[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 27, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 44032-44033] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-21505] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 227 and 425 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 and 425 Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Public Meetings, Public Hearings and Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Threatened Status for a Distinct Population Segment of Anadromous Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) in Seven Maine Rivers AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce; and Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Reopening of public comment period and announcement of public meetings and hearings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service, collectively the Services, give notice that the public comment period has been reopened in regards to the proposed threatened status designation for a distinct population segment of anadromous Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) in the Sheepscot, Ducktrap, Narraguagus, Pleasant, Machias, East Machias, and Dennys Rivers in Marine. There will be three public meetings to present information and answer questions, followed immediately by more formal public hearings to accept verbal and written comments about the designation of this population segment as threatened. The comment period is reopened for a period of 45 days. DATES: The combined public meeting and hearings will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on September 17, Augusta, Maine; from 7 to 10 p.m. on September 18, Ellsworth, Maine; and from 7 to 10 p.m. on September 19, Machias, Maine. All scientific data and comments must be submitted to the Services by October 11, 1996. ADDRESSES: Comments: Please send any written comments to Paul Nickerson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, Massachusetts 01035, or Mary Colligan, National Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930. Public Meetings and Hearings: [[Page 44033]] 1. Cushnoc Room, Augusta Civic Center, Community Drive, Augusta, Maine. 2. Ellsworth Middle School, 20 Forrest Avenue, Ellsworth, Maine. 3. Science 102, University of Maine--Machias, 9 O'Brien Avenue, Machias, Maine. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Nickerson at (413) 253-8615 or Mary Colligan at (508) 281-9116. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Endangered Species Act requires that a public hearing be held on proposed regulations if requested within 45 days of the proposal's publication in the Federal Register. On September 29, 1995 (60 FR 50530), the Services published a proposed rule to list the DPS of Atlantic salmon as threatened. Public hearing requests were received during the allotted time period. The public comment period for this proposed action officially closed on December 28, 1995. Due to federal furloughs and legislative and funding restrictions imposed, the Departments of Commerce and Interior were not able to hold the requested public hearings during the original comment period. On April 26, 1996, the President waived the moratorium on ESA listing actions, as authorized by the FY 96 Omnibus Appropriations Act for both the Departments of Commerce and Interior. The Services may now proceed with previously pending listing actions. Consequently we are now reopening the comment period on this proposed rule and announcing public hearings. The proposed rule published in September, included a special 4(d) provision that allowed the state of Maine the opportunity to develop a conservation plan for the species. Following publication of the proposed rule the Governor of Maine issued an Executive Order creating a task force to draft the conservation plan. That task force has been actively working on the plan since October, 1995. Separate hearings will be held by state officials on the conservation plan in early September. During this comment period the Services desire any scientific and commercial data that may have become available since closure of the previous comment period on December 28, 1995. The Services final determination whether to list the DPS of Atlantic salmon will consider all comments received during this and earlier comment periods and may result in final regulations that differ from the proposal of September 29, 1995. In response to the request for public hearings, the Services have scheduled three combined public meetings and hearings. The meetings will run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. and will be followed by a 15 minute intermission. During the public meeting, the Services will make a brief presentation and will informally answer questions about the proposal; state officials will also make a brief presentation on the status of the conversation plan and informally answer questions about the plan. The meeting will not be recorded and will not be part of the formal record. The public hearings, which will begin at 8:30 p.m., will provide an opportunity for interested individuals to enter formal statements on the proposal, which will become part of the administrative record. Those parties wishing to make statements should present them to the Services at the start of the hearing. Oral statements must be limited to five minutes in length, however, there is no limit to the length of written comments or materials. Oral and written statements receive equal consideration during deliberations. Written comments may now be submitted through October 11, 1996 to either of the offices in the ADDRESSES section. Author The primary authors of this notice are Mary Colligan and Paul Nicherson (addresses are above). Authority: The authority for this section is the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544). Dated: August 14, 1996. Ralph C. Pisapia, Acting Regional Director, Region 5. Dated: August 22, 1996. Rennie S. Holt, Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources. [FR Doc. 96-21505 Filed 8-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M