[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]]

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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.

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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]
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