[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 2997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1232]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of the Technical/Agency Draft Recovery
Plan for the Spruce-Fir Moss Spider for Review and Comment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Document availability and public comment period.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the
availability for public review of the technical/agency draft recovery
plan for the spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga).
Historically, at least five different mountain peaks in the Southern
Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee
are known to have supported populations of the spruce-fir moss spider.
Today, however, only two small relict populations of the spider are
known to survive--one on Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and one
on Mount LeConte in Tennessee. The typical habitat of the spruce-fir
moss spider is found in well-drained moss mats growing on rocks and
boulders in well-shaded situations in mature high-elevation conifer
forests dominated by Fraser fir (Abier fraseri) and scattered red
spruce (Picea rubens). These factors are deteriorating rapidly,
primarily due to infestation and the resulting mortality of the fir by
the balsam woolly adelgid (an exotic insect pest) and possibly air
population and other factors now yet fully understood. The spider
requires situations of high and constant humidity, and the loss of
forest canopy, leading to increased light and decreased moisture on the
forest floor (resulting in desiccation of the moss mats), appears to be
the major threat to its continued existence. Unless new populations are
found or reestablished and existing population are maintained, this
species will remain in jeopardy of extinction for the foreseeable
future. The Service solicits review and comments from the public on
this draft plan.
DATES: Comments on this technical/agency draft recovery plan must be
received on or before March 23, 1998 to receive consideration by the
Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the technical/agency draft
recovery plan may obtain a copy by contacting the Asheville Field
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville,
North Carolina 28801 (Telephone 704/258-3939). Written comments and
materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the Field
Supervisor at the above address. Comments and materials received are
available on request for public inspection, by appointment, during
normal business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Fridell, Fish and Wildlife
Biologist, at the address and telephone number shown in the Addresses
section (Ext. 225).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their
ecosystems is a primary goal of the Service's endangered species
program. To help guide the recovery effort, the Service is working to
prepare recovery plans for most of the listed species native to the
United States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for
the conservation of the species, establish criteria for recognizing the
recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and estimate time
and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.) (Act), requires the development of recovery plans for listed
species unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a
particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended in 1988,
requires that a public notice and an opportunity for public review and
comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service will
consider all information presented during a public comment period prior
to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other
Federal agencies will also take these comments into account in the
course of implementing approved recovery plans.
The primary species considered in this draft recovery plan is the
spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga). The area of emphasis
for recovery actions includes the Southern Appalachian Mountains of
western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Habitat protection,
reintroduction, and the preservation of genetic material are the major
objectives of this recovery plan.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan
described. All comments received by the date specified above will be
considered prior to approval of the final plan.
Authority
The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
Dated: January 6, 1998.
Brian P. Cole,
State Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 98-1232 Filed 1-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
