[Federal Register: January 31, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 21)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5784-5785]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31ja08-29]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 16
[FWS-R9-FHC-2008-0015; 94410-1342-0000-N3]
RIN 1018-AV68
Injurious Wildlife Species; Review of Information Concerning
Constrictor Snakes From Python, Boa, and Eunectes genera
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of inquiry.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or We), are
reviewing available biological and economic information on constrictor
snakes in the Python, Boa and Eunectes genera for possible addition to
the list of injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act. The importation and
introduction of constrictor snakes into the natural ecosystems of the
United States may
[[Page 5785]]
pose a threat to the interests of agriculture, horticulture, forestry;
to the health and welfare of human beings; and to the welfare and
survival of wildlife and wildlife resources in the United States. An
injurious wildlife listing would prohibit the importation into, or
transportation between, States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the
United States by any means, without a permit. Permits may be issued for
scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes. This document
seeks comments from the public to aid in determining if a proposed rule
is warranted.
DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before
April 30, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal:
http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: RIN 1018-AV68, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 222,
Arlington, VA 22203.
Instructions: We will not accept e-mail or faxes. We will post all
comments on
http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we
will post any personal information you provide us (see the Public
Comments section below for more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Williams, Branch of Invasive
Species at (703) 358-2034 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 21, 2006, we received a
petition from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
requesting that Burmese pythons be considered for inclusion in the
injurious wildlife regulations pursuant to the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C.
42). SFWMD is concerned about the number of Burmese pythons found in
Florida, particularly in the Everglades National Park. We are looking
at obtaining information on constrictor species in the Python, Boa and
Eunectes genera for possible addition to the injurious wildlife list
under the Lacey Act.
The regulations contained in 50 CFR part 16 implement the Lacey
Act, as amended. Under the terms of the injurious wildlife provisions
of the Lacey Act, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to
prohibit the importation and interstate transportation of species
designated by the Secretary as injurious. Injurious wildlife are those
species, offspring, and eggs that are injurious or potentially
injurious to wildlife and wildlife resources, to human beings, and to
the interests of forestry, horticulture, or agriculture of the United
States. Wild mammals, wild birds, fish, mollusks, crustaceans,
amphibians, and reptiles are the only organisms that can be added to
the injurious wildlife list. The lists of injurious wildlife are at 50
CFR 16.11-16.15. If the process initiated by this notice results in the
addition of a species to the list of injurious wildlife contained in 50
CFR part 16, their importation into or transportation between States,
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any
territory or possession of the United States would be prohibited,
except by permit for zoological, educational, medical, or scientific
purposes (in accordance with permit regulations at 50 CFR 16.22), or by
Federal agencies without a permit solely for their own use.
Public Comments
This notice of inquiry solicits biological, economic, or other data
on adding species in the Python, Boa and Eunectes genera to the list of
injurious wildlife. This information, along with other sources of data,
will be used to determine if these species are a threat, or potential
threat, to those interests of the United States delineated above, and
thus warrant addition to the list of injurious reptiles in 50 CFR
16.15.
You may submit your comments and materials concerning this notice
of inquiry by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We
will not accept comments sent by e-mail or fax or to an address not
listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not accept anonymous comments;
your comment must include your first and last name, city, State,
country, and postal (zip) code. Finally, we will not consider hand-
delivered comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are
not postmarked, by the date specified in the DATES section.
We will post your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--on
http://www.regulations.gov. If you provide
personal identifying information in addition to the required items
specified in the previous paragraph, such as your street address, phone
number, or e-mail address, you may request at the top of your document
that we withhold this information from public review. However, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting
documentation we used in preparing this notice of inquiry, will be
available for public inspection on
http://www.regulations.gov, or by
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.
We are soliciting public comments and supporting data to gain
additional information and specifically seek comment on the following
questions:
(1) What regulations does your State have pertaining to the use,
transport, or production of Python, Boa and Eunectes genera?
(2) How many species in the Python, Boa and Eunectes genera are
currently in production for wholesale or retail sale, and in how many
and which States?
(3) How many businesses sell Python, Boa or Eunectes species?
(4) How many businesses breed Python, Boa or Eunectes species?
(5) What are the annual sales for Python, Boa or Eunectes species?
(6) Please provide the number of Python, Boa or Eunectes species,
if any, permitted within each State.
(7) What would it cost to eradicate Python, Boa or Eunectes
individuals or populations, or similar species, if found?
(8) What are the costs of implementing propagation, recovery, and
restoration programs for native species that are affected by Python,
Boa or Eunectes species, or similar snake species?
(9) What State-listed species would be impacted by the introduction
of Python, Boa or Eunectes species?
(10) What species have been impacted, and how, by Python, Boa or
Eunectes species?
Dated: January 11, 2008.
Lyle Laverty,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. E8-1770 Filed 1-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
Besides I have the impression there are lots of breeders that are far from eager to answer those questions...In MHO we know the problem is real (that of the release of large constrictors in FL). We should do something about it. But what? Do we really think that by sending letters we can change the mind of legislators? We don't have a national census of how many people keep reptiles and what's the impact in the allied industries. Those that produce large constrictors will continue to do so and will sell to those willing to buy. I'm all in favor to brainstorming for ideas but until we find hard core figures on the economic impact of the industry I doubt letters will have any effect.
But let's mention recent cases with wildlife. How many people were attacked (I don't remember how many deaths) by alligators alone last year? Those aren't introduced, they are just natives whose habitat has been shrinking due to the proximity of residential areas. The las I remember was the woman jogging...Now let's thing of a 15 feet burmese that might be hungry and waiting patiently for a prey. You probably saw the picture of the one ripped open with the alligator inside...woman jogging is eaten by alligator, large alligator is eaten by large burmese, large burmese doesn't run into any more alligators, and has to feed...what's it going to be...