[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23163]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for 
Aristida chasae, Vernonia proctorii and Lyonia truncata var. proctorii 
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 Aristida 
chasae, Vernonia proctorii, Lyonia truncata var. proctorii. These three 
species are endemic to Puerto Rico and known only from the southwestern 
part of the island. The species are threatened by agricultural, 
residential and tourist development. 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 21, 1994 to receive consideration by the Service.

addresses: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting Ms. Susan Silander, Caribbean Field Office, P.O. 
Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622. Comments and materials received 
are available upon request for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the above address.

for further information contact: Ms. Susan Silander, Caribbean Field 
Office, P.O. Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622, Telephone: 809/851-
7297.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened species 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.
    Aristida chasae, Vernonia proctorii and Lyonia truncata var. 
proctorii are known only from the southwestern part of the island of 
Puerto Rico. A. chasae, an endemic grass, is known from two areas: The 
Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in Cabo Rojo and the Sierra Bermeja 
hills in Cabo Rojo and Lajas, V. proctorii and L. truncata var. 
proctorii, two small shrubs, are known only from upper slopes of the 
Sierra Bermeja hills. All three species are threatened in these hills 
by residential, agricultural and tourist development. Wildfires, a 
frequent occurrence in the dry southwest scrub forests, also threatened 
these species, particularly in the Sierra Bermeja. A. chasae may also 
be threatened by competition from introduced grass species.

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. 1531.

    Dated: September 13, 1994.
James P. Oland,
Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-23163 Filed 9-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M