Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Special Regulations for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse

The Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended, on May 13, 1998 (63 FR 26517). At the time the Preble's was listed, a special rule for the conservation of the Preble's was not promulgated; therefore, virtually all of the restrictions under section 9 of the Act became applicable to the species. A proposed special rule was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 1998 (63 FR 66777). This special rule is finalized in a modified form that includes some but not all of the provisions previously proposed. The rule establishes protective regulations pursuant to section 9 of the Act. Its duration is 36 months, during which time more comprehensive recovery approaches will be pursued.