[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 183 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49336-49337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24036]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of the Puerto Rican Broad-Winged Hawk and
the Puerto Rican Sharp-Shinned Hawk Technical/Agency Draft Recovery
Plan for Review and Comments
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 the Puerto
Rican broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus brunnescens) and the Puerto
Rican sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus venator). Both species are
restricted to montane forests along the Cordillera Central, Sierra de
Cayey, and Sierra de Luquillo. Both species are currently threatened
by: Destruction and modification of forested habitat, timber harvest
and management practices in public forests; road construction; increase
in numbers of recreational facilities and the disturbance associated
with public use; mortality and habitat destruction from hurricanes; the
lack of comprehensive management plans for the public forests; possible
loss of genetic variation due to low population levels; and the
potential for illegal shooting. The Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk is
also affected by warble fly parasitism. 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 November 18, 1996 to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting Ms. Marelisa Rivera, Boqueron 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, Boqueron 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 Puerto Rican broad-winged
hawk and the Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk, which are endemic to
mountain forests in Puerto Rico. Present distribution of the Puerto
Rican broad-winged hawk includes montane habitat of three forests: Rio
Abajo Commonwealth Forest, Carite Commonwealth Forest, and the
Caribbean National Forest. Extant breeding populations of the Puerto
Rican sharp-skinned hawk are known from montane habitat of the Maricao
Commonwealth Forest, Toro Negro Commonwealth Forest, Guilarte
Commonwealth Forest, Carite Commonwealth Forest, and the Caribbean
National Forest. Overall populations of 124 broad-winged hawks and 129
sharp-shinned hawks have been estimated. The Puerto Rican broad-winged
hawk is found in the subtropical moist forest, the subtropical wet
forest, and the subtropical rain forest life zones. The Puerto Rican
sharp-shinned hawk is found in the subtropical low montane wet forest
and the subtropical wet forest life zones. Both species are currently
threatened by: Destruction and modification of forested habitat, timber
harvest and management practices in public forests; road construction;
increase in numbers of recreational facilities and the disturbance
associated with public use; mortality and habitat destruction from
hurricanes; the lack of comprehensive management plans for the public
forests; possible loss of genetic variation due to low population
levels; and the potential for illegal shooting. The Puerto Rico sharp-
shinned hawk is also affected by warble fly parasitism.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan
described. All comments received by the date specified
[[Page 49337]]
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: September 13, 1996.
Susan Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-24036 Filed 9-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
