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* Elevation in feet (NGVD) + Elevation in feet (NAVD) # Depth in feet above Flooding source(s) Location of referenced elevation ground Communities affected Effective Modified

ADDRESSES Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Maps are available for inspection at Ginger Lynn Welch Complex, 810 Aquona Road, Cherokee, North Carolina. Send comments to Mr. Michell Hicks, Principal Chief for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, P.O. Box 455, Cherokee, North Carolina 28719. Graham County Maps are available for inspection at Graham County Mapping Department, 12 North Main Street, Robbinsville, North Carolina. Send comments to Mrs. Sandra Smith, Graham County Manager, 12 North Main Street, Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771. Town of Lake Santeetlah Maps are available for inspection at Lake Santeetlah Town Hall, 4 Marina Drive, Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina. Send comments to The Honorable Harding Hohenschutz, Mayor of the Town of Lake Santeetlah, 4 Marina Drive, Lake Santeetlah, North Caro- lina 28771. Town of Robbinsville Maps are available for inspection at Robbinsville Town Hall, 4 Court Street, Robbinsville, North Carolina. Send comments to The Honorable Bobby Cagle, Jr., Mayor of the Town of Robbinsville, P.O. Box 129, Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771.

Moody County, South Dakota, and Incorporated Areas

Big Sioux River ...... Just upstream of County Highway 32 2500 feet up- None +1532 Unincorporated Areas of stream of First Avenue. None +1543 Moody County, City of Flandreau.

* National Geodetic Vertical Datum. # Depth in feet above ground. + North American Vertical Datum. ADDRESSES City of Flandreau Maps are available for inspection at 1005 W. Elm Avenue, Planning and Zoning Department, Flandreau, SD 57028. Send comments to The Honorable Warren Ludeman, Mayor, City of Flandreau, 1005 W. Elm Avenue, PO Box 343, Flandreau, SD 57028. Unincorporated Areas of Moody County Maps are available for inspection at 101 E. Pipestone Avenue, Suite E, Flandreau, SD 57028. Send comments to Ms. Brenda Duncan, Planning and Zoning Secretary, 101 E. Pipestone Avenue, Suite E, Flandreau, SD 57028.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and normal business hours at the 97.022, ‘‘Flood Insurance.’’) Wildlife Service (Service), announce a Chesapeake Bay Field Office, U.S. Fish Dated: August 31, 2007. 90-day finding on a petition to list the and Wildlife Service, 177 Admiral David I. Maurstad, Kenk’s amphipod ( kenki), Cochrane Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401. Federal Insurance Administrator of the the Virginia well amphipod New information, materials, comments, National Flood Insurance Program, (Stygobromus phreaticus), and the or questions concerning this species Department of Homeland Security, Federal copepod Acanthocyclops columbiensis may be submitted to us at any time at Emergency Management Agency. as endangered under the Endangered the above address. [FR Doc. E7–17821 Filed 9–10–07; 8:45 am] Species Act of 1973, as amended. We FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John BILLING CODE 9110–12–P find the petition does not provide Wolflin, Field Supervisor, Chesapeake substantial scientific or commercial Bay Field Office (see ADDRESSES) information indicating that listing of (telephone 410–573–4574; facsimile these three may be DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 410–269–0832). People who use a warranted. Therefore, we will not telecommunications device for the deaf initiate a further status review in Fish and Wildlife Service (TDD) may call the Federal Information response to this petition. We ask the Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. public to submit to us any new 50 CFR Part 17 information that becomes available SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife concerning the status of these species, Background and Plants; 90-Day Finding on a or threats to them or their habitat, at any time. This information will help us Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Petition To List Kenk’s Amphipod, Species Act, as amended (Act) (16 Virginia Well Amphipod, and the monitor and encourage the conservation of these species. U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the Copepod Acanthocyclops Service make a finding on whether a columbiensis as Endangered DATES: The finding announced in this petition to list, delist, or reclassify a document was made on September 11, species presents substantial scientific or AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 2007. Interior. commercial information indicating that ADDRESSES: The supporting file for this the petitioned action may be warranted. ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition finding is available for public We base this finding on information finding. inspection, by appointment, during provided in the petition, supporting

