[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9195-9196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5348]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Rare Species of
Soldier Meadows 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
threatened desert dace, Eremichthys acros, and the category 1 candidate
Soldier Meadows cinquefoil, Potentilla basaltica. These species are
endemic to Soldier Meadows, Humboldt County, Nevada. 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 May 6, 1996, to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting the State Supervisor, Nevada State Office, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 4600 Kietzke Lane, Building C-125, Reno,
Nevada, 89502-5093 (Phone: 702-784-5227). Written comments and
materials regarding the plan should be sent to Mr. Carlos H. Mendoza,
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:
Ms. Selena Werdon at the above address and telephone number.
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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
(Service) 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 reclassification or delisting, and estimate time
and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (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 recovery plans.
Desert dace are endemic to Soldier Meadows, located in western
Humboldt County, Nevada. The species occupies 10 thermal spring systems
and approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of spring outflow stream
habitat. No recent population estimate is available, but the species is
considered to be relatively abundant in some spring systems. Threats to
the species when listed included habitat modifications due to
agricultural diversions, potential geothermal and/or mineral
development; and introductions of nonnative fishes; and parasites.
Potential threats include trampling and overgrazing by livestock and
wild horses and burros, and increasing recreational use of the species'
habitat. Recovery efforts will focus on restoring historical habitat in
one spring outflow, monitoring population stability and health, and
eliminating threats from ongoing habitat modification and sympatric
nonnative species. Habitat for desert dace is currently public land
administered by the Bureau of Land Management and private land under a
conservation easement.
Soldier Meadows cinquefoil are also endemic to Soldier Meadows,
although one additional population occurs in Ash Valley, Lassen County,
California. In Soldier Meadows, the species occupies alkali meadow,
seep, and marsh habitats bordering thermal springs, outflow streams,
and depressions. Soldier Meadows contains 10 subpopulations of the
cinquefoil. An estimated 84,650 individual plants are distributed on
approximately 28 hectares (69 acres). Threats to the species include
habitat
[[Page 9196]]
modifications due to agricultural diversions, trampling and overgrazing
by livestock and wild horses and burros, and recreational use; and
competing nonnative plants. Conservation efforts will focus on
eliminating threats from ongoing habitat modification and invading
nonnative plants, and monitoring population stability and health.
Habitat for Soldier Meadows cinquefoil in Soldier Meadows is currently
public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and private
land under a conservation easement.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service solicits written comments on the Recovery Plan for the
Rare Species of Soldier Meadows. 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: February 22, 1996.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 96-5348 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
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