[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 29, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 44899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21422]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan
for the Yellow-Shouldered Blackbird 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 revised recovery plan for the
yellow-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus). At present, the
species is restricted to a few localities in southwestern, southern and
eastern Puerto Rico, and to Mona and Monito Islands. Nesting yellow-
shouldered blackbirds use a variety of habitats: mud flats and salinas,
mangrove forests and cays, coastal upland dry forest, palm trees,
suburban areas, artificial structures and coastal cliffs. The species
is threatened by shiny-cowbird parasitism, habitat destruction and
modification, nest predation, parasitism and diseases. 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 October 30, 1995, 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 the yellow-shouldered blackbird,
which is endemic to the island of Puerto Rico. This species is endemic
to Puerto Rico and Mona Island. In the past, this species was
considered abundant and widespread in Puerto Rico. At present, the
species is restricted to a few localities in southwestern, southern and
eastern Puerto Rico, and to Mona and Monito Islands. A maximum of 500
individuals have been reported from southwestern Puerto Rico.
Approximately 400 individuals are known from Mona Island, 20
individuals have been sighted in Salinas, and one individual was
sighted in Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. Nesting yellow-shouldered
blackbirds use a variety of habitats: mud flats and salinas, mangrove
forests and cays, coastal upland dry forest, palm trees, suburban
areas, artificial structures and coastal cliffs. The species is
threatened by shiny-cowbird parasitism, habitat destruction and
modification, nest predation, parasitism and diseases.
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: August 18, 1995.
Susan Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 95-21422 Filed 8-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
