Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a notice regarding the proposed rule to list the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The notice, now posted in the Federal Register, is regarding a 45 day extension for comments on the five state conservation plan as well as the Service’s intent to initiate a 4(d) rule.
According to the notice summary:
“We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to create a special rule under authority of section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), that provides measures that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). In addition, we announce the reopening of the public comment period on the December 11, 2012, proposed rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species under the Act. We also announce the availability of a draft rangewide conservation plan for the lesser prairie-chicken, which has been prepared by the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Interstate Working Group, and request comments on the plan as it relates to our determination of status under section 4(a)(1) of the Act.”
Read the full notice in the Federal Register HERE.
