[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 231 (Wednesday, December 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 66560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32052]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of Final Revised Sonoran Pronghorn
Recovery Plan
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability
for public review of Final Revised Sonoran Pronghorn (Antilocapra
americana sonoriensis) Recovery Plan which the Service listed as an
endangered species on March 11, 1967 (32 FR 4001). This animal's
population is estimated to be less than 300 in the United States and
less than 500 in the State of Sonora, Mexico. Distribution is limited
primarily to Sonoran desert habitats. Factors that limit population
growth are not well understood. However, loss of habitat due to drying
of extended reaches of the Gila and Sonoyta Rivers, competition from
domestic livestock, and human encroachment are believed to be limiting
factors. Illegal hunting and predation on fawns may also be limiting
factors. Although the Service considers this document to be in its
final form, the Service is interested in comments from interested
parties. The Service will consider all comments and may decide to amend
this document at a later date based upon input received and upon the
results and proceedings of a Sonoran Pronghorn Workshop to be held
tentatively during the last week of January 1999.
DATES: The Service will be open to written advice and comment on the
Final Revised Recovery Plan through January 29, 1999. Additionally, in
cooperation with the U.S. Marine Corps, the Service will co-sponsor a
Sonoran Pronghorn Workshop tentatively during the last week in January
1999. Parties interested in attending the Sonoran Pronghorn Workshop
tentatively scheduled for the last week of January 1999, should contact
Mr. Ron Pearce, Range Management Director, United States Marine Corps
Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, at (520) 341-3401.
ADDRESSES: Address requests for copies of the document, comments on the
Final Recovery Plan, or requests for more information to Laura
Thompson-Olais, Ecologist, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, 1611
North Second Avenue, Ajo, Arizona 85321.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 U.S. Fish and
Wildlife 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 conservation of the species,
criteria for recognizing the recovery levels for down-listing or de-
listing them, and initial estimates of times and costs to implement the
needed recovery measures.
Authority
The Authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) 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 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 plans. The Service may also decide to
amend the Plan if necessary.
A recovery plan for Sonoran pronghorn was approved in 1982.
Subsequent to the development of the original recovery plan, a large
group of Sonoran proghorn were documented drinking free-standing water
during the summer which verified their use of water. This and
additional new information learned about the biology and ecology of the
animal have necessitated revision of the original recovery plan.
The availability of the draft revised Sonoran pronghorn recovery
plan for review and comment was announced in the Federal Register on
September 7, 1994. The revised plan, however, was never completed and
further changes to the plan have been made since then. This notice
gives the public another opportunity for review and comment before the
final revised plan is approved.
Recovery will focus on enhancing present populations, addressing
expansion of presently used habitat, protecting present range and
establishing a new separate herd of self-sustaining animals to guard
against catastrophes decimating the core population.
Dated: November 23, 1998.
Renne Lohoefener,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 98-32052 Filed 12-1-98; 8:45 am]
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