[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3488]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 15, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Arizona Cliffrose
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 a draft recovery plan for the Arizona
cliffrose (Purshia subintegra), which the Service listed as an
endangered species on May 29, 1984 (49 FR 22329). The plant, Arizona
cliffrose, is known only from four disjunct populations that occur on
the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert in Central Arizona. All four
populations are found within a total distance of 200 miles. The Service
solicits review and comment from the public on this draft plan.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or
before April 18, 1994 to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 3616 West
Thomas Road, suite 6, Phoenix, Arizona 85019. Written comments and
materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the State
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:
Susan Rutman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Botanist; telephone (602)
379-4720, or at the above address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Restoring an endangered or threatened plant or animal to the point
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem 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 site-specific management
actions considered necessary for conservation and survival of the
species, establish objectives and measurable criteria for the recovery
levels for downlisting or delisting species, and estimate time and cost
for implementing the recovery measures needed.
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 prior to
approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service, and other
Federal agencies, will take these comments into account in the course
of implementing approved recovery plans.
The Arizona cliffrose (Purshia subinteqra) is a rare edaphic
endemic, restricted to nutrient deficient calcareous soils in central
Arizona. The disjunct distribution of this species is unique. No other
plant species occurs only in the same four sites as the Arizona
cliffrose. Each population has unique biological/ecological
characteristics and is faced with a variety of threats. These threats
include: livestock, wildlife, and burro grazing; mineral exploration
and development; construction and maintenance of roads and utility
right-of-ways; recreation; poor reproduction; off-road vehicle use;
urbanization; pesticides; and inundation. The relative importance of
each threat varies among the four populations. The recovery plan
addresses each population as an individual recovery unit, believed
necessary for the survival and recovery of the species.
The Arizona cliffrose recovery plan has been reviewed by the
appropriate Service staff in Region 2 and selected experts on the
biology of the species. The plan will be finalized and approved
following incorporation of comments and materials received during this
comment period.
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 the approval of the plan.
Authority
The Authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533 (f).
Dated: February 2, 1994.
John G. Rogers,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-3488 Filed 2-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
