[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16344]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 7, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for Puerto
Rican Endangered Ferns 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 announces availability for
public review of a technical/agency draft recovery plan for Puerto
Rican endangered ferns. They occur in the limestone or karst region of
northwestern Puerto Rico and in the central mountains. Deforestation
and fragmentation of habitat may have restricted these species to their
present locations. The Service solicits review and comments from the
public on this draft plan.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or
before (September 6, 1994) to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting Ms. Marelisa Rivera, Caribbean Field Office, P.O.
Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622. 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. Marelisa Rivera, Caribbean Field Office, P.O. Box 491, Boqueron,
P.R. 00622, Tel. 809-851-7297.
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 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, establish them, 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 and
other Federal agencies will also take these comments into account in
the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
This Technical/Agency Draft is for seven Puerto Rican endangered
ferns, all endemic to the island of Puerto Rico. These ferns are
currently restricted to one, two or three locations each. Adiantum
vivesii, Tectaria estremerana and Thelypteris verecunda are found in
the limestone or karst region of northwestern Puerto Rico. Adiantum
vivesii and Tectaria estremerana are only known from one locality each
in Quebradillas and Arecibo, respectively. Thelypteris verecunda is
known from Quebradillas, Hatillo and San Sebastian. Elaphoglossum
serpens, Polystichum calderonense, Thelypteris inabonensis, and
Thelypteris yaucoensis are found in the mountains of the central region
of Puerto Rico. Elaphoglossum serpens and Thelypteris inabonensis are
known from the Toro Negro commonwealth Forest and Polystichum
calderonense is known from Monte Guilarte Commonwealth Forest.
Thelypteris yaucoensis is known from Yauco and Ciales. The seven
species face extinction due to the extreme rarity and restricted
distribution, habitat destruction and modification, forest management
practices, hurricane damage and possible collection.
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 24, 1994.
Susan Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor, Caribbean Field Office, Puerto Rico.
[FR Doc. 94-16344 Filed 7-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
