The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) recently announced (pdf) the reopening of the public comment periods for its January 11, 2013 proposed rules to list the Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to designate approximately 1.7 million acres of critical habitat for the species in Colorado and Utah. The Service also announced that it was rescheduling two public information sessions and public hearings for the proposed rules, as well as adding a third public informational session and public hearing. These hearings will be held November 19-21, 2013 in Colorado and Utah. The public can submit comments on the proposed rules through December 2, 2013.

As we previously reported, on March 13, 2013, the Service previously extended the comment periods for the proposed rules. The prior extension was the result of several requests to extend the 60-day comment period to ensure that the public had an adequate opportunity to review and comment on the proposed rules.