[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49627-49628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23849]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan 
for ``Stahlia monosperma'' 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 Stahlia 
monosperma (Cobana negra). This species belongs to a monotypic Genus 
endemic to Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, and it usually grows in 
brackish, seasonally flooded wetlands in association with mangrove 
communities. The only wild populations in Puerto Rico are known from 
Cabo Rojo, Rio Grande, and Vieques island. Coastal development 
threatens the remnant populations of this species. 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 27, 1995 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting Mr. Jorge E. Saliva, 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:
Mr. Jorge E. Saliva, Caribbean Field Office, P.O. Box 491, Boqueron, 
Puerto Rico 00622, Telephone: 809/851-7297.

[[Page 49628]]


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 Stahlia monosperma (cobana 
negra), a tree currently known from parts of southwestern and 
northeastern coasts of Puerto Rico and the island of Vieques. Cobana 
negra is a medium-sized evergreen tree that reaches 8 to 16 meters (25 
to 50 feet) in height, and 1 to 1.5 feet in diameter. Flowers are 
yellow, and are produced between March and May, depending on rainfall. 
A thin, red, fleshy fruit is produced during late June and mid-July. 
Coastal development, along with its resulting dredging and filling of 
wetlands, poses the biggest threat to this species. 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: September 14, 1995.
James P. Oland,
Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 95-23849 Filed 9-25-95; 8:45 am]
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