[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 183 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49337-49338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24038]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan
for Aurodendron Pauciflorum and Myrcia Paganii 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 Aurodendron
pauciflorum and Myrcia paganii (no common names). Aurodendron
pauciflorum is an evergreen shrub or small tree known from the semi-
evergreen forests of the limestone hills of Isabela in northwestern
Puerto Rico. Only 10 individual plants are known from the edges of
these cliffs. Myrcia paganii is an evergreen tree which may reach 9
meters in height, known from only 8 individuals at three locations in
the limestone hills of northwestern Puerto Rico. Both species are
threatened by rural, urban and tourist development. 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. Susan Silander, Boqueron Field Office, P.O.
Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622. Comments and materials received
are available upon request for public inspection, by appointment,
during normal business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Susan Silander, Boqueron Field Office, P.O. Box 491, Boqueron,
Puerto Rico 00622, Telephone: 809/851-7297.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Restoring an endangered or threatened species 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
[[Page 49338]]
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 Aurodendron pauciflorum and
Myrcia paganii. Aurodendron pauciflorum is an evergreen shrub or small
tree which may reach up to 5 meters in height. Leaves are opposite or
subopposite, ovate-elliptic, 6 to 15 centimeters long and 3.5 to 6
centimeters wide, with minute black glandular dots. The fruit is
unknown at the present time. The species known from the semi-evergreen
forests of the limestone hills of Isabela in northwestern Puerto Rico.
Only 10 individual plants are known from the edges of these cliffs.
Myrcia paganii is an evergreen tree which may reach 9 meters in height
and 13 centimeters in diameter. The bark is mottled and flaky and the
inner bark is orange-brown. Leaves are opposite, simple, coriaceous,
aromatic and glandular punctate below. M. paganii is known from only 8
individuals at three locations in the limestone hills of northwestern
Puerto Rico. Both species are threatened by rural, urban and tourist
development in this limestone hill region of Puerto Rico. This plan
will describe measures necessary to recover the species, including
studies of its reproductive biology and propagation.
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. 1531.
Dated: September 12, 1996.
Susan R. Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-24038 Filed 9-18-96; 8:45 am]
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