FWS re-opened the comment period for an additional 15 days... this could be one bad critter for our desert fun so they need all the information we can give them. You don't have to give a scientific opinion, just write and make your comment. Science is great, but these guys are also want to know if the habitat of the beast has changed... let them know if and when you have or have not seen this little guy running around where you recreate. Or just write and tell them you expect them to continue on the path they've been on, which denied the original petition to list the FTHL, since there are no indications that the FTHL needs to be protected (or something like that anyway)

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office
2730 Loker Avenue West
Carlsbad, California 92008
Phone: 760/431-9440
Fax: 760/431-9624

(SC-AZ)
02-108

Contact: Jane Hendron, Andy Yuen, or Douglas Krofta
(Carlsbad,
California) - 760/431-9440
Jeff Humphrey or Jim Rorabaugh (Phoenix,
Arizona) -
602/242-0210

September 24, 2002

SERVICE REOPENS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON
PROPOSED LISTING OF THE FLAT-TAILED HORNED LIZARD

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it is reopening an additional 15-day comment period on its reinstatement of a 1993
proposal to list the flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The comment period is being reopened until 5:00 p.m. on October 9, 2002, to solicit peer review of the Service's 1993 proposed rule and
subsequent decision to withdraw the proposal, and to accept any additional information regarding the species' status, distribution, and ongoing conservation efforts.

We published a notice in the Federal Register on December 26, 2001, reinstating the 1993 proposal to list the species pursuant to the ESA and opening a 120-day comment period. A second comment period was opened from May 30, 2002 to July 29, 2002. Public hearings on the reinstatement of the proposed rule were held on June 19, 2002.

"It is our intent to ensure that we use the best available science in reaching a final listing decision for the flat-tailed horned lizard and that includes providing for peer review of our proposal from independent
experts," said Steve Thompson, Manager of the Service's California/Nevada Operations Office.

Comments and information previously submitted during one of the comment periods need not be resubmitted as they have been incorporated
into the public record and will be fully considered in making a final listing
decision.

The flat-tailed horned lizard is a small desert reptile that inhabits portions of the Sonoran Desert in southern California, Arizona, and northern Mexico. A typical flat-tailed horned lizard measures approximately 3.3 inches from snout to vent, and has two rows of fringed scales on either side of the body with a dark stripe along its backbone. Flat-tailed horned lizards feed primarily on native harvester ants, consuming 150-200 ants per day.

Written comments, data, and information about this proposal received by the Service by 5:00 p.m. on October 9, 2002, will be considered in any final listing determination. All comments and materials should be sent to Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008.

Comments may also be submitted by electronic mail to fthl@r1.fws.gov.
Please submit electronic comments in ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters and encryption. Please include your name and return address in the e-mail message. If you do not receive a confirmation from the system that your e-mail message was received, contact the Service directly by calling the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at 760/431-9440.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses nearly 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird
populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife
habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that
distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

- FWS -

[ 09-25-2002, 07:41 AM: Message edited by: SailAway ]