[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3129]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 10, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Saltwater Crocodile 
(Crocodylus porosus) in the Republic of Palau 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 
saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus) in the Republic of Palau. The 
population of this species within this Pacific archipelago is estimated 
at 150 animals.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before April 11, 1994 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, P.O. Box 50167, 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850 (Building address: 300 Ala Moana Blvd., room 
6307, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813) (phone 808/541-2749); and the Palau 
Bureau of Natural Resources and Development, Ministry of Resources and 
Development, P.O. Box 117, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940 (phone 680/
488-1475). Requests for copies of the draft recovery plan and written 
comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to 
regarding the plan should be addressed to Robert P. Smith, Field 
Supervisor of the Pacific Islands Office, at the Honolulu address given 
above. Comments and materials received are available upon request for 
public inspection and by appointment during normal business hours at 
the above Honolulu address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen W. Rosa, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, 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 
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 and affiliated nations. 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 as amended in 1988 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 species being considered in this recovery plan is Crocodylus 
porosus. The population addressed in this plan is located in the 
Republic of Palau. C. porosus has been severely depleted throughout its 
range, and the Palau population is presently estimated at 150 animals. 
Foremost among the threats facing this crocodile are the hunting of 
wild populations for skins and meat and loss of habitat. Another 
limiting factor is the taking of live animals for local exhibition. The 
crocodile is not protected under Palauan law.
    Recovery efforts will focus on the establishment and management of 
three protected areas, securing of illegally-held captive crocodiles, 
enforcement of U.S. laws and development and enforcement of Palauan 
laws to protect the species throughout Palau, and initiation of 
research and public education programs.

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 these plans.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

    Dated: January 24, 1994.
Marvin L. Plenert,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1.
[FR Doc. 94-3129 Filed 2-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M