[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 145 (Friday, July 29, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18457]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 29, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for Ursus 
americanus luteolus (Louisiana black bear) for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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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 
Louisiana black bear. The Louisiana black bear is a threatened species 
that once occurred throughout southern Mississippi, all of Louisiana 
and eastern Texas. The Louisiana black bear is currently only known to 
occupy habitat in the Tensas and Atchafalaya River basins in Louisiana. 
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 October 7, 1994 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the 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:
Robert Bowker 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 reclassifying 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 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 species considered in this draft recovery plan is Ursus 
americanus luteolus (Louisiana black bear). Listing the Louisiana black 
bear was considered necessary because of extensive habitat 
modification, its quantity having been reduced by more than 80% as of 
1980. The remaining habitat has been reduced in quality by 
fragmentation due to intrusion of man and his structures, thereby 
stressing the remaining population of bears. The major objective of 
this recovery plan is to restore and protect the quantity and quality 
of Louisiana black bear habitat, with interconnecting corridors between 
habitat fragments, so that the protection afforded by the Endangered 
Species Act is no longer warranted.

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: July 22, 1994.
Robert Bowker,
Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-18457 Filed 7-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M