[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3129]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 10, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Saltwater Crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus) in the Republic of Palau for Review and Comment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the
saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus) in the Republic of Palau. The
population of this species within this Pacific archipelago is estimated
at 150 animals.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or
before April 11, 1994 to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft recovery plan are available for
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the
following locations: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 50167,
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850 (Building address: 300 Ala Moana Blvd., room
6307, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813) (phone 808/541-2749); and the Palau
Bureau of Natural Resources and Development, Ministry of Resources and
Development, P.O. Box 117, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940 (phone 680/
488-1475). Requests for copies of the draft recovery plan and written
comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to
regarding the plan should be addressed to Robert P. Smith, Field
Supervisor of the Pacific Islands Office, at the Honolulu address given
above. Comments and materials received are available upon request for
public inspection and by appointment during normal business hours at
the above Honolulu address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen W. Rosa, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the Honolulu address
given above.
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 and affiliated nations. Recovery plans describe actions
considered necessary for the conservation of the species, establish
criteria for the recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and
estimate time and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
The Endangered Species Act, 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
public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment be
provided during recovery plan development. The Service will consider
all information presented during the public comment period prior to
approval of each new or revised Recovery Plan. Substantive technical
comments will result in changes to the plans. Substantive comments
regarding recovery plan implementation may not necessarily result in
changes to the recovery plans, but will be forwarded to appropriate
Federal or other entities so that they can take these comments into
account during the course of implementing recovery actions.
Individualized responses to comments will not be provided.
The species being considered in this recovery plan is Crocodylus
porosus. The population addressed in this plan is located in the
Republic of Palau. C. porosus has been severely depleted throughout its
range, and the Palau population is presently estimated at 150 animals.
Foremost among the threats facing this crocodile are the hunting of
wild populations for skins and meat and loss of habitat. Another
limiting factor is the taking of live animals for local exhibition. The
crocodile is not protected under Palauan law.
Recovery efforts will focus on the establishment and management of
three protected areas, securing of illegally-held captive crocodiles,
enforcement of U.S. laws and development and enforcement of Palauan
laws to protect the species throughout Palau, and initiation of
research and public education programs.
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 these plans.
Authority
The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
Dated: January 24, 1994.
Marvin L. Plenert,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1.
[FR Doc. 94-3129 Filed 2-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
