# Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the Peninsular Ranges Population of Desert Bighorn Sheep > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-28346 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Proposed Rule - **Published:** October 27, 1997 - **Citation:** 62 FR 55563 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AB73 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the Peninsular Ranges Population of Desert Bighorn Sheep AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule, notice of reopening of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), provides notice of reopening of the comment period for the proposed endangered status for the Peninsular Ranges population of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). The comment period has been reopened to acquire additional information on the status, distribution, and management of bighorn sheep in the Peninsular Ranges of Baja California, Mexico. DATES: The comment period closes November 12, 1997. Any comments received by the closing date will be considered by the Service. [[Page 55564]] ADDRESSES: Written comments, materials and data, and available reports and articles concerning this proposal should be sent directly to the Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pete Sorensen, at the address listed above (telephone 760/431-9440, facsimile 760/431/9618). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Peninsular Ranges population of the desert bighorn sheep occurs along the desert slopes of the Peninsular Ranges from the vicinity of Palm Springs, California, into northern Baja California, Mexico. Depressed recruitment, habitat loss and degradation, disease, loss of dispersal corridors, and random events (e.g., drought) affecting small populations threaten the desert bighorn sheep in the Peninsular Ranges. On May 8 ,1992, the Service published a rule proposing endangered status for the Peninsular Ranges population of the desert bighorn sheep (57 FR 19837). The original comment period closed on November 4, 1992. The Service was unable to make a final listing determination regarding the bighorn sheep because of limited budget, other endangered species assignments driven by court orders, and higher listing priorities. In addition, a moratorium on listing actions (Pub. L. 104-6), which took effect on April 10, 1995, stipulated that no funds could be used to make final listing or critical habitat determinations. Now that funding has been restored, the Service is proceeding with a final determination for the Peninsular Ranges population of desert bighorn sheep. Due to government reorganization in Mexico, appropriate officials were apparently not made aware of the Service's proposed listing of the Peninsular bighorn sheep. As a result, no comments were received from the Mexican government during the initial comment period on the period rule nor during the subsequent two extended comment periods (62 FR 16518, April 7, 1997, and 62 FR 32733, June 17, 1997). Recently the Service became award of apparent Mexican interest in providing comment on the proposed rule. Therefore, to ensure that the final listing decision is based on the best available information, and abide by the requirement that foreign countries be involved regarding listing decisions that may affect conservation of species in their area, the comment period is being reopened. Written comments may now be submitted until November 12, 1997, to the Service office in the ADDRESSES section. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: October 14, 1997. Michael J. Spear, Regional Director, Region 1. [FR Doc. 97-28346 Filed 10-24-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-28346. Public record. Not legal advice.