[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 179 (Friday, September 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22899]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for 
Callicarpa ampla, Ilex sintenisii, Styrax portoricensis, Ternstroemia 
luquillensis and Ternstroemia subsessilis 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 announces availability for 
public review of a technical/agency draft recovery plan for Callicarpa 
ampla, Ilex sintenisii, Styrax portoricensis, Ternstroemia luquillensis 
and Ternstroemia subsessilis. These species are restricted to the 
Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. 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 November 15, 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 five Puerto Rican endangered 
trees, Callicarpa ampla, Ilex sintenisii, Styrax portoricensis, 
Ternstroemia luquillensis and Ternstroemia subsessilis, all endemic to 
the island of Puerto Rico. These trees are currently restricted to the 
Luquillo Mountains. These endangered trees face extinction due to 
deforestation for construction of communication facilities, roads, as 
well as overcollection, periodic impact of hurricanes, and forest 
management practices of Caribbean National Forest. Callicarpa ampla is 
an evergreen tree up to 50 feet tall with small white flowers and 
purplish ripe fruits. Today, approximately fourteen individuals are 
known to exist. Ilex sintenisii is a shrub or small tree 15-20 feet in 
height. It grows in the highest peaks of the Caribbean National Forest, 
within the dwarf forest vegetation type. Styrax portoricensis is a 
tree, 30-40 feet tall, known from a single individual. Ternstroemia 
luquillensis is a 60 foot tree endemic to the Luquillo Mountains, where 
it is known from less than 40 individuals. Ternstroemia subsessilis is 
a shrub or small tree 15-20 feet tall. It is known from less than 40 
individuals.

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).
Susan Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-22899 Filed 9-15-94; 8:45 am]
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