[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 154 (Thursday, August 10, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40851-40852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19354]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Washington, Oregon, 
and California Population of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus 
marmoratus marmoratus) 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 the availability for 
public review of a draft recovery plan for the threatened Marbled 
Murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus (Washington, Oregon, and 
California Population). This species feeds primarily on fish and 
invertebrates 

[[Page 40852]]
in near-shore marine waters. In Washington, Oregon and California, they 
nest on large limbs of mature or old-growth conifers, flying inland up 
to 80 kilometers (50 miles) to nest. 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 10, 1995 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Oregon State Office, 2600 S.E. 98th Avenue, Suite 100, 
Portland, Oregon 97266 (telephone: 503-231-6179), or the Assistant 
Regional Director, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Eastside Federal Complex, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-
4181 (telephone: 503-231-6131). Written comments and materials 
regarding the plan should be addressed to Mr. Russell D. Peterson, 
State Supervisor, at the above Portland Field Office address. Comments 
and materials received are available on request for public inspection, 
by appointment, during normal business hours at the above Oregon State 
Office address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Gary S. Miller at the above Oregon State Office address (telephone: 
503-231-6179).

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 
(Service) 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 the conservation of the species, 
establish criteria for reclassification or delisting, 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 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.
    In North America, Marbled Murrelets range along the Pacific coast 
from Alaska to California. The Washington, Oregon and California 
population breeds along a coastal strip from the Olympic Peninsula and 
northern Cascades, Washington, and along the coasts of Oregon and 
California. Their at-sea distribution becomes discontinuous in this 
area. The southern end of the breeding range occurs in central 
California. Some wintering birds are found in southern California and 
as far south as northern Baja California, Mexico. Marbled Murrelets 
feed primarily on fish and invertebrates in near-shore marine waters. 
In Washington, Oregon and California, they nest on large limbs of 
mature or old-growth conifers, flying inland up to 80 kilometers (50 
miles) to nest. Currently, breeding populations are not distributed 
continuously throughout the forested portion of the three-state area. 
Recent at-sea survey work also indicates that current populations of 
Marbled Murrelets are experiencing extremely low recruitment. The 
principal causes of decline are nesting habitat modification (both loss 
and fragmentation of nesting habitat) and mortality from net fisheries 
and oil spills. Critical habitat was proposed for the species on 
January 27, 1994 (59 FR 3811). Recovery of this species will require 
securing currently suitable nesting habitat, decreasing adult and 
juvenile mortality, increasing suitable habitat quality and quantity, 
and continued research to address more specific life-history 
requirements.

Public Comment Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the draft recovery plan 
described. All comments received by the date specified will be 
considered prior to approval of the plan.

Author

    The author of this notice is Gary Miller (see Oregon State Office 
address above).

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

    Dated: July 21, 1995.
Michael Spear,
Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-19354 Filed 8-9-95; 8:45 am]
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