Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse

Zusammenfassung

On April 8, 2014, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announced a reopening of the public comment period on the October 28, 2013, proposal to list the Bi-State distinct population segment (DPS) of greater sage-grouse (Bi-State DPS; Centrocercus urophasianus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, with a special rule, and the proposed designation of critical habitat. This document announces an extension of the comment period on the proposed critical habitat rule. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Bi-State DPS and an amended required determinations section of the proposal. We are extending the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed critical habitat rule, the associated DEA, and the amended required determinations section. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final critical habitat rule. The comment period on the associated proposed listing rule is not being extended and closes on June 9, 2014.