[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31732-31733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14733]



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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Lyrate 
Bladderpod for Review and Comment

agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

action: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

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

summary: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the lyrate 
bladderpod (Lesquerella lyrata). This small annual occurs in northwest 
Alabama with populations known from Colbert, Franklin, and Lawrence 
Counties. Plants occur in shallow soils adjacent to outcrops supporting 
cedar glades. Populations occur on private land with plants extending 
onto county and state-maintained road rights-of-way at several sites. 
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 August 1, 1995 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: Ms. Cary Norquist at the above address 
(601/965-4900, ext. 28).

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 downlisting 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 

[[Page 31733]]
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 the lyrate 
bladderpod (Lesquerella lyrata). This annual plant, in the mustard 
family, occurs near cedar glade areas in Colbert, Franklin, and 
Lawrence Counties, Alabama. Currently, none of the populations occur on 
relative pristine cedar glades, as plants are located in gladey 
pastures, fields, and on roadsides. The lyrate bladderpod was listed as 
threatened in 1990 due to its limited distribution (only three 
populations are known) and threats from herbicide usage, road 
improvement, and increasing development in the area. The lyrate 
bladderpod is believed to be an early successional species which is 
eliminated by the shade and competition of invading perennials. Active 
management will be needed to maintain populations.

    The objective of this proposed plan is to delist the lyrate 
bladderpod. Delisting will be considered when a minimum of 9 
demonstrably secure and self-sustaining populations exist. Actions 
needed to reach this goal include: (1) Protecting, managing, and 
monitoring populations, (2) surveying for new populations, (3) 
gathering autecological data, (4) preserving genetic stock, and (5) 
providing information to the public to assist in the conservation 
efforts. After consideration of comments received during the review 
period, it will be submitted for final approval.

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 9, 1995.

Robert Bowker,

Field Supervisor.

[FR Doc. 95-14733 Filed 6-15-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-M