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information submitted with the petition a magnitude that would justify Threats Analysis (and determined to be reliable after emergency listing. The Service sent Section 4 of the Act and its review), and information available in letters to Dr. Mitchell on April 17 and implementing regulations (50 CFR Part our files or otherwise available to us at June 14, 2001, and to Mr. Gordon on 424) set forth the procedures for adding the time we make the determination. To August 1, 2001, explaining this species to the Federal Lists of the maximum extent practicable, we are determination. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife to make this finding within 90 days of Species Information and Plants. A species may be our receipt of the petition and promptly determined to be an endangered or Amphipods of the Stygobromus publish our notice of the finding in the threatened species due to one or more occur in groundwater or groundwater- Federal Register. of the five factors described in section related habitats (for example, caves, Our standard for substantial scientific 4(a)(1) of the Act: (A) Present or seeps, small springs, wells, interstices, or commercial information within the threatened destruction, modification, or and rarely deep lakes). They are small Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) with curtailment of habitat or range; (B) crustaceans modified for survival in regard to a 90-day petition finding is overutilization for commercial, these subterranean habitats; they are ‘‘that amount of information that would recreational, scientific, or educational generally eyeless and unpigmented lead a reasonable person to believe that purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) (Holsinger 1978, pp. 1–2). Members of the measure proposed in the petition inadequacy of existing regulatory this genus occur only in fresh water and may be warranted’’ (50 CFR 424.14(b)). mechanisms; or (E) other natural or belong to the family , the If we find that substantial scientific or manmade factors affecting its continued largest family of freshwater amphipods commercial information was presented, existence. In making this finding, we in North America. Both Kenk’s we are required to promptly commence evaluated whether threats to the three amphipod and Virginia well amphipod a status review of the species. invertebrates presented in the petition In making this finding, we relied on were described by Dr. John R. Holsinger and identified in other information information provided by Dr. Richard (Holsinger 1978, pp. 39–42, 98–101) and available to us may pose a concern with Mitchell and Mr. Rob Gordon (herein occur in seeps and springs. The Kenk’s respect to the species’ survival. Our referred to as ‘‘the petitioners’’) in the amphipod was historically reported evaluation of these threats is presented initial petition and petition supplement (tentative identification) from a well in below. In the discussion below, we have that we determined to be reliable after northern Virginia, and the Virginia well placed the threats listed in the petition reviewing sources referenced in the amphipod was reported historically under the most appropriate listing petition, and information otherwise from two wells in northern Virginia. available in our files at the time of the The specific name phreaticus indicates factor. petition review. We evaluated this that this species is most likely to be A. Present or Threatened Destruction, information in accordance with 50 CFR found in deeper groundwater habitats. Modification, or Curtailment of the 424.14(b). Our process of making a 90- Both species can be found in dead Species’ Habitat or Range day finding under section 4(b)(3)(A) of leaves or fine sediment submerged in the Act and § 424.14(b) of our the waters of their spring-seep outflows General regulations is limited to a determination (Holsinger 1978, p. 130). The two sites The petitioners state that rapid of whether the information in the mentioned in the petitions and the commercial and residential petition meets the ‘‘substantial additional four known sites for Kenk’s development over the last 20 years in [scientific or commercial] information’’ amphipod are seeps in the Rock Creek the metropolitan Washington, DC, area threshold. The substantiality test is drainage in Washington, DC, and has destroyed numerous seeps, springs, applied only to the reliable information Montgomery County, MD (Feller 2005, and bogs associated with the Coastal supporting the petition. p. 11). The only known extant site for Plain and Piedmont elements of the On March 27, 2001, we received a Virginia well amphipod is a seep in a Upper Potomac River and its tributaries. petition dated March 20, 2001, from Dr. ravine on Fort Belvoir, a U.S. Army Associated with this development are Richard Mitchell to list as endangered: installation in Fairfax County, VA. runoff and pollution that further Kenk’s amphipod (); Acanthocyclops columbiensis is a degrade the habitat of these unique Virginia well amphipod (Stygobromus of the subclass Copepoda. endemic invertebrates. The petitioners phreaticus); and a copepod with no Copepods are generally microscopic assert that the groundwater table has common name (Acanthocyclops and, as a group, are widely distributed lowered drastically and wells, springs, columbiensis), which we refer to by its in a variety of freshwater and marine and seeps have dried in the last 100 scientific name in this document. In this habitats. A. columbiensis was described years. The petitioners claim that, document, we will collectively refer to by Dr. Janet W. Reid (Reid 1990, pp. currently, little habitat remains for the