95-23955. Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Louisiana Quillwort Fern for Review and Comment

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49854-49855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23955]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Louisiana 
Quillwort Fern for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

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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 
Louisiana quillwort (Isoetes louisianensis). This quillwort is only 
known from eight locations in two parishes in southeastern Louisiana 
(St. Tammany and Washington Parishes). It is restricted to sandy soils 
and gravel bars in or near shallow blackwater streams in riparian 
woodland/bayhead forest areas of pine flatwoods. All sites are located 
on private land. The Service solicits review and comment from the 
public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before November 15, 1995 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the Jackson Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A. Jackson, Mississippi 
39213. Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be 
addressed to the Field Supervisor at the above address. 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. Cary Norquist at the above address 
(601/965-4900, ext. 28).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point 
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems 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 

[[Page 49855]]
considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish 
criteria for the recovery levels for downlisting or delisting 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 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. The Service and other 
Federal agencies will also take these comments into account in the 
course of implementing approved recovery plans.
    The species considered in this draft recovery plan is the Louisiana 
quillwort (Isoetes louisianensis). This small, semi-aquatic plant is in 
a family of primitive seedless plants closely related to ferns 
(Isoetaceae). It occurs in the East Gulf Coast Physiographic Province 
in shallow, sandy blackwater streams in riparian woodland/bayhead 
forest areas included in a landscope of pine flatwoods. It is currently 
known only from St. Tammany and Washington Parishes in southeastern 
Louisiana where it occurs on private land. This species is extremely 
vulnerable because of its small population size and restricted range. 
Any activity which would affect the hydrology or stability of the 
streams in which the plant occurs, such as gravel mining and timbering 
(without the use of Best Management Practices), could potentially 
affect this species.
    The objective of this proposed plan is to delist the Louisiana 
quillwort. Delisting will be considered when 10 viable and 
geographically distinct populations from separate drainages are 
protected. Actions needed to reach this goal include: (1) Protecting 
and monitoring populations; (2) surveying for new populations; (3) 
conducting life history studies; and (4) educating the public on the 
conservation needs of this species. After consideration of comments 
received during the review period, it will be submitted for final 
approval.

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. 1533(f).

    Dated: September 21, 1995.
Linda LaClaire,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 95-23955 Filed 9-26-95; 8:45 am]
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