[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 9724-9726] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-5156] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AC04 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of Proposed Rule to List Coccoloba Rugosa (Ortegon) as Threatened AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service withdraws the proposed rule to list Coccoloba rugosa (ortegon) as threatened, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This plant, endemic to Puerto Rico, occurs primarily in the eastern portion of the island. It is currently known from approximately 33 localities. Based on an evaluation of data available following publication of the proposal and evaluation of the comments, the Service determines that listing of ortegon is not warranted at the present time. The Service expects to work together with the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Forest Service, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust and private landowners to protect and monitor the status of the species on these lands. ADDRESSES: The complete file for this action is available for inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the Caribbean Field Office, Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan R. Silander at the Caribbean Field Office address (809/851-7297). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Although there are no records available concerning when Coccoloba rugosa was first discovered, it is known that it was widely cultivated in European botanical gardens during the nineteenth century (Proctor, pers. comm.). The species was named in 1815 and described in 1829 by the French botanist Rene Louiche Desfontaines from a cultivated specimen at the Botanical Garden of Paris (Little et al. 1974). This plant was reported from St. Thomas more than a century ago, but it is a doubtful record (Proctor, pers. comm.). Coccoloba rugosa is a small evergreen tree 9 meters (30 feet) tall with a diameter of approximately 12.5 centimeters (5 inches). The bark is brown or gray and fissured, with faint rings at the nodes. The green twigs are stout, slightly flattened with longitudinal ridges. The alternate stalkless leaves are 22-60 centimeters (9-24 inches) wide, very thick, brittle, and hairless. The leaf surface is rugose, with veins deeply sunken on the upper side and prominent beneath. At the base of each leaf is a large sheath (ocrea) measuring 4-6 centimeters (1.5-2.5 inches) long. Inflorescences are terminal, 30-75 centimeters (1-2.5 feet) long with numerous small crimson-colored flowers. Male and female flowers are borne on different trees (dioecious). The red ovoid fruits are about 1 centimeter (.4 inch) long with one brown, pointed, 3-angled seed that is .5 centimeter (.2 inch) long. Ortegon is known from approximately 5,000 individuals at 33 sites most of which occur in the subtropical moist forest life zone of northern and eastern Puerto Rico. In eastern Puerto Rico the species is known from 23 localities. More than 1,000 individuals have been located at several localities on a privately-owned tourist resort complex in the Humacao/Yabucoa area in eastern Puerto Rico. An additional 400 individuals were found at Punta Guayanez, adjacent to the tourist resort complex. The species also occurs in 10 areas in the Punta Yeguas/Punta Toro area of Yabucoa/Maunabo municipalities. Portions of the Punta Yeguas area are owned and managed by the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust. Approximately 350 individuals may occur in these areas. More than 2,000 plants have been reported from the east facing slopes of Cerro Mala Pascua at approximately 100 meters above sea level in the municipalities of Maunabo and Patillas. In northeastern Puerto Rico Coccoloba rugosa has been reported from locations in Luquillo, Rio Grande, the El Convento area of Fajardo, and from two locations which fall within the Caribbean National Forest (approximately 36 plants). In northern Puerto Rico the species occurs in the limestone knolls within the San Juan metropolitan area at two localities: 6 individuals on the Fort Buchanan Army installation in the municipality of Guaynabo and one locality consisting of 2 individuals on the Sabana Seca Naval Security Group Activities facility in the municipality of Toa Baja. One population historically [[Page 9725]] reported from west of the San Jose lagoon in the San Juan metropolitan area was destroyed some years ago (Little et al. 1974). Previous Federal Action Coccoloba rugosa was included among the plants being considered as a candidate species (species for which the Service has on file sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threat(s) to support issuance of a proposed rule to list) by the Service, as published in the Federal Register notice of review dated February 21, 1990 (55 FR 6184) and September 30, 1993 (58 FR 51144). The Service published a proposal to list ortegon as threatened on September 24, 1993 (58 FR 49660) based on information available at that time. The comment period on the proposal was subsequently reopened until January 24, 1995 (59 FR 60598) to allow for the collection and verification of additional information. The deadline for publishing a final listing decision was extended in the same Federal Register notice to March 24, 1995. The processing of this action conforms with the Service's final listing priority guidance published in the Federal Register on December 5, 1996 (61 FR 64475). The guidance clarifies the order in which the Service will process rulemakings during fiscal year 1997. The guidance calls for giving highest priority to handling emergency situations (Tier 1) and second highest priority (Tier 2) to resolving the listing status of the outstanding proposed listings. This rule falls under Tier 2. At this time, there are no pending Tier 1 actions. Summary of Comments and Recommendations In the September 24, 1993, proposed rule and associated