these three crustaceans as the three 175–180). The species has been found in three invertebrates except in heavily invertebrates. The Service received a acidic pools below seeps or springs at used parks and on military reservations. supplement to this petition dated June two locations in Prince Georges County, The petitioners assert that given their 26, 2001, from Mr. Rob Gordon of the MD: a spring at Oxon Hill Farm Park limited distribution and highly National Wilderness Institute. and a seep at Fort Stanton Park. Both restricted habitats, the three Action on the petition and parks are administered by the National invertebrates could be driven to supplement was precluded by court Park Service (NPS). No status survey has extinction by relatively small human orders and settlement agreements for been conducted for the species, and it disturbances such as a single other listing actions that required nearly is likely that it will be found at construction project. all of our listing funds for fiscal year additional locations, as were related 2001. However, the Service did evaluate species in brackish wetlands (Reid 2001; Kenk’s Amphipod the need for emergency listing based on Palmer 2001). The petition supplement states that S. the information provided in the initial To our knowledge, the of kenki is currently known from only two petition and the supplement and the three invertebrates has never been sites (East Spring and Sherrill Drive determined that the threats described challenged, indicating that they are Spring) in Rock Creek Park did not constitute immediate threats of valid species. (administered by NPS), and it indicates

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that a species existing in a park is not, phreaticus will be imminent extinction regarding the threats to East Spring and of itself, adequate protection. The in the absence of the Act’s protection. Sherrill Drive Spring appears plausible, petitioners state that a no specific source is cited by the Acanthocyclops columbiensis macroinvertebrate survey of Rock Creek petitioners, and this information relates (no citation provided, but identified by The petitioners state that A. to only two of the six known sites. The the Service as Feller 1997) described columbiensis, unless protected, could planned stormwater infrastructure both sites as highly threatened and likewise be extirpated at any moment. project in the District of Columbia believed the existence of S. kenki is They indicate that it is known from only mentioned by the petitioners is unlikely equally as tenuous to S. hayi, a listed two locations, Fort Stanton and Oxon to have an effect on this species, as it species that occurs within the park Hill Parks. They further assert that A. only affects a section of the Rock Creek boundary. The petitioners also state that columbiensis’ occurrence in a National drainage well downstream of all Kenk’s according to the NPS (no citation Park affords it little specific protection. amphipod sites (Yeaman 2001). The provided): Rob Gordon (author of the petition petitioners provide no citation to Long-term threats exist within and outside supplement) has not seen the Fort support their statement that there is an the borders of Rock Creek Park. The East Stanton site but indicates that at Oxon increasing level and frequency of Spring site could be threatened by additional Hill, where it is found in a small, brick- flooding in Rock Creek and that this development of the recreation area located lined spring, A. columbiensis is increased flooding is affecting Kenk’s up slope. The Sherrill Drive Spring site could vulnerable to extirpation. Gordon cites amphipod. be threatened by any changes in open space impacts from humans (such as, litter As stated by the petitioners, Virginia at Walter Reed Hospital or surrounding and discarded harmful substances) and well amphipod is currently known to be homes. An example is the plan Walter Reed a current major Federal construction Hospital has for building an additional extant at only a single location (Chazal Research facility on its grounds. project (Wilson Bridge), which includes and Hobson 2003, p. iii). The petition a 12-lane, two-span drawbridge and correctly states that there is an The petitioners assert that rebuilding expansive network of approaches, as increasing number of activities the stormwater infrastructure of the city threats to this species. He asserts that occurring on Fort Belvoir, but presents by the District of Columbia threatens the the highway project alone could no evidence that the referenced species (Twomey 2001). massively alter the hydrologic regime, activities will affect the recharge area, as The petitioners state that unusually altering ground water recharge and delineated by MACTEC (2003, p. 19), for high flood levels from Rock Creek reach introducing pollution from the project the seep supporting this species. The the level of the spring habitat of Kenk’s area. one activity described in detail in the amphipod, and this spring habitat has Evaluation of Information in the Petition petition, the construction of the Army been flooded with increasing frequency Museum, will occur near Route 1, in recent years. They indicate that flood The citations provided in the petition approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) waters may adversely affect spring do not