[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 42093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20594]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 23
Proposed Revision of Regulations Implementing the Endangered
Species Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; CITES)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to propose rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: This document requests suggestions and recommendations from
the public for revisions to certain Federal regulations which implement
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the United States; 50 CFR part 23 subparts
A, B, C, and D. These regulations, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) plans to update and modify, include provisions
concerned with the import, export, re-export, and introduction from the
sea of CITES-listed wildlife and plants to and from the United States,
as well as those regulations which cover public participation in the
development of U.S. negotiating positions for meetings of the CITES
Conference of the Parties (COP).
DATES: Comments and other information received through September 30,
1997, will be considered by the Service in developing proposed
amendments to 50 CFR part 23.
ADDRESSES: Comments and other information should be sent to Kenneth
Stansell, Chief, Office of Management Authority, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive,
Room 430, Arlington, VA 22203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce J. Weissgold or Susan S.
Lieberman, Office of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service: telephone 703/358-2093; fax 703/358-2280.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
Comments and other information can also be sent via electronic mail
(E-mail) to: [email protected].
Background
The Service is planning to revise regulations covering the
implementation of CITES in the United States (50 CFR part 23) in order
to provide the public with a more transparent and open explanation of
Service procedures with regard to the implementation of CITES wildlife
and plant international trade control provisions. The Service is
considering revising and reorganizing subparts A , B, C, and D of 50
CFR part 23. These regulations were last revised in 1977 and 1980
(depending on which subpart is considered); and since that time, the
Service has developed and modified procedures to adjust to the changing
circumstances and conditions necessary for effective CITES
implementation in the United States.
At each of the ten CITES COPs convened since the treaty went into
force in 1975, including COP10 which was held in Harare, Zimbabwe in
June 1997, interpretive resolutions to the Convention have been adopted
by the Parties. The Service has determined that some of these
interpretive CITES resolutions, as they relate directly to
implementation and enforcement of the Convention, need to be
implemented through the promulgation of regulations. In addition, the
Service has developed procedures through the statutory authority
granted by Congress in the Endangered Species Act but has not yet
updated Part 23 to incorporate those procedures. The proposed revision
of 50 CFR part 23 will address those procedures and interpretive
resolutions.
Furthermore, it is the intent of the Service to find ways to
improve and enhance the opportunities which the public has to
participate in the development of policy positions for meetings of the
CITES Conference of the Parties (COP). The Service intends to continue
to fully consider public input on the development of U.S. policy
positions, and invites comments as to how the Service can most
effectively receive information from the public on CITES COP policy
position formulation. The Service will consider all comments regarding
revisions to subparts A, B, C, and D of 50 CFR part 23, as well as
comments on specific procedures related to these regulations. The
Service is not requesting comments which are unrelated to 50 CFR part
23 revisions, such as CITES species listing positions, policy positions
related to the CITES Conference of the Parties (COP), or any other
wildlife trade issue which is not directly related to 50 CFR part 23
revisions.
Interested organizations and individuals are invited to comment on
the planned revision of 50 CFR part 23 and on public participation in
the development of Service policy positions for CITES COPs. The Service
will consider all comments received during the comment period in
drafting a proposed rule.
Author: This notice was prepared by Bruce J. Weissgold, Office
of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 23
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Treaties.
Dated: July 23, 1997.
John G. Rogers,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20594 Filed 8-4-97; 8:45 am]
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