notifications, all interested parties were requested to submit factual reports of information that might contribute to the development of a final rule. Appropriate agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Federal agencies, scientific organizations and other interested parties were contacted and requested to comment. A newspaper notice inviting general public comment was published in the ``San Juan Star'' on October 10, 1993. The Service received three letters of comment, one supported the listing (Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources) and the other two provided information (University of Puerto Rico at Humacao and Vazquez Environmental Services, Inc. for Palmas del Mar, Inc.) but did not indicate either support or opposition. Nevertheless, on June 21, 1994, the Service received a letter from Vinson & Elkins, attorneys for the Palmas del Mar Properties, Inc., which provided additional information on both the distribution and abundance of Coccoloba rugosa. Based on this additional information the Service reopened the comment period through January 24, 1995, and requested additional information from Federal agencies, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico agencies, scientific organizations and interested parties. One letter of comment was received, from Vinson & Elkins for Palmas del Mar, Inc., which provided information similar to that in their letter of June 21, 1994. The Service has verified data provided by Palmas in both of these letters and this information has been incorporated into the supplementary information provided above. Summary of Factors Affecting the Species The Endangered Species Act and implementing regulations found at 50 CFR 424.17(3) provide for the basis for determining a species to be endangered or threatened and for withdrawing a proposed rule when the proposal has not been found to be supported by available evidence. The five factors described in section 4(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act, as they apply to the withdrawal of the proposed listing of Coccoloba rugosa (ortegon) are as follows: A. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of its Habitat or Range At present, Coccoloba rugosa is known from a total of 33 localities. Two are located on land which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Caribbean National Forest and the species is included by the Forest Service as a sensitive species and is considered in environmental evaluations and in management practices. The species occurs on property of both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, both of which are aware of the presence of the species and the need to protect it. No activities are currently proposed by these entities for the areas where the species is found. The localities at Punta Yeguas are owned and managed by the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust, a non- governmental organization dedicated to the protection of natural resources, and the organization is aware of the presence of the species on its property and the need for its protection. More than 1,000 individuals are located within the boundaries of the Palmas del Mar, Inc. resort in Humacao, Puerto Rico. The resort has, in its most recent development expansion proposal, included all known individuals within the project area in green areas and has avoided impacting individuals. The corporation has expressed interest in protecting the species through a cooperative agreement. B. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific or Educational Purposes Not applicable. Ortegon may be of interest as a cultivated, ornamental plant, and has been the subject of successful propagation both by private entities as well as by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. C. Disease or Predation Not applicable. D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms The species is considered to be a ``critical'' species by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and is considered in evaluations done by the agency for development proposals. Listing under the Act would have offered protection through Sections 7 and 9, and through recovery planning. Nevertheless, the largest populations are on privately-owned land where few federally-funded or permitted projects are anticipated. E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting its Continued Existence Although the forests of eastern Puerto Rico were dramatically affected by the passage of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the species occurs in a sufficient number of localities that would ensure its continued survival. Proposed Rule Withdrawal The Service has carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial information available regarding the past, present, and future threats faced by Coccoloba rugosa in determining to withdraw this proposed rule. The withdrawal is based on the likelihood of the species retaining its current distribution and numbers and the anticipated cooperation on the part of both Federal and Commonwealth agencies and non-governmental and private entities in the conservation of the species. The Service withdraws the proposed rule of September 24, 1993 (58 FR 49660) to list the Coccoloba rugosa as a threatened species. At present the Service does not consider this species a Candidate for listing. [[Page 9726]] References Cited Little, E.L., R.O. Woodbury, and F.H. Wadsworth. 1974. Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Second volume. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook No. 449. Washington, D.C. 1024 pp. Author The primary author of this document is Ms. Susan R. Silander (see ADDRESSES section). Authority The authority for this action is section 4(b)(6)(B)(ii) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: February 10, 1997. John G. Rogers, Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 97-5156 Filed 3-3-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P