[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11462]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 11, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Notice of Availability of a Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the 
Green Pitcher Plant 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 revised recovery plan for the 
green pitcher plant (Sarracenia oreophila). Populations are known to 
occur in northeast Alabama (Cherokee, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, and 
Marshall Counties), north Georgia (Towns County), and southwest North 
Carolina (Clay County). A historical record exists for Tennessee. 
Habitat for the green pitcher plant varies somewhat with populations 
located in moist upland areas and others along boggy, sandy stream 
edges. With the exception of a few sites on State park land, 
populations occur on privately owned lands. 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 1, 1994 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review a draft recovery plan may obtain a 
copy by contacting the Jackson Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A, Jackson, Mississippi 
39213. Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be 
addressed to the Field 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:
Ms. Carry Norquist at the above address (601/965-4900).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals and 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 actions 
considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish 
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 a public notice and an opportunity for public review and 
comment to 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 species considered in this draft recovery plan is the green 
pitcher plant (Sarracenia oreophila). This carnivorous plant occurs in 
moist upland areas and along boggy, sandy stream edges of northeastern 
Alabama, north Georgia, and southwest North Carolina. The green pitcher 
plant was listed as endangered in 1979 due to its limited distribution, 
and loss or decline in populations due to agricultural conversion, 
increased rural residential development, encroachment by woody plants 
due to hydrological alterations and fire suppression, and commercial 
and amateur collecting.
    The objective of this proposed plan is to delist the green pitcher 
plant. Delisting will be considered when a minimum of 18 viable 
populations, representing the diversity of habitats and the geographic 
range of the species, are protected and managed as necessary to ensure 
their continued existence. Actions needed to reach this goal include: 
(1) Protecting, managing, and monitoring populations, (2) surveying for 
new populations, (3) gathering additional baseline and hydrological 
information, (4) studying pollination biology and conducting genetic 
analyses of populations, (5) monitoring transplant and reestablishment 
experiments, (6) preserving genetic stock, and (7) continuing public 
education efforts.
    This Plan is the second revision of the original and is being 
submitted for technical and agency reviews. After consideration of 
comments received during the review period, it will be submitted for 
final approval.

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 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: April 28, 1994.
Robert Bowker,
Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-11462 Filed 5-10-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M