[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 172 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47041-47042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23585]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Western Lily 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 Western Lily Recovery Plan.
The species occurs on the Pacific Coast from Coos Bay, Oregon, to
Eureka, California.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or
before October 6, 1997 to receive consideration 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, Oregon State
Office 2600 S.E. 98th Ave., Suite 100 Portland, Oregon 97266-1398.
Requests for copies of the draft recovery plan and written comments and
materials regarding this plan should be addressed to Russell D.
Peterson, State Supervisor, at the above Oregon State Office address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Andrew F. Robinson Jr., Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above
Oregon State Office address, telephone (503) 231-6179.
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 down listing 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 as amended in 1988 requires that
public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment be
provided during recovery
[[Page 47042]]
plan development. The Service will consider all information presented
during the public comment period prior to approval of each new or
revised Recovery Plan. Substantiative 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 western lily (Lilium occidentale) is a distinctive and
spectacular species in a genus known for its striking beauty and
horticultural appeal. The range of the western lily is very limited,
and its habitat and ecosystem processes have been dramatically altered
this century. The western lily is limited to low lying poorly drained
areas along a narrow band of the Pacific Coast, no more than 4 miles
inland, from Humboldt Bay near Eureka, California on the south, north
some 200 miles to Coos Bay Oregon. Many western lily western lily
populations and much of its habitat have been lost to various forms of
development, including agricultural uses (pasture or cranberry bogs)
and infrastructure projects (roads, campgrounds, and utilities).
Western lily has been reported from approximately 58 sites, 20 of which
appear to have been extirpated.
The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the
recovery of the western lily so that its protection by the ESA is no
longer necessary. Actions necessary for the prevention of extinction of
this plant include conservation and management of existing sites, by
maintaining shrubby vegetation with openings and preventing
encroachment by trees. The plan also recommends establishment of a seed
bank and development of methods to reintroduce the plant to suitable
sites or augment existing wild populations. The plan also is intended
to encourage public awareness, understanding and participation in
western lily recovery.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service solicits written comments on the western lily recovery
plan. All comments received by the date specified above will be
considered prior to approval of these plans.
Authority
The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
Dated: August 5, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1,
Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-23585 Filed 9-4-97; 8:45 am]
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