[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 185 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49989-49990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25335]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan
for Gesneria Pauciflora 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 Gesneria
pauciflora (no common name). This small shrub, designated as
threatened, is endemic to Puerto Rico. Only three populations are known
to occur in the western mountains of Puerto Rico. The species is
threatened by natural disasters and the modification of its highly
restricted habitat. 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 24, 1997 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.
[[Page 49990]]
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 Gesneria pauciflora (no common
name), a small gregarious shrub which is currently known from only
three populations in the western mountains of Puerto Rico. These occur
in the municipalities of Maricao and Sabana Grande. Population
estimates are difficult due to the plant's habit of growing in dense
mats. At all known localities the species is found growing in rocky
stream beds on wet serpentine rock, where water is constantly seeping.
The species is threatened by the occurrence of natural disasters and
the modification of its highly restricted habitat. The largest
population is located in an area of steep unstable slopes and may be
threatened by landslides and flood damage. Forest management practices
such as trail maintenance may also adversely affect the species. 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 17, 1997.
Susan R. Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 97-25335 Filed 9-23-97; 8:45 am]
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