Proposed Revision of Regulations Implementing the Endangered Species Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; CITES)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 23

Proposed Revision of Regulations Implementing the Endangered

Species Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; CITES)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to propose rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document requests suggestions and recommendations from

the public for revisions to certain Federal regulations which implement

the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild

Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the United States; 50 CFR part 23 subparts

A, B, C, and D. These regulations, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service (Service) plans to update and modify, include provisions

concerned with the import, export, re-export, and introduction from the

sea of CITES-listed wildlife and plants to and from the United States,

as well as those regulations which cover public participation in the

development of U.S. negotiating positions for meetings of the CITES

Conference of the Parties (COP).

DATES: Comments and other information received through September 30,

1997, will be considered by the Service in developing proposed

amendments to 50 CFR part 23.

ADDRESSES: Comments and other information should be sent to Kenneth

Stansell, Chief, Office of Management Authority, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive,

Room 430, Arlington, VA 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce J. Weissgold or Susan S.

Lieberman, Office of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service: telephone 703/358-2093; fax 703/358-2280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

Comments and other information can also be sent via electronic mail

(E-mail) to: [email protected].

Background

The Service is planning to revise regulations covering the

implementation of CITES in the United States (50 CFR part 23) in order

to provide the public with a more transparent and open explanation of

Service procedures with regard to the implementation of CITES wildlife

and plant international trade control provisions. The Service is

considering revising and reorganizing subparts A , B, C, and D of 50

CFR part 23. These regulations were last revised in 1977 and 1980

(depending on which subpart is considered); and since that time, the

Service has developed and modified procedures to adjust to the changing

circumstances and conditions necessary for effective CITES

implementation in the United States.

At each of the ten CITES COPs convened since the treaty went into

force in 1975, including COP10 which was held in Harare, Zimbabwe in

June 1997, interpretive resolutions to the Convention have been adopted

by the Parties. The Service has determined that some of these

interpretive CITES resolutions, as they relate directly to

implementation and enforcement of the Convention, need to be

implemented through the promulgation of regulations. In addition, the

Service has developed procedures through the statutory authority

granted by Congress in the Endangered Species Act but has not yet

updated Part 23 to incorporate those procedures. The proposed revision

of 50 CFR part 23 will address those procedures and interpretive

resolutions.

Furthermore, it is the intent of the Service to find ways to

improve and enhance the opportunities which the public has to

participate in the development of policy positions for meetings of the

CITES Conference of the Parties (COP). The Service intends to continue

to fully consider public input on the development of U.S. policy

positions, and invites comments as to how the Service can most

effectively receive information from the public on CITES COP policy

position formulation. The Service will consider all comments regarding

revisions to subparts A, B, C, and D of 50 CFR part 23, as well as

comments on specific procedures related to these regulations. The

Service is not requesting comments which are unrelated to 50 CFR part

23 revisions, such as CITES species listing positions, policy positions

related to the CITES Conference of the Parties (COP), or any other

wildlife trade issue which is not directly related to 50 CFR part 23

revisions.

Interested organizations and individuals are invited to comment on

the planned revision of 50 CFR part 23 and on public participation in

the development of Service policy positions for CITES COPs. The Service

will consider all comments received during the comment period in

drafting a proposed rule.

Author: This notice was prepared by Bruce J. Weissgold, Office

of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the

authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16

U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 23

Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Treaties.

Dated: July 23, 1997.

John G. Rogers,

Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 97-20594 Filed 8-4-97; 8:45 am]

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