[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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