[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 170 (Friday, September 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45732-45733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21699]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan 
for Harrisia portoricensis 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 Harrisia 
portoricensis (higo chumbo). This cactus occurs only on the islands of 
Mona, Monito, and Desecheo, all located to the west of Puerto Rico. The 
species is threatened by development which has been proposed on Mona 
Island and the effects of introduced animals such as 

[[Page 45733]]
feral pigs and goats. 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 31, 1995 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.
    This Technical/Agency Draft is for Harrisia portoricensis (higo 
chumbo), a cactus currently known from the islands of Mona, Monito, and 
Desecheo, all located to the west of Puerto Rico. It once occurred on 
the main island, however, has not been collected there since 1913. Higo 
chumbo, a night flowering cactus, can reach 6 feet in height and about 
3 inches in diameter. It is usually unbranched and has 8 to 11 ribs 
separated by shallow grooves. The plant's fruit is a round, yellow, 
spineless berry and is a favorite food of the endangered yellow-
shouldered blackbird. Higo chumbo is threatened by proposed development 
on the island of Mona feral pigs, which may uproot the cactus while 
foraging for roots, and feral goats, which may indirectly affect the 
cactus by modifying the vegetation. This plan will describe measures 
necessary to recover the species, including studies of its reproductive 
biology and propagation.

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: August 25, 1995.
James P. Oland,
Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 95-21699 Filed 8-31-95; 8:45 am]
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