support the petitioner’s claims from the seep and its recharge area habitat by washing away leaf litter and for any of the three species. (Keough 2001), making this activity fine sediments, which form the Furthermore, the assertion that the three unlikely to affect this species. Although microhabitat utilized by S. kenki. invertebrates could be driven to the petitioners state that planning is extinction by a single construction Virginia Well Amphipod underway for additional Potomac River project is not plausible for Kenk’s bridges near Washington, DC, they The petitioners state that S. amphipod, which occurs at six different provide no supporting information for phreaticus is known from only one sites (Feller 2005, p. 11), or for A. this claim, and the Service is not aware current location and that until its columbiensis, which is known from two of any planning currently underway rediscovery at Fort Belvoir, there was different sites and may occur in many (Zepp 2006). concern that it was extinct (no citation more areas (Reid 2001). It is more As stated in the petition supplement, provided). The petitioners cite plausible for Virginia well amphipod, Acanthocyclops columbiensis is Terwilliger (1991, p. 185) to support which, at present, is only known from currently known to be extant at only their claim that it is unlikely that the a single site on Fort Belvoir. However, two locations, Fort Stanton Park and species exists elsewhere. This claim is the petition provides no information Oxon Hill Farm Park, both in Prince further supported in the petition by about, nor are we aware of, any projects Georges County, MD. The petitioners Holsinger (1978) who hypothesizes that planned within the recharge area for provided information concerning threats the very distinctive morphological this species as delineated by the at the Oxon Hill site only; no structure of the Virginia well amphipod hydrogeologic study funded by Fort information is provided for the Fort makes it unlikely to be overlooked in Belvoir (MACTEC 2003, p. 19). Stanton Park site. Their evidence other collections. Kenk’s amphipod is known from six concerning the threat of pollution of the The petitioners state that there are an sites, not two as the petitioner asserts. Oxon Hill spring from public littering is increasing number of activities at Fort Four of the sites are within Rock Creek speculative and not supported by any Belvoir that could affect S. phreaticus. Park in the District of Columbia, and independent sources. The potential for In the Fort, in addition to constant two are in Montgomery County, MD: impacts to this copepod from upgrades activity such as military exercises and one in a county park and one on private to the Washington (DC) Beltway and the training, there is the prospect of greatly property (Feller 2005, p. 11). The construction of a new access road to increased building activities, including macroinvertebrate study (Feller 1997, Oxon Hill Farm Park (which are part of creation of the Army Museum with its pp. 8, 24–25, 37) that was referenced in the Wilson Bridge Project) appears attendant construction activities and the petition supplement does support plausible, given the potential impact increased visitation. The petitioners also the petitioners’ claim that the East area for the project shown in the state that planning is underway for Spring and Sherill Drive Spring sites are Environmental Impact Statement for the additional bridges crossing the Potomac highly threatened; however, the petition Wilson Bridge (Federal Highway River near Washington and conclude does not refer to any of the other four Administration 2000, Figure 3–13). that the cumulative result of these sites supporting the species. Although However, construction of these features ongoing and increasing activities for S. the information attributed to NPS is now complete, and we are aware of

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no evidence that spring flows have been Hay’s Spring amphipod (47 FR 5425, that the three invertebrates (Kenk’s affected. February 5, 1982). amphipod, Virginia well amphipod, and Based on the information in the The petitioners also assert that Acanthocyclops columbiensis) require petition and information readily manmade or small natural events could listing throughout their current, available to us, we conclude that destroy the only known habitat for respective ranges; the petitioned action present or threatened destruction, Virginia well amphipod at Fort Belvoir was to list each of the invertebrates modification, or curtailment of habitats and the Fort Stanton and Oxon Hill throughout all of its range. As discussed or ranges has not affected the status of Farm habitats for A. columbiensis. above, we have determined that the the three invertebrates to the extent that Evaluation of Information in the Petition petition did not present substantial listing under the Act as a threatened or information that the petitioned action We also note that Hay’s Spring endangered species may be warranted. may be warranted. Although we have no amphipod was not known to occur on obligation under section 4(b)(1) to B. Overutilization for Commercial, NPS lands (its only occurrence was on Recreational, Scientific, or Educational the adjacent National Zoological Park), address the separate question of Purposes so the protections (or