97-20484. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife: Draft Recovery Plan for Shortnose Sturgeon

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 41951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20484]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 071497C]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife: Draft Recovery Plan for 
Shortnose Sturgeon

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is announcing the availability of the draft recovery plan 
for shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum). NMFS is soliciting 
review and comment from the public on the draft plan, and will consider 
these comments in the approval of a final recovery plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before September 3, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Request a copy of the draft recovery plan from Mary 
Colligan, Habitat and Protected Resources Division, NMFS, One Blackburn 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Written comments and materials regarding 
the plan should also be directed to Mary Colligan at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Colligan at 508-281-9116.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum, is an endangered 
fish species that occurs in large coastal rivers of eastern North 
America. It inhabits 18 rivers ranging from the Saint John River in New 
Brunswick, Canada to the St. Johns River, Fl. The Endangered Species 
Act (ESA) requires NMFS to develop and implement recovery plans for 
most species that are listed under the ESA as threatened or endangered 
and that are under the jurisdiction of NMFS. In May 1997, the Shortnose 
Sturgeon Recovery Team submitted its final draft of the recovery plan 
to NMFS.
    The draft recovery plan includes a synopsis of the biology and 
distribution of shortnose sturgeon, a description of factors affecting 
species recovery, an outline of actions needed to recover the species 
and an implmentation schedule for completing specific recovery tasks.

Public Comments Solicited

    NMFS intends that the final recovery plan will take advantage of 
information and recommendations from all interested parties. Therefore, 
comments and suggestions are solicited from the public, other concerned 
governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, and any 
other person concerned with the draft recovery plan.

    Dated: July 30, 1997.
Patricia A. Montanio,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20484 Filed 8-1-97; 8:45 am]
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