97-25423. Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse laperouse) for Review and Comment  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 50398-50399]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-25423]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
    
    Fish and Wildlife Service
    
    
    Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Micronesian megapode 
    (Megapodius laperouse laperouse) 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 (Service) announces the 
    availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the 
    Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse laperouse). This species is 
    known only from the Mariana islands and is currently limited to 10 
    islands in this archipelago with a total population of 1,000 to 1,500 
    individuals.
    
    DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by December 24, 
    1997 will be considered by the Service.
    
    ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft recovery plan are available for 
    inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
    following locations: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands 
    Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, room 6307, P.O. Box 50167, Honolulu, 
    Hawaii 96850 (phone: 808/541-2749); the Northern Marianas College 
    Library, P.O. Box 1250, Asterlaje Campus, Saipan, MP 96950 (phone: 670/
    234-5498, extension 1121/2); and University of Guam, RFK Memorial 
    Library, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam 96923 (phone: 671/734-9412). 
    Requests for copies of the draft recovery plan and written comments and 
    materials regarding the plan should be addressed to Brooks Harper, 
    Field Supervisor-Ecological Services of the Pacific Islands Office at 
    the Honolulu address given above.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Lusk, Fish and Wildlife 
    Biologist, Recovery Branch, at the Honolulu address given above.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point 
    where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystem 
    is a primary goal of the 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, its 
    Territories and Commonwealths. Recovery plans describe actions 
    considered necessary for conservation of the species, criteria for 
    recognizing the recovery levels for downlisting or
    
    [[Page 50399]]
    
    delisting them, and initial estimates of times and costs to implement 
    the recovery measures needed.
        The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
    seq.) (Act), 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 a public notice and an opportunity for public review and 
    comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service will 
    consider all information presented during a public comment period prior 
    to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. Substantive technical 
    comments will result in changes to the plan.
        Substantive comments regarding recovery plan implementation may not 
    necessarily result in changes to the recovery plan, but will be 
    forwarded to appropriate Federal or other entities so that they can 
    take these comments into account during the course of implementing 
    recovery actions. Individualized responses to comments will not be 
    provided.
        The species being considered in this recovery plan is the 
    Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse laperouse). This forest bird 
    was historically widespread throughout the Mariana islands archipelago 
    and found on all the islands except Farrallon de Medinilla. The 
    extinction of birds in Micronesia began 2000 to 4000 years ago with the 
    arrival of aboriginal man. These human populations altered vegetation, 
    introduced predatory Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans), hunted adult 
    birds and gathered eggs. Decline in bird numbers continued with the 
    arrival of Europeans in the 16th century who brought domestic livestock 
    that caused widespread damage to native forests. At this time, 
    predatory black (R. rattus) and Norway (R. norwegicus) rats were also 
    introduced. Large areas were converted to agriculture during the German 
    (1899-1917) and Japanese (1917-1944) occupations and native forest were 
    further damaged during World War II battles. These factors, along with 
    the appearance of other exotic competitors and predators, such as the 
    brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), have led to reduction or 
    extirpation of megapode populations from most of the Mariana Islands. 
    Small remnant populations persist on Aguiguan, Tinian, and Saipan, 
    while larger populations persist on Anatahan, Guguan, Sarigan, 
    Alamagan, Pagan, Ascuion, and Maug. Habitat loss and exotic predators, 
    such as the brown tree snake, continue to be the greatest threats to 
    the survival of the Micronesian megapode.
        The Micronesian megapode is currently represented by populations on 
    ten islands with a total estimate of 1,000 to 1,500 birds. The areas of 
    emphasis for recovery actions are the ten islands with existing 
    populations. In addition, the recovery plan recommends reintroduction 
    of the species onto the islands of Agrihan and/or Rota.
        The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the 
    recovery of this species so that protection by the Act is no longer 
    necessary. Recovery efforts will focus on protection of all extant 
    individuals from habitat loss, control of introduced competitors and 
    predators, and preventing the spread of the brown tree snake. Further 
    research on the reproductive ecology, territory size and habitat use, 
    nesting requirements, demographics, and the impacts of predation and 
    hunting is needed to ensure the long-term survival of the megapode. 
    Recovery efforts will include augmenting existing populations and 
    reestablishment of the species in protected areas throughout its former 
    range.
    
    Public Comments Solicited
    
        The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan 
    described. All comments received by the data specified above will be 
    considered prior to approval of this plan.
    
    Authority
    
        The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
    Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
    
        Dated: September 18, 1997.
    Mike Spear,
    Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
    [FR Doc. 97-25423 Filed 9-24-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
09/25/1997
Department:
Fish and Wildlife Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of document availability.
Document Number:
97-25423
Dates:
Comments on the draft recovery plan received by December 24, 1997 will be considered by the Service.
Pages:
50398-50399 (2 pages)
PDF File:
97-25423.pdf