lack thereof) that whether any of the three invertebrates is The petitioners assert that even now apply to Rock Creek Park were not threatened or endangered in a moderate collection of the three species a consideration in the listing decision significant portion of its range, we note for scientific or educational purposes (47 FR 5425, February 5, 1982). that nothing in the petition or our files would pose a threat to these species due Therefore, we find that the petition lead us to the conclusion that we should to their rarity and limited occurrence in does not present substantial scientific or at this time, undertake a candidate small locales. commercial information concerning the assessment of any of the three inadequacy of existing regulatory invertebrates to determine whether it is Evaluation of Information in the Petition mechanisms to indicate that listing of threatened or endangered in a The petitioners provide no the three invertebrates may be significant portion of its range. If the documentation that collecting for warranted. Service obtains sufficient information in scientific or educational purposes is a the future that suggests that any of the E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors threat, nor are we aware of any such three invertebrates may warrant listing Affecting Its Continued Existence information. Collections involved very due to threats in all or a significant low numbers of the three invertebrates, The petitioners indicate that ‘‘any portion of its range, we will initiate a and effects on their populations are activities affecting the Upper Potomac candidate assessment, subject to unlikely. Therefore, we find that the and its tributaries, especially the ground availability of resources, and if petition does not contain substantial water level and its characteristics could appropriate, add the species to the scientific or commercial information be detrimental to the survival of these candidate list or propose its listing concerning collecting for scientific or three invertebrates.’’ The petitioners where threatened or endangered. educational purposes to indicate that also assert that manmade or small listing of the three invertebrates may be natural events could destroy the only Finding warranted. known habitat for the Virginia well amphipod at Fort Belvoir and Fort We reviewed the petition, the petition C. Disease and Predation Stanton and Oxon Hill Farm habitats for supplement, and supporting The petitioners speculate that it is A. columbiensis information provided with these reasonable to assume that the three documents and evaluated that invertebrates could possibly be prey for Evaluation of Information in the Petition information in relation to other large aquatic insects and their Activities in the Upper Potomac and pertinent literature and information predacious larvae. its tributaries have previously been available in our files at the time of covered under Factor A. Except for the petition review. After this review and Evaluation of Information in the Petition proposed Army Museum, discussed evaluation, we find the petition does not The petitioners provide no under Factor A, the petitioners have present substantial scientific or documentation that such predators are provided no documentation of specific commercial information to demonstrate present in the spring-seep habitats of the threats at Fort Belvoir. Specific that listing of Kenk’s amphipod, three invertebrates or that their manmade or natural events potentially Virginia well amphipod, or the copepod predation constitutes a threat. affecting A. columbiensis were Acanthocyclops columbiensis may be Therefore, we find that the petition does discussed under Factors A and D. warranted at this time, nor do we have not present substantial scientific or No additional information or other information available to us that commercial information concerning that documentation is provided on this point indicates that a listing proposal may be disease or predation to indicate that by the petitioners. Therefore, we find warranted. We encourage interested listing of the three invertebrates may be that the petition does not present parties to continue to gather data that warranted. substantial scientific or commercial will assist with the conservation of information concerning other natural or D. Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory these species. Information regarding the manmade factors, to indicate that listing Mechanisms three invertebrates may be submitted to of the three invertebrates may be the Field Supervisor, Chesapeake Bay The petitioners indicate that Kenk’s warranted. amphipod receives some protection Field Office (see ADDRESSES), at any from NPS, which administers Rock Significant Portion of the Range time. Creek Park, but that such protection was Under section 4(b)(1) of the Act, we References Cited not considered adequate for the are required to make a finding as to federally listed Hay’s Spring amphipod whether the petition presents A complete list of all references cited (), which also occurs substantial information ‘‘that the herein is available upon request from there. In support of the latter statement, petitioned action may be warranted’’ the Chesapeake Bay Field Office (see the petitioners cite the rule listing the (emphasis added). The petition asserts ADDRESSES).

