[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 173 (Thursday, September 7, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 46624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22169]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Availability of the Lepanthes Eltorensis and Cranichis Ricartii 
Recovery Plan Technical/Agency Draft 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 Lepanthes 
eltorensis and Cranichis ricartii. Lepanthes eltorensis and Cranichis 
ricartii are orchids endemic to mountain forests in Puerto Rico. 
Lepanthes eltorensis is currently known from five discrete sites in the 
palo colorado and dwarf forests of the Caribbean National Forest. 
Cranichis ricartii has been found at only three locations in the 
Maricao Forest of western Puerto Rico. Both species are threatened by 
forest management practices, hurricane damage, and collection. 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 6, 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, PO. 
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, PO. 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 Lepanthes eltorensis and 
Cranichis ricartii, which are endemic to mountain forests in Puerto 
Rico. Lepanthes eltorensis is an epiphytic orchid that is currently 
known from five discrete sites in the palo colorado and dwarf forests, 
all at elevations greater than 850 meters in the Caribbean National 
Forest. The species has been reported from several species of trees, 
all supporting abundant mosses and liverworth. Cranichis ricartii has 
been found at only three locations in the Maricao Forest of western 
Puerto Rico. The species has been found growing in humus of moist 
serpentine scrub forests of montane ridges at elevations above 680 
meters. Both species are threatened by forest management practices, 
hurricane damage, and collection. The Service solicits review and 
comments from the public on this draft plan.

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 29, 1995.
James P. Oland,
Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 95-22169 Filed 9-6-95; 8:45 am]
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