The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period for a proposal to remove the Hawaiian hawk, or 'io, from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife.

The proposed rule, if made final, would remove all protections provided under the Endangered Species Act. The 'io would remain protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a federal law that prohibits killing, selling or otherwise harming migratory birds, their nests or eggs.

Two meetings were held in January to allow for public discussion and input, and two more have been scheduled on the Big Island.

"Because of the high level of interest in this proposal, we feel it's appropriate to re-open the comment period," said Gina Shultz, acting field supervisor for the Fish and Wildlife Office in the Pacific Islands. "We encourage the public to take advantage of the upcoming hearings to voice their issues and concerns."

The first hearing will be June 30 at the Pu'ueo Community Center in Hilo, and the second July 1 at Yano Hall in Captain Cook. Both meetings are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The public comment period will be open for an additional 60 days, ending Aug. 4.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is especially interested in comments pertaining to biological, commercial trade, or other threats to the hawks; additional information on its range, distribution, and population size, including the locations of any additional populations; and current or planned activities in areas occupied by the birds and possible impacts of these activities.

Conservation efforts have enabled the 'io to maintain a stable population throughout the Big Island for at least 20 years, the agency said. It is nesting and foraging successfully in both native and altered habitats and has benefited from large areas of protected forest.

Researchers estimate the total population to be about 3,000 birds.

The Fish and Wildlife Service said the Hawaiian hawk appears not to be threatened by overutilization, disease, predation, contaminants, lack of adequate regulatory mechanisms, or other factors, and, therefore, is believed to no longer meet the definition of a threatened or endangered species throughout its range.

A copy of the proposed rule and draft post-delisting monitoring plan can be downloaded from www.fws.gov/pacificislands. Copies also are available by calling the Fish and Wildlife Service office in Honolulu at 792-9400.

Comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Comments and materials also can be mailed or hand-delivered to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: RIN 1018-AU96; Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203.