[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 213 (Friday, November 1, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 56501-56502] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-28058] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AC32 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, Notice of Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the Alameda Whipsnake, the Callippe Silverspot Butterfly, and the Behren's Silverspot Butterfly 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 on proposed endangered status for Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus), the callippe silverspot butterfly (Speyeria callippe callippe), and Behren's silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene behrensii). The comment period has been reopened to acquire additional information from interested parties, and to resume the proposed listing actions. DATES: The public comment period closes December 2, 1996. Any comments received by the closing date will be considered in the final decision on this proposal. ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal should be sent directly to the Field Supervisor, Sacramento Field Office, 3310 El Camino Ave., Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95821. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Windham (see ADDRESSES section) at (916) 979-2725. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On February 4, 1994, the Service published a rule proposing endangered status for the Alameda whipsnake, and the callippe silverspot and Behren's silverspot butterflies. The original comment period closed on April 5, 1994. The Alameda whipsnake occurs in northern coastal scrub, chaparral, and adjacent habitats in the inner coast ranges of western and central Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Five populations of the whipsnake are centered in the (1) Sobrante Ridge, Tilden/Wildcat Regional Parks area to the Briones Hills, in Contra Costa County; (2) Oakland Hills, Anthony Chabot area to Las Trampas Ridge, in Contra Costa County; (3) Hayward Hills, Palomares area to Pleasanton Ridge, in Alameda County; (4) Mount Diablo vicinity and the Black Hills, in Contra Costa County; and (5) Wauhag Ridge, Del Valle area to the Cedar Mountain Ridge, in Alameda County. Little or no genetic flow occurs between these population centers. The whipsnake occurs on State, county, and privately owned lands. The callippe silverspot butterfly (Speyeria calippe callippe) is found in native grassland and adjacent habitats, where it lays its eggs on the dry remains of the larval foodplant, Johnny- jump-up (Viola pedunculata), or on surrounding debris. Populations of the callippe silverspot butterfly occur only in the San Francisco Bay area, south of the Golden Gate and Carquinez Straits. The only two known remaining colonies occur on private, county, and State lands on San Bruno Mountain in San Mateo County, and a city park in Alameda County. The Behren's silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene behrensii) inhabits coastal terrace prairie habitat where it lays its eggs in the debris and dried stems of the larval foodplant, the western dog violet (Viola adunca). The single, extant population occurs on private land near Point Arena in Mendocino County. These animals, their habitats, and the foodplants of the larval butterflies may be threatened by one or more of the following: commercial and residential development, fire suppression, overcollecting, competition from alien plants, inappropriate grazing levels, off-road vehicle use, trampling by hikers and livestock, and random chance events by virtue of their small numbers, and small, fragmented population sizes. The Service was unable to make a final listing determination on these species because of a limited budget, other endangered species assignments driven by court orders, and higher listing priorities. In addition, a moratorium on listing actions (Public [[Page 56502]] Law 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 these three animal species. Due to the length of time that has elapsed since the close of the initial comment period, changing procedural and biological circumstances and the need to review the best scientific information available during the decision-making process, the comment period is being reopened. The Service now believes that the effects of fire suppression, a factor not identified in the proposed rule as a threat to the Alameda whipsnake and its habitat, may be a significant factor in the determination of the final status for the whipsnake. For this reason, the Service particularly seeks information concerning: (1) the known or potential effects of fire suppression and general fire management practices on the Alameda whipsnake and its habitat. In addition, the Service seeks information that has become available in the last two years concerning: (2) other biological, commercial, or other relevant data on any threat (or lack thereof) to any of these species; and (3) the size, number, or distribution of populations of any of these species. Written comments may be submitted until December 2, 1996 to the Service office in the ADDRESSES section. Author The primary author of this notice is Diane Windham (see ADDRESSES section). Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: October 25, 1996. Thomas Dwyer, Acting Regional Director, Region 1. [FR Doc. 96-28058 Filed 10-31-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P