[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 183 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49337-49338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24038]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan 
for Aurodendron Pauciflorum and Myrcia Paganii for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces availability for 
public review of a technical/agency draft recovery plan for Aurodendron 
pauciflorum and Myrcia paganii (no common names). Aurodendron 
pauciflorum is an evergreen shrub or small tree known from the semi-
evergreen forests of the limestone hills of Isabela in northwestern 
Puerto Rico. Only 10 individual plants are known from the edges of 
these cliffs. Myrcia paganii is an evergreen tree which may reach 9 
meters in height, known from only 8 individuals at three locations in 
the limestone hills of northwestern Puerto Rico. Both species are 
threatened by rural, urban and tourist development. 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. Susan Silander, Boqueron 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:
Ms. Susan Silander, Boqueron Field Office, P.O. Box 491, Boqueron, 
Puerto Rico 00622, Telephone: 809/851-7297.

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

[[Page 49338]]

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 Aurodendron pauciflorum and 
Myrcia paganii. Aurodendron pauciflorum is an evergreen shrub or small 
tree which may reach up to 5 meters in height. Leaves are opposite or 
subopposite, ovate-elliptic, 6 to 15 centimeters long and 3.5 to 6 
centimeters wide, with minute black glandular dots. The fruit is 
unknown at the present time. The species known from the semi-evergreen 
forests of the limestone hills of Isabela in northwestern Puerto Rico. 
Only 10 individual plants are known from the edges of these cliffs. 
Myrcia paganii is an evergreen tree which may reach 9 meters in height 
and 13 centimeters in diameter. The bark is mottled and flaky and the 
inner bark is orange-brown. Leaves are opposite, simple, coriaceous, 
aromatic and glandular punctate below. M. paganii is known from only 8 
individuals at three locations in the limestone hills of northwestern 
Puerto Rico. Both species are threatened by rural, urban and tourist 
development in this limestone hill region of Puerto Rico. 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 12, 1996.
Susan R. Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-24038 Filed 9-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M