[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 33799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16325]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Stephens'
Kangaroo Rat for Review and Comment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability for
public review of a draft recovery plan for the Stephens' kangaroo rat
(Dipodomys stephensi). The Stephens' kangaroo rat occurs on Federal,
State, local, and private lands in western Riverside County,
northwestern San Diego County, and possibly, southwestern San
Bernardino County, California. The Service solicits review and comment
from the public on this plan.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or
before August 22, 1997 to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting the Field Supervisor at the following address:
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2730
Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008. Telephone requests may
be made by calling 619/431-9440. Comments and material received are
available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business
hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arthur Davenport 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 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 considered necessary for
conservation of the species. Plans also establish criteria for the
recovery levels necessary for downlisting or delisting the species.
They also provide an estimation of time and cost of implementing the
recovery measures needed.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Amended (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, to provide an opportunity for public
review and comment, be given during plan development. The Service will
consider all significant information presented during a public comment
period prior to the approval of each new or revised Recovery Plan. The
Service and other Federal agencies also will take these comments into
account in the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
The Stephens' kangaroo rat is associated with habitats that have
low to nonexistent perennial cover, forbs, and bare ground. This
species is known to currently occur in western Riverside County and
northwestern San Diego County. The species may also still occur in
southwestern San Bernardino County. The threats to the species include
habitat loss and degradation due to invasive exotic species. Protection
and management of its habitat are the primary goals of the recovery
effort.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan
described. All significant 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 of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)).
Dated: April 23, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-16325 Filed 6-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
