Reopening of Public Comment Period for Incidental Take Permits for the Alabama Beach Mouse

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The Fish and Wildlife Service previously announced a public comment period concerning a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. 67 FR 62809 (October 8, 2002). The previous notice indicated that the comment period ended on November 22, 2002; however, the comment form distributed at the October 29, 2002, scoping meeting incorrectly indicated that the comment period ended on November 29, 2002, inadvertently extending the comment period an additional 7 days. In order to assure that all interested parties are able to comment on the preparation of an EIS, we are re-opening the comment period for 15 days. The environmental impact statement would address the proposed Gulf Highlands Area Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and issuance of two permits for the incidental take of the Alabama beach mouse. Comments previously submitted between October 8, 2002, and November 29, 2002, need not be resubmitted as they will be incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final determination on the proposal. These permits are for the construction, occupancy, use, operation, and maintenance of two residential/recreational condominium projects--the Gulf High