[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51122-51123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25838]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for Two Insects and Four
Plants From the Santa Cruz Mountains 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 Two Insects
and Four Plants from the Santa Cruz Mountains. The two insects and four
plants occur on sandy soils in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz
County, California.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by December 29,
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 location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road,
Suite B, Ventura, California 93003 (phone: 805/644-1766). Requests for
copies of the draft recovery plan and written comments and materials
regarding this plan should be addressed to, Ms. Diane K. Noda, Field
Supervisor, at the above Ventura address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Rutherford, Botanist, at the
above Ventura address.
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 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
the 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, 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 requires that public notice and an
opportunity for public review and comment be provided during recovery
plan development. The Service will consider all information presented
during the public comment period prior to approval of each new or
revised recovery plan. Substantive technical comments will result in
changes to the plans. Substantive comments regarding recovery plan
implementation may not necessarily result in changes to the recovery
plans, 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 two insects and three of the four plants addressed in this
recovery plan are listed as endangered. The fourth plant (Scotts Valley
polygonum) is a species of concern to the Service.
The Mount Hermon June beetle (Polyphylla barbata) is known from 28
collection sites in the area generally bounded by Ben Lomond, Mount
Hermon, and Scotts Valley. Populations receiving some protection occur
on Quail Hollow Ranch. The remaining populations occur on private land.
The Zayante band-winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis infantilis) is
known from 10 collection sites in the area generally bounded by Ben
Lomond, Mount Hermon, and Mission Springs. All populations occur on
private land.
Ben Lomond spineflower (Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana) is
known from 21 populations; most occur between Ben Lomond, Mount Hermon,
and Glenwood. Outlying populations are located near Bonny Doon, Boulder
Creek, and Big Basin State Park. Populations receiving some protection
occur on Bonny Doon Ecologic Preserve, Quail Hollow Ranch, and Big
Basin State Park. The remaining populations are found on private land.
Scotts Valley spineflower (Chorizanthe robusta var. hartwegii) is
known from three sites on private land north of Scotts Valley.
Ben Lomond wallflower (Erysimum teretifolium) is known from 15
[[Page 51123]]
populations; most occur between Ben Lomond, Mount Hermon, and Glenwood.
Outlying populations are located near Bonny Doon. Populations receiving
some protection occur on Bonny Doon Ecologic Preserve and Quail Hollow
Ranch. The remaining populations are found on private land.
Scotts Valley polygonum (Polygonum hickmanii) is known from four
colonies north of Scotts Valley, all of which occur in the same general
area as Chorizanthe robusta var. hartwegii.
These taxa are variously threatened by one or more of the
following: sand mining, urban development, agricultural conversion,
equestrian use, recreational activities, alteration in fire cycles, and
competition with nonnatives vegetation. For the two insect taxa,
collection and pesticide use are recognized as potential threats. In
addition, the very low numbers of individuals and populations of some
of these taxa put them at great risk of extinction due to random
naturally occurring events.
The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the
recovery of the two insects and the four plants so that protection by
the Act is no longer necessary. Actions necessary to accomplish this
objective include: protecting species habitats through acquisition,
conservation easements, and Habitat Conservation Plans; managing
species habitats; conducting management-oriented research on the
ecology and biology of the species; reviewing and revising management
and recovery guidelines; and locating additional populations.
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 final 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.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-25838 Filed 9-29-97; 8:45 am]
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