days. The Service will make a final decision based on the best scientific and commercial information available. 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.