[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 113 (Friday, June 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32237-32238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15646]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of the Technical/Agency Draft Recovery
Plan for Helianthus eggertii (Eggert's Sunflower) 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 announces the availability
for public review of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for
Eggert's sunflower. Eggert's sunflower (Helianthus eggertii) is a
perennial herb that grows in the barrens of Alabama, Kentucky, and
Tennessee. 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 August 11, 1998, to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting the Field Supervisor. Asheville Field Office, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North
Carolina 28801 (Telephone 828/258-3939). 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:
Mr. J. Allen Ratzlaff at the address and telephone number (Ext. 229)
shown above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Restoring endangered or threatened animals or 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
[[Page 32238]]
considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish
criteria for recognizing the recovery levels for downlisting or
delisting them, and estimate time and cost for implementing the
recovery measures needed.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, 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 a 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.
Based upon available information concerning the range, biology, and
threats to its continued survival, it is not yet possible to determine
if or when full recovery of Eggert's sunflower is possible.
Accordingly, this draft recovery plan outlines a mechanism that
provides for the protection and maintenance of all known populations,
with emphasis on determining the autecological factors necessary to
manage the species. Eggert's sunflower was officially listed as an
endangered species in 1996, primarily because of loss of habitat,
competition from invasive exotic and other competitive plants, fire
suppression, and other detrimental impacts that result from site
disturbance. Comments and information provided during this review will
be used in preparing the final recovery plan.
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 the plan.
Authority
The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
Dated: June 2, 1998.
Brian P. Cole,
State Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 98-15646 Filed 6-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
