[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 5813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2678]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice to Extend the Public Comment Period for the Draft Recovery
Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of public comment period.
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SUMMARY: The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice that the
comment period announced in the September 30, 1997, notice of
availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San
Joaquin Valley, California, will be extended an additional 60 days
until March 29, 1998. The Service experienced difficulty in
distributing copies of the draft plan. This recovery plan includes 34
species, of which 11 species are federally listed as endangered or
threatened. The draft plan includes recovery criteria and measures for
the plants--California jewelflower (Caulanthus californicus), palmate-
bracted bird's-beak (Cordylanthus palmatus), Kern mallow (Eremalche
kernensis), Hoover's woolly-star (Eriastrum hooveri), San Joaquin
woolly-threads (Lembertia congdonii), Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia
basilaris var. treleasei); and the animals--giant kangaroo rat
(Dipodomys ingens), Fresno kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides exilis),
Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), blunt-nosed
leopard lizard (Gambelia sila), and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes
macrotis mutica). Long-term conservation of three candidate species,
the Buena Vista Lake shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus), the riparian brush
rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius), and riparian woodrat (Neotoma
fuscipes riparia); and an additional 20 species of plants and animals
of concern to the Service are addressed in the draft recovery plan. The
Service extends the current 120-day comment period and solicits review
and comment from the public on this draft plan.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by March 29, 1998
will be considered by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, 3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 130, Sacramento,
California 95821-6340. Telephone requests may be made by calling 916/
979-2725.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Miller at the above address and
telephone number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant 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
prepares recovery plans for most of the listed species native to the
United States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for
conservation of the species, establish criteria for the recovery levels
necessary to reclassify them from endangered to threatened or remove
them from the list, and estimate the time and cost for implementing
needed recovery measures.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) requires development of recovery plans for listed species
unless such a plan would not promote 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 take these comments into account in the course of
implementing approved recovery plans.
The 34 species of plants and animals covered in the draft recovery
plan are restricted primarily to the San Joaquin Valley of California.
The majority of the species occur in arid grasslands and scrublands of
the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent foothills and valleys. The riparian
woodrat and riparian brush rabbit inhabit forested river corridors of
the eastern San Joaquin Valley. Conversion of habitat to agricultural,
industrial, and urban uses has eliminated the listed candidate, and
species of concern from the majority of their historic ranges. The
remaining natural communities are highly fragmented, and many are
marginal habitats in which these species may not persist during
catastrophic events, such as fire or drought.
The objectives of this recovery plan are two-fold: (1) To delist
the plants--California jewelflower, palmate-bracted bird's-beak, Kern
mallow, Hoover's woolly-star, San Joaquin woolly-threads, Bakersfield
cactus; and the animals--giant kangaroo rat, Fresno kangaroo rat,
Tipton kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and San Joaquin kit
fox by protecting, enhancing, restoring, and appropriately managing
their habitat; and (2) to ensure the long-term conservation of the
three candidates and additional 20 species of concern by protecting,
enhancing, restoring, and appropriately managing their habitat.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan
described herein. All comments received by the date specified above
will be considered prior to 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: January 26, 1998.
David L. McMullen,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 98-2678 Filed 2-3-98; 8:45 am]
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