[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 126 (Friday, July 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16024]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Notice of 
Interagency Cooperative Policy on Recovery Plan Participation and 
Implementation Under the Endangered Species Act

AGENCIES: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior, and National Marine 
Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of policy statement.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries 
Service (hereafter referred to as Services) announce interagency policy 
relative to recovery plan participation and implementation under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This cooperative policy is 
intended to minimize social and economic impacts consistent with timely 
recovery of species listed as threatened or endangered under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In addition, this 
policy provides a Participation Plan process, which involves all 
appropriate agencies and affected interests in a mutually-developed 
strategy to implement one or more recovery actions.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Rappaport Clark, Chief, Division 
of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ARLSQ 452, 18th 
and C Streets NW., Washington, DC 20240 (telephone 703/358-2171), or 
Russell Bellmer, Chief, Endangered Species Division, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1335 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 
20910 (telephone 301/713-2322).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(f) of the Act directs the Secretary of the Commerce and 
the Secretary of Interior to develop and implement recovery plans for 
animal and plant species listed as endangered or threatened, unless 
such plans would not promote the conservation of the species. 
Coordination among State, Tribal or Federal agencies, academic 
institutions, private individuals and organizations, commercial 
enterprises, and other affected parties is perhaps the most essential 
ingredient for recovering a species.

Policy

    To enhance recovery plan development and implementation, while 
recommending measures that accomplish the goals of a recovery plan, the 
Services will:

A. Diversify areas of expertise represented on a recovery team,
B. Develop multiple species plans when possible,
C. Minimize the social and economic impacts of implementing recovery 
actions,
D. Involve representatives of affected groups and provide stakeholders 
the opportunity to participate in recovery plan development, and
E. Develop recovery plans within 2 1/2 years after final listing.
(1) Recovery Plan Preparation and Process
    The method to be used for recovery plan preparation shall be based 
on several factors, including the range or ecosystem of the species 
(limited vs. extensive), the complexity of the recovery actions 
contemplated, the number of organizations responsible for the 
implementation of the recovery tasks, the availability and expertise of 
personnel, and the availability of funds. Outside expertise in the form 
of recovery teams, other Federal agencies, State agency personnel, 
Tribal governments, private conservation organizations, and private 
contractors shall be used, as necessary, to develop and implement 
recovery plans in a timely manner that will minimize the social and 
economic consequences of plan implementation.
    Team members should be selected for their knowledge of the species 
or for expertise in elements of recovery plan design or implementation 
(such as local planning, rural sociology, economics, forestry, etc.), 
rather than their professional or other affiliations. Teams are to be 
composed of recognized experts in their fields and are encouraged to 
explore all avenues in arriving at solutions necessary to recover 
threatened or endangered species. Factors for selection of team members 
are (1) expertise (including current involvement, if possible), with 
respect to the species, closely related species, or the ecosystem in 
which it is or may once again become a part, (2) special knowledge of 
one or more threats contributing to the listed status of the species 
and (3) knowledge of one or more related disciplines, such as land use 
planning, state regulations, etc. The Services also will select team 
members based on special knowledge essential for the development of 
recovery implementation schedules, particularly development of 
Participation Plans that are intended to minimize the social and 
economic effects of recovery actions. Teams should include 
representatives of State, Tribal, or Federal agencies, academic 
institutions, private individuals and organizations, commercial 
enterprises, and other constituencies with an interest in the species 
and its recovery or the economic or social impacts of recovery.
(2) Involvement of Affected Groups
    Whether a recovery plan is developed by the Service's biologists, 
contractors, or a recovery team, each plan will seek the best 
information to fulfill the intent of the Act regarding recovery 
planning. This information and input from affected interests will be 
used to develop alternatives for recovery implementation that not only 
meet requirements for the recovery of a species, but minimize social 
and economic effects of recovery actions. Representatives of affected 
interests that can be determined during recovery plan development will 
be asked to participate during plan development and implementation.
(3) Implementing Recovery Actions
    Implementation of recovery plans will be accomplished through the 
means that will provide for timely recovery of the species while 
minimizing social and economic impacts. The Services will involve all 
affected interests in the recovery plan implementation process through 
the development of a Participation Plan. A Participation Plan should 
involve all appropriate agencies and affected interests in a mutually 
developed strategy to implement one of more specifically designated 
recovery actions. Participation Plans should ensure that a feasible 
strategy is developed for all affected interests while providing 
realistic and timely recovery of the species.
    Nothing in this policy is intended to change the current policy of 
developing recovery plans within 2\1/2\ years after final listing of a 
species (18 months for draft recovery plan and a final recovery plan 
within an additional 12 months of the draft).

Scope of Policy

    The scope of this policy is Servicewide for all species of fish and 
wildlife and plants, as defined pursuant to section 3 of the Act (16 
U.S.C. 1532).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 5131-1544).

    Dated: June 27, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

    Dated: June 24, 1994.
Rolland A. Schmitten,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-16024 Filed 6-30-94; 8:45 am]
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