Wild Bird Conservation Act (Act) of 1992; Possible Moratorium on Imports of Wild Birds From Indonesia and Senegal Into the United States

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Wild Bird Conservation Act (Act) of 1992; Possible Moratorium on

Imports of Wild Birds From Indonesia and Senegal Into the United States

agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

action: Extension of Comment Period.

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summary: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) published two

notices in the Federal Register of November 5, 1993, announcing the

receipt of petitions to impose a moratorium on the imports of wild

birds from Indonesia and Senegal into the United States, pursuant to

the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (58 FR 59061 and 58 FR 59063).

Through the issuance of this notice, the Service now extends the

comment period on both of these petitions an additional 90 days, in

order to receive as complete information as is possible concerning the

status of wild bird species in Indonesia and Senegal.

dates: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will consider comments

and information received by April 11, 1994 in making a decision on this

proposed action.

addresses: Comments and information should be sent to: Director, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, c/o Mr. Marshall P. Jones, Chief, Office of

Management Authority, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., room 420 C, Arlington, VA

22203.

for further information contact: Dr. Susan S. Lieberman, Office of

Management Authority, at the above address, telephone (703) 358-2093.

supplementary information: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)

published two notices in the Federal Register of November 5, 1993,

announcing the receipt of petitions to impose a moratorium on the

imports of wild birds from Indonesia and Senegal into the United

States, pursuant to the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (58 FR 59061

and 58 FR 59063). The petitions were found to present sufficient

information indicating that imposing a moratorium on the imports of

wild birds from Indonesia and Senegal may be warranted under the Act.

The Service received requests in writing from the following to extend

the comment period: Government of Indonesia, Government of Senegal, Pet

Industry Joint Advisory Council, and American Federation of Aviculture.

In particular, the Governments of Indonesia and Senegal requested

additional time to fully review the petitions and prepare a response.

Those written requests were received by the Service during the period

of December 23-27, 1993. The Service considers these requests

warranted, and through the issuance of this notice, extends the comment

period on both of these petitions an additional 90 days, in order to

receive as complete information as is possible concerning the status of

wild bird species in both Indonesia and Senegal.

Public Comments Solicited

The Service intends that any final decision resulting from these

petitions will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore,

any comments or data from the public, other concerned governmental

agencies, the scientific or conservation communities, trade

organizations, or any other interested party concerning any aspect of

the wild bird trade in Indonesia and Senegal are hereby solicited.

Author: The author of this notice is Dr. Susan S. Lieberman, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Management Authority.

(Notice: Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA) of 1992; Extension of

comment period on petitions requesting moratorium on imports of Wild

Birds from Indonesia and Senegal into the United States.)

Dated: January 4, 1994.

Richard N. Smith,

Acting Director.

[FR Doc. 94-554 Filed 1-10-94; 8:45 am]

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