[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 46660] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-22476] [[Page 46660]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of the Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for Rock Gnome Lichen (Gymnoderma lineare), a Plant Species, for Review and Comment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability for public review of a technical/agency draft recovery plan for Gymnoderma lineare (rock gnome lichen). This rare lichen grows in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, on rocks in areas of high humidity, either at high elevations, where it is frequently bathed in fog, or in deep gorges at lower elevations. Only 33 populations survive, with most of these covering an area smaller than two square meters. The species is threatened by collection, logging, and habitat disturbance due to heavy use by hikers and climbers. It is also indirectly threatened by exotic insect pests and possibly air pollution, which are contributing to the demise of the Fraser fir forests at higher elevations in the Southern Appalachians. The Service solicits review and comments from the public on this draft plan. DATES: Comments on the technical/agency draft recovery plan must be received on or before November 4, 1996, to receive consideration by the Service. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the technical/agency draft recovery plan may obtain a copy by contacting the Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801 (Telephone 704/258-3939). Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the State Supervisor at the above address. 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. Nora Murdock at the address and telephone number shown above (Ext. 231). 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 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 the conservation of the species, criteria for recognizing the recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and initial estimates of time and cost to implement the recovery measures needed. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act), 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 a 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 the 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. The primary species considered in this draft recovery plan is Gymnoderma lineare (rock gnome lichen). The areas of emphasis for recovery actions for this plant are the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Initial attention will be focused on high-elevation cliffs and rock outcrops, and lower elevation river gorges in Tennessee (Sevier County) and North Carolina (Mitchell, Jackson, Yancey, Swain, Transylvania, Buncombe, Avery, Ashe, Rutherford, and Haywood Counties). Research on threats, habitat protection, reintroduction, and the preservation of genetic material are the major objectives of this recovery 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 28, 1996. Brian P. Cole, State Supervisor. [FR Doc. 96-22476 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M