Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of Comment Period on Koala Review

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AB

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of

Comment Period on Koala Review

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Status review; notice of reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Service gives notice that the comment period on the status

review of the Australian koala, as initiated in response to a petition

to add the species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife,

will be reopened until April 1, 1995.

DATES: All comments and information received through April 1, 1995,

will be considered in making a final decision on whether the requested

action is warranted, and will be included in the administrative record.

ADDRESSES: Comments, information, and questions should be submitted to

the Chief, Office of Scientific Authority; Room 725, 4401 North Fairfax

Drive; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Arlington, Virginia 22203 (Fax

number 703-358-2276). Express and messenger-delivered mail should be

addressed to the Office of Scientific Authority; Room 750, 4401 North

Fairfax Drive; Arlington, Virginia 22203. The petition finding,

supporting data, and comments will be available for public inspection,

by appointment, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at

the Arlington, Virginia address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

above address (phone 703-358-1708).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of October 4, 1994

(59 FR 50557-50558), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)

announced the 90-day finding that a petition to add the Australian

koala (Phasocarctos cinereus) to the List of Endangered and Threatened

Wildlife had presented substantial information indicting that the

requested action may be warranted. A status review was initiated, with

the original comment period ending February 1, 1995. During that

period, requests to extend the comment period were received from the

Fund for Animals and Australians for Animals (the original

petitioners), the Zoological Society of San Diego, and the American Zoo

and Aquarium Association's Marsupial and Monotreme Advisory Group. All

indicated that more time was needed to collect pertinent information.

In response, the Service has decided to reopen the comment period until

April 1, 1995.

Authority: Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et

seq.).

Dated: February 7, 1995.

Mollie H. Beattie,

Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 95-3749 Filed 2-14-95; 8:45 am]

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