[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10780]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Mexican Long-Nosed 
Bat 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 Mexican 
long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) which the Service listed as an 
endangered species on September 30, 1988 (53 FR 38460). This species is 
known to occur in central and northern Mexico, the Big Bend area of 
Texas, and Hildago County in southwestern New Mexico. 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 July 5, 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, Ecological 
Services Field Office, 611 E. Sixth Street, room 407, Austin, Texas 
78701; (512) 482-5436. Written comments and materials regarding the 
plan should be addressed to the State Administrator 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:
Ms. Carol J. Beardmore, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist, 
telephone (512) 482-5436 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 objective, 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 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 Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) is known to 
occur in central and northern Mexico, the Big Bend area of Texas, and 
Hildago County, New Mexico. The species roosts in caves, crevices, 
mines, and occasionally man-made structures. The only known Mexican 
long-nosed bat roost in the United States is found in the Big Bend 
National Park, Texas. This roost is used for a relatively short period 
during the summer. The Mexican long-nosed bat feeds primarily on the 
nectar produced by night blooming plants (Agave spp.) and is one of 
only two bat species found in the United States that is nectarivorous. 
These bats appear to follow the seasonal blooming of agave plants.
    The Mexican long-nosed bat is threatened by loss and disruption of 
roosting and foraging habitat. Preferred (historical) roost sites are a 
limiting factor for this and other bat species. When occupying a roost, 
this bat appears to be particularly sensitive to human movement and 
disruption. Mexican long-nosed bat roosts are threatened by curious 
individuals, cave vandals, and citizens attempting to eradicate vampire 
bats.The foraging habitat of the Mexican long-nosed bat is threatened 
by producers of tequila, mescal, and pulque who harvest heads from 
flowering agave stalks before they mature and producers flower. Except 
for protection of plants and roost sites in the Big Bend National Park, 
food producing plants and roosts are generally unprotected.
    The objective of the Draft Recovery Plan for the Mexican long-nosed 
bat is downlisting. Downlisting is selected because there is 
insufficient information regarding the bat and its habitat to specify 
delisting criteria. Downlisting criteria are specified in the plan. 
Recovery efforts outlined in the plan focus on roosting and foraging 
habitat identification and protection, public education, and research 
to determine biological and habitat requirements of the species as they 
apply to identification and protection efforts.
    The Mexican long-nosed bat recovery plan has been reviewed by the 
appropriate Service staff in Region 2. 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. Because the majority of 
this bat's range is found in Mexico, the Service is especially 
interested in soliciting comments from Mexican biologists and others 
who have studied the bat fauna in Mexico.

Authority

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

    Dated: April 28, 1994.
Lynn B. Starnes,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-10780 Filed 5-4-94; 8:45 am]
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