Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the San Xavier Talussnail

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AC13

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of

Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the San Xavier

Talussnail

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that

the public comment period for the proposal to list the San Xavier

talussnail (Sonorella eremita) is reopened. This land snail is known to

occur at a single site near Tucson, Arizona, in an area of limestone

talus about 50 by 100 feet in size.

DATES: The comment period originally closed on May 24, 1994. This

notice reopens the public comment period, which now closes on July 21,

1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials should be sent to the Field

Supervisor, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, 2321 W. Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona

85021. Comments and materials received will be available for public

inspection during normal business hours, by appointment, at the above

address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Bills, Arizona Ecological

Services Field Office, at the above address or telephone (602) 640-

2720.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The San Xavier talussnail was first proposed as endangered on March

23, 1994 (59 FR 13691). At that time, a 60-day public comment period

was opened until May 23, 1994, and all interested parties were

requested to submit factual reports or information that might

contribute to the development of a final rule. A final determination of

whether to list the San Xavier talussnail has not yet been made.

Following a recent examination of property boundaries, the Service

discovered that the owner of the habitat occupied by the San Xavier

talussnail is not the entity previously believed to be the owner. In

consideration of the new information concerning ownership of the

species' habitat and the length of time that has elapsed since the

initial proposal, the Service has determined that reopening the comment

period is necessary. The Service is seeking comments or suggestions

from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific

community, industry, or any other interested party concerning this

proposed rule. The Service is seeking any new information that may have

been developed since the proposal was published, and that may expand

the current knowledge concerning the status, distribution, or threats

surrounding the San Xavier talussnail.

Author: The primary author of this document is Jennifer Fowler-

Probst, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES

section).

Authority

The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act (16

U.S.C. 1532 et seq.).

Dated: May 13, 1998.

Jamie Rappaport Clark,

Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 98-13795 Filed 5-21-98; 8:45 am]

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