Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Threatened Status for the Santa Ana Sucker

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF34

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of

Comment Period on Proposed Threatened Status for the Santa Ana Sucker

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pursuant to the

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), reopen the comment

period on the proposal to list the Santa Ana Sucker (Catostomus

santaanae) as a threatened species. The comment period is extended to

accommodate the public notice requirement of the Endangered Species Act

of 1973, as amended, (Act) and to consider new scientific information.

In addition, reopening of the comment period will allow further

opportunity for all interested parties to submit comments on the

proposal, which is available (see ADDRESSES section). We are seeking

comments or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental

agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested

parties concerning the proposed rule. Comments already submitted on the

proposed rule need not be resubmitted as they will be fully consider in

the final determination.

DATES: The reopened comment period closes January 3, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this proposed rule should

be sent to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 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: Glen Knowles, Carlsbad Fish and

Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section) at (760) 431-9440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On January 26, 1999, the Service published a rule proposing

threatened status for the Santa Ana Sucker (Catostomus santaanae) in

the Federal Register (64 FR 3915). The original comment period closed

on March 29, 1999. Section 4(b)(5)(D) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et

seq.) requires us to ``publish a summary of the proposed regulation in

a newspaper of general circulation in each area of the United States in

which the species is believed to occur.'' To accommodate this

requirement, we are reopening the comment period for this proposal to

list the Santa Ana sucker as a threatened species. The comment period

now closes on January 3, 2000. Written comments should be submitted to

the Service (see ADDRESSES section).

The Santa Ana Sucker was once one of the most common fish species

in southern California. Today, the species is reduced to approximately

25 percent of its former range. These declines occurred coincident with

the urbanization of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The species is

threatened by potential habitat destruction, natural and human-induced

changes in streamflows, urban development and related land-use

practices, intensive recreation, the introduction of non-native

competitors and predators, and demographics associated with small

populations. Comments from the public regarding the accuracy of this

proposed rule are sought, especially regarding:

(1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning

any threat (or lack thereof) to this species;

(2) The location of any additional occurrences of this species and

the reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined to be

critical habitat pursuant to section 4 of the Act;

(3) Additional information concerning the range, distribution, and

population size of this species;

(4) Current or planned activities in the subject area and their

possible impacts on the Santa Ana Sucker or its habitat;

(5) Information regarding the introduction of the Santa Clara River

population and the role it may play in the recovery of this species.

Comments previously submitted during the first comment period need

not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in the final

determination.

Author: The primary author of this notice is Glen Knowles (see

ADDRESSES section).

Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered

Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Dated: December 10, 1999.

Elizabeth H. Stevens,

Deputy Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento,

California.

[FR Doc. 99-32576 Filed 12-15-99; 8:45 am]

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