[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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