Proposed Rules. Proposed rule; reopening of comment period

Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior
Action: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 2014-07986 · RIN 1018-AY53 · Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2013-0104; 4500030113 · 50 CFR 17

Summary

On October 3, 2013, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announced a proposal to list the yellow-billed cuckoo in the western portion of the United States, Canada, and Mexico (western yellow-billed cuckoo) as a threatened distinct population segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). On December 26, 2013, we reopened the comment period for an additional 60 days to ensure the public had sufficient time to comment on the proposal for this species. We now announce another reopening of the comment period for our October 3, 2013, proposed rule to allow for us to accept and consider additional public comments on the proposed rule.

Dates

We request that comments on this proposal be submitted by the close of business on April 25, 2014.

Supplementary Information

Background On October 3, 2013, we published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to list the western yellow-billed cuckoo as a threatened species under the Act (78 FR 61621). During the public comment period, we received numerous requests from Federal and State agencies and the public to extend or reopen the public comment period on the proposed rule beyond the December 2, 2013, due date. On December 26, 2013, we reopened the comment period for an additional 60 days (78 FR 78321). In order to ensure that the public has ample opportunity to review and comment on our proposed rule, we are reopening the comment period for an additional 15 days. Information Requested We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we request comments or information from other concerned Federal and State agencies, the scientific community, or any other interested party concerning the proposed listing rule. Please see the Information Requested section of the October 3, 2013, proposed listing for a list of the comments that we particularly seek (78 FR 61621). For more background on our proposed listing, see the October 3, 2013, Federal Register (78 FR 61621). The proposed rule is available at the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov (see ADDRESSES section above). If you previously submitted comments or information on the proposed rule, please do not resubmit them. We have incorporated them into the public record, and we will fully consider them in our final rulemaking. Our final determination concerning this proposed rulemaking will take into consideration all written comments and any additional information we receive. Please note that submissions merely stating support for or opposition to the action under consideration without providing supporting information, although noted, will not be considered in making a determination, as section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that determinations as to whether any species is an endangered or threatened species must be made “solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available.” You may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed rule by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES . We request that you send comments only by the methods described in ADDRESSES . If you submit information via http://www.regulations.gov, your entire submission—including any personal identifying information—will be posted on the Web site. If your submission is made via a hardcopy that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post all hardcopy submissions on http://www.regulations.gov . Please include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to verify any scientific or commercial information you include. Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing the proposed listing, will be available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ). You may obtain copies of the proposed rule on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2013-0104, or contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ). Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ). Dated: March 31, 2014. Stephen Guertin, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2014-07986 Filed 4-9-14; 8:45 am]