Designated Critical Habitat: Reproposed Critical Habitat for Johnson's Seagrass; Extension of Public Comment Period

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 226

[I.D. 110599D]

RIN 0648-AL82

Designated Critical Habitat: Reproposed Critical Habitat for

Johnson's Seagrass; Extension of Public Comment Period

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is extending the public comment period on the reproposed

rule to designate critical habitat for Johnson's seagrass (Halophila

johnsonii).

DATES: The public comment period, which would otherwise close on

January 3, 2000, has been extended and now closes on February 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials regarding the proposed rule

should be directed to Mr. Charles Oravetz, Assistant Regional

Administrator, Protected Resources Division, NMFS, Southeast Regional

Office, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, Florida

33702-2432. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or

Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Layne Bolen, Panama City Laboratory,

Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 850-234-6541 ext. 237,

[email protected] or Marta Nammack, Office of Protected Resources,

NMFS, 301-713-1401, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 2, 1999, NMFS published a

reproposed rule to designate critical habitat for Johnson's seagrass

under the Endangered Species Act (64 FR 67536). Public comments were

solicited, a public hearing was announced, and the comment period was

set to expire on January 3, 2000. NMFS is extending the public comment

period to end on February 2, 2000, in order to provide at least 60 days

for public comment following publication in the Federal Register.

Dated: December 23, 1999.

Ann Terbush,

Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine

Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 99-34064 Filed 12-30-99; 8:45 am]

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