[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 183 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49336-49337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24036]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of the Puerto Rican Broad-Winged Hawk and 
the Puerto Rican Sharp-Shinned Hawk Technical/Agency Draft Recovery 
Plan for Review and Comments

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 the Puerto 
Rican broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus brunnescens) and the Puerto 
Rican sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus venator). Both species are 
restricted to montane forests along the Cordillera Central, Sierra de 
Cayey, and Sierra de Luquillo. Both species are currently threatened 
by: Destruction and modification of forested habitat, timber harvest 
and management practices in public forests; road construction; increase 
in numbers of recreational facilities and the disturbance associated 
with public use; mortality and habitat destruction from hurricanes; the 
lack of comprehensive management plans for the public forests; possible 
loss of genetic variation due to low population levels; and the 
potential for illegal shooting. The Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk is 
also affected by warble fly parasitism. 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 18, 1996 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting Ms. Marelisa Rivera, Boqueron Field Office, P.O. 
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, Boqueron Field Office, P.O. 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 the Puerto Rican broad-winged 
hawk and the Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk, which are endemic to 
mountain forests in Puerto Rico. Present distribution of the Puerto 
Rican broad-winged hawk includes montane habitat of three forests: Rio 
Abajo Commonwealth Forest, Carite Commonwealth Forest, and the 
Caribbean National Forest. Extant breeding populations of the Puerto 
Rican sharp-skinned hawk are known from montane habitat of the Maricao 
Commonwealth Forest, Toro Negro Commonwealth Forest, Guilarte 
Commonwealth Forest, Carite Commonwealth Forest, and the Caribbean 
National Forest. Overall populations of 124 broad-winged hawks and 129 
sharp-shinned hawks have been estimated. The Puerto Rican broad-winged 
hawk is found in the subtropical moist forest, the subtropical wet 
forest, and the subtropical rain forest life zones. The Puerto Rican 
sharp-shinned hawk is found in the subtropical low montane wet forest 
and the subtropical wet forest life zones. Both species are currently 
threatened by: Destruction and modification of forested habitat, timber 
harvest and management practices in public forests; road construction; 
increase in numbers of recreational facilities and the disturbance 
associated with public use; mortality and habitat destruction from 
hurricanes; the lack of comprehensive management plans for the public 
forests; possible loss of genetic variation due to low population 
levels; and the potential for illegal shooting. The Puerto Rico sharp-
shinned hawk is also affected by warble fly parasitism.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan 
described. All comments received by the date specified

[[Page 49337]]

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: September 13, 1996.
Susan Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-24036 Filed 9-18-96; 8:45 am]
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