[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6062]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Sacramento Prickly-
Poppy 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 
Sacramento prickly-poppy (Argemone pleiacantha ssp. pinnatisecta). This 
plant is known only from the Sacramento Mountains in Otero County, 
south-central New Mexico. Approximately 80 percent of the known 
population occurs on the Lincoln National Forest. 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 May 16, 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, New Mexico 
Ecological Services State Office, suite D, Albuquerque, New Mexico 
87107 (505) 883-7877. Written comments and materials regarding the plan 
should be addressed to the State Supervisor. Comments and materials 
received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Cully (see ADDRESSES above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals or plants to the point 
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems 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 actions considered necessary for conservation and survival of 
the species, establish objective, measurable 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 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 the public comment period 
prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and 
other Federal agencies will also take these comments into account in 
the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
    The Sacramento prickly-poppy (Argemone pleiacantha ssp. 
pinnatisecta) was listed as endangered on August 24, 1989 (54 FR 
35305). Major threats to this species include surface-disturbing 
activities from water pipeline projects, road construction and 
maintenance, flash floods, trampling and grazing from livestock, and 
off road vehicle use. The draft recovery plan specifies management 
procedures for protecting habitat and expanding the species range and 
abundance.
    The objectives of the Draft Sacramento prickly-poppy recovery plan 
are to maintain extant populations in place and ensure the species is 
safe from extinction. Further, that at least 10 geographically 
distinct, self-sustaining natural populations be protected before the 
species is considered for downlisting.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the draft recovery plan 
described. All comments received by the date specified above will be 
considered prior to approval of the plan.

Authority

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

    Dated: March 9, 1994.
John G. Rogers,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc.94-6062 Filed 3-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M