The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the public comment period on our (January 25th, 2022) proposed rule to list the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas anicia cloudcrofti) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly is a small subspecies of butterfly that is only found in the Sacramento Mountains in Otero County, New Mexico. Documents associated with this proposal are available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2021–0069, or by contacting the New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113; telephone 505-346-2525. Public comments must be received by March 28th, 2022.

Observer: January 30, 2022