Development of Permit Policy for Import of Giant Pandas; Suspension of Consideration of Giant Pandas Import Permit Applications, and a Review of Existence Policy on Giant Panda Import Permits

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Development of Permit Policy for Import of Giant Pandas;

Suspension of Consideration of Giant Pandas Import Permit Applications,

and a Review of Existence Policy on Giant Panda Import Permits

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) gives notice that

the comment period on the development of the policy for import of giant

panda will be reopened for 60 days to obtain further comments, and a

public working meeting or meetings will be used to assist the Service

in formulating the draft policy.

DATES: Public comments on this notice will be accepted until August 30,

1994. A public working meeting will be held August 23, 1994, at 8:30

a.m. in Room 200 at 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203

and at its conclusion, a second meeting may be scheduled prior to the

close of the comment period.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted to the Chief of the Office of

Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North

Fairfax Drive, Room 420(c), Arlington, Virginia 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Charles W. Dane, Chief, Office of Scientific Authority, at the

above address, or call (703) 358-2093.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of May 4, 1994 (59

FR 23077-23078), the Service announced the suspension of the review and

processing of all future import permit applications of giant pandas

(Ailuropoda melanoleuca) for temporary exhibition and/or captive-

breeding loans until it has completed an evaluation of available

information and existing policies and guidelines relating to the import

of giant pandas and has published a new policy. A public meeting was

held May 26, 1994, to assist the Service in formulation of the draft

policy. The original comment period ended on June 30, 1994. The Service

received a request from the World Wildlife Fund, Washington, D.C., to

extend the comment period to allow for broader input on multiple issues

related to giant panda conservation and trade. Interested organizations

and the public are invited to comment on concerns as outlined in the

May 4 Federal Register and any other issues related to panda

conservation.

As part of the extended review process, the Service will convene a

public working meeting on August 23, 1994 (see DATES section) and

perhaps another meeting to be announced at the end of the August 23,

1994, meeting and whose time, date, and location may also be learned by

contracting Dr. Charles Dane, Chief, Office of Scientific Authority at

703-358-1708 during the morning on August 24, 1994.

Authority: The authority for this action is the Convention on

International Trade in Endangered Species (TIAS 8249) and the

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)

Dated: August 9, 1994.

Robert P. Davison,

Deputy Assistant Secretary--Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

[FR Doc. 94-20051 Filed 8-15-94; 8:45 am]

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