[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 29, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 44899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21422]



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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan 
for the Yellow-Shouldered Blackbird for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces availability for 
public review of a technical/agency draft revised recovery plan for the 
yellow-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus). At present, the 
species is restricted to a few localities in southwestern, southern and 
eastern Puerto Rico, and to Mona and Monito Islands. Nesting yellow-
shouldered blackbirds use a variety of habitats: mud flats and salinas, 
mangrove forests and cays, coastal upland dry forest, palm trees, 
suburban areas, artificial structures and coastal cliffs. The species 
is threatened by shiny-cowbird parasitism, habitat destruction and 
modification, nest predation, parasitism and diseases. 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 October 30, 1995, 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 the yellow-shouldered blackbird, 
which is endemic to the island of Puerto Rico. This species is endemic 
to Puerto Rico and Mona Island. In the past, this species was 
considered abundant and widespread in Puerto Rico. At present, the 
species is restricted to a few localities in southwestern, southern and 
eastern Puerto Rico, and to Mona and Monito Islands. A maximum of 500 
individuals have been reported from southwestern Puerto Rico. 
Approximately 400 individuals are known from Mona Island, 20 
individuals have been sighted in Salinas, and one individual was 
sighted in Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. Nesting yellow-shouldered 
blackbirds use a variety of habitats: mud flats and salinas, mangrove 
forests and cays, coastal upland dry forest, palm trees, suburban 
areas, artificial structures and coastal cliffs. The species is 
threatened by shiny-cowbird parasitism, habitat destruction and 
modification, nest predation, parasitism and diseases.

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: August 18, 1995.
Susan Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 95-21422 Filed 8-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M