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Author Draft EA Public Comments Solicited The primary author of this document You may obtain a copy of the draft EA We intend that any final action is the Chesapeake Bay Field Office, by writing us at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife resulting from the proposal to revise the Annapolis, MD. Service, Western Gray Wolf Recovery 2005 special rule (see 72 FR 36942, July 6, 2007) for the central Idaho and Authority Coordinator, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, MT 59601 or by visiting our Web site at: Yellowstone area populations of gray The authority for this action is section http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/ wolves in the northern Rocky 4 of the Endangered Species Act of species/mammals/wolf/. If you wish to Mountains will be as accurate and as 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et comment on the draft EA, you may effective as possible. Therefore, we are seq.). submit comments and materials, requesting data, comments, new Dated: August 31, 2007. identified by ‘‘RIN 1018–AV39,’’ by any information, or suggestions from the Kenneth Stansell, of the following methods: public, other concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 1. You may mail or hand-deliver Service. comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife community, industry, or any other interested party concerning the draft EA [FR Doc. E7–17716 Filed 9–10–07; 8:45 am] Service, Western Gray Wolf Recovery and proposed rule. We particularly seek BILLING CODE 4310–55–P Coordinator, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, MT 59601. comments concerning (1) our draft EA as it analyzes effects of the proposed 2. You may send comments by rule; (2) our proposed modifications to DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR electronic mail (e-mail) directly to the the 2005 experimental population rule Service at [email protected]. to allow private citizens in States with Fish and Wildlife Service Include ‘‘RIN 1018–AV39’’ in the approved post-delisting wolf subject line of the message. 50 CFR Part 17 management plans to take wolves in the Proposal To Revise 10(j) Special Rule act of attacking their stock or RIN 1018–AV39 dogs; and (3) our proposal to establish You may also obtain a copy of the a reasonable process for States and Endangered and Threatened Wildlife proposal to revise the 2005 special Tribes with approved post-delisting and Plants; Proposed Revision of regulation by writing us at: U.S. Fish wolf management plans to allow Special Regulation for the Central and Wildlife Service, Western Gray removal of wolves that are scientifically Idaho and Yellowstone Area Wolf Recovery Coordinator, 585 demonstrated to be impacting ungulate Nonessential Experimental Shepard Way, Helena, MT 59601 or by populations to the degree that they are Populations of Gray Wolves in the visiting our Web site at: http:// not meeting respective State and Tribal Northern Rocky Mountains www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/ management goals. mammals/wolf/ or http://www.fws.gov/ We specifically ask for comments AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, mountain-prairie/species/mammals/ Interior. regarding whether our draft EA wolf/72FR36942.pdf. If you wish to accurately analyzes impacts and ACTION: Notice of availability of draft comment on the proposal to revise the alternatives. We are also specifically environmental assessment; reopening of special regulation, you may submit requesting comments addressing comment period on proposed revision. comments and materials, identified by whether the proposed rule ‘‘RIN 1018–AV39,’’ by any of the SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and modifications would: (1) Reasonably following methods: address conflicts between wolves and Wildlife Service (Service) have prepared 1. You may mail or hand deliver a draft environmental assessment (EA) domestic animals or wild ungulate written comments to the U.S. Fish and populations; (2) provide sufficient of our proposal to revise the 2005 Wildlife Service, Western Gray Wolf special rule for the central Idaho and safeguards to prevent misuse of the Recovery Coordinator, 585 Shepard modified rule; (3) provide an Yellowstone area nonessential Way, Helena, MT 59601. experimental populations of the gray appropriate and transparent public wolf (Canis lupus) in the northern 2. You may send comments by process that ensures decisions are Rocky Mountains. electronic mail (e-mail) directly to the science-based; and (4) provide adequate The Service is reopening the comment Service at [email protected]. guarantees that wolf recovery will not period for the proposed revisions to the Include ‘‘RIN 1018–AV39’’ in the be compromised. 2005 special rule to allow all interested subject line of the message. The draft EA has been prepared under parties to comment simultaneously on 3. You may submit your comments the requirements of the National the proposed revisions and the draft EA. through the Federal e-Rulemaking Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as If you have previously submitted Portal—http://www.regulations.gov. amended (NEPA). The purpose of the comments on the proposed revisions, Follow the instructions for submitting EA is to analyze potential effects to you do not need to resubmit them comments. physical and biological resources and social and economic conditions that because those comments have been FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: incorporated into the public record and may result from revisions to the special Edward E. Bangs, Western Gray Wolf regulation for the management of gray will be fully considered in our final Recovery Coordinator, U.S. Fish and decision. wolves introduced as nonessential Wildlife Service, at our Helena office experimental populations in the DATES: We will accept public comments (see ADDRESSES) or telephone (406) 449– northern Rocky Mountains. on the draft EA and the proposal to 5225, extension 204. Persons who use a Furthermore, the EA serves to assist in revise the special regulation through Telecommunications Device for the Deaf deciding whether the proposed action October 11, 2007. Comments received may call the Federal Information Relay has a significant impact on the human after the closing date will not be Service at (800) 877–8339, 24 hours a environment. If we determine that the considered in our final decision. day, 7 days a week. proposed action results in a significant ADDRESSES: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: impact, we will prepare an

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