[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3488]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Arizona Cliffrose 
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 Arizona 
cliffrose (Purshia subintegra), which the Service listed as an 
endangered species on May 29, 1984 (49 FR 22329). The plant, Arizona 
cliffrose, is known only from four disjunct populations that occur on 
the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert in Central Arizona. All four 
populations are found within a total distance of 200 miles. 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 April 18, 1994 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 3616 West 
Thomas Road, suite 6, Phoenix, Arizona 85019. Written comments and 
materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the State 
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:
Susan Rutman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Botanist; telephone (602) 
379-4720, or at the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened plant or animal to the point 
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem 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 site-specific management 
actions considered necessary for conservation and survival of the 
species, establish objectives and measurable criteria for the recovery 
levels for downlisting or delisting species, 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 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 prior to 
approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service, and other 
Federal agencies, will take these comments into account in the course 
of implementing approved recovery plans.
    The Arizona cliffrose (Purshia subinteqra) is a rare edaphic 
endemic, restricted to nutrient deficient calcareous soils in central 
Arizona. The disjunct distribution of this species is unique. No other 
plant species occurs only in the same four sites as the Arizona 
cliffrose. Each population has unique biological/ecological 
characteristics and is faced with a variety of threats. These threats 
include: livestock, wildlife, and burro grazing; mineral exploration 
and development; construction and maintenance of roads and utility 
right-of-ways; recreation; poor reproduction; off-road vehicle use; 
urbanization; pesticides; and inundation. The relative importance of 
each threat varies among the four populations. The recovery plan 
addresses each population as an individual recovery unit, believed 
necessary for the survival and recovery of the species.
    The Arizona cliffrose recovery plan has been reviewed by the 
appropriate Service staff in Region 2 and selected experts on the 
biology of the species. The plan will be finalized and approved 
following incorporation of comments and materials received during this 
comment period.

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 the 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: February 2, 1994.
John G. Rogers,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-3488 Filed 2-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M