[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16344]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 7, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for Puerto 
Rican Endangered Ferns for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces availability for 
public review of a technical/agency draft recovery plan for Puerto 
Rican endangered ferns. They occur in the limestone or karst region of 
northwestern Puerto Rico and in the central mountains. Deforestation 
and fragmentation of habitat may have restricted these species to their 
present locations. The Service solicits review and comments from the 
public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before (September 6, 1994) to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting Ms. Marelisa Rivera, Caribbean Field Office, P.O. 
Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622. 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. Marelisa Rivera, Caribbean Field Office, P.O. Box 491, Boqueron, 
P.R. 00622, Tel. 809-851-7297.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant 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 actions considered 
necessary for conservation of the species, establish 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 and 
other Federal agencies will also take these comments into account in 
the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
    This Technical/Agency Draft is for seven Puerto Rican endangered 
ferns, all endemic to the island of Puerto Rico. These ferns are 
currently restricted to one, two or three locations each. Adiantum 
vivesii, Tectaria estremerana and Thelypteris verecunda are found in 
the limestone or karst region of northwestern Puerto Rico. Adiantum 
vivesii and Tectaria estremerana are only known from one locality each 
in Quebradillas and Arecibo, respectively. Thelypteris verecunda is 
known from Quebradillas, Hatillo and San Sebastian. Elaphoglossum 
serpens, Polystichum calderonense, Thelypteris inabonensis, and 
Thelypteris yaucoensis are found in the mountains of the central region 
of Puerto Rico. Elaphoglossum serpens and Thelypteris inabonensis are 
known from the Toro Negro commonwealth Forest and Polystichum 
calderonense is known from Monte Guilarte Commonwealth Forest. 
Thelypteris yaucoensis is known from Yauco and Ciales. The seven 
species face extinction due to the extreme rarity and restricted 
distribution, habitat destruction and modification, forest management 
practices, hurricane damage and possible collection.

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: June 24, 1994.
Susan Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor, Caribbean Field Office, Puerto Rico.
[FR Doc. 94-16344 Filed 7-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M