[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19777-19778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10470]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Workshop To Obtain Input for the Development of Habitat-Based 
Recovery Criteria for the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of public workshop.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice that a public 
workshop will be held to begin the development of habitat-based 
recovery criteria for the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), a 
threatened species in the 48 contiguous States. The workshop will allow 
scientists and other interested parties the opportunity to submit oral 
or written comments.

DATES: The public workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, 1 p.m. 
to 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 17, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The public workshop will be held at the GranTree Inn, 1325 
North 7th Avenue, Bozeman, Montana. Comments and materials concerning 
the workshop should be sent to the Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University Hall, Room 309, University 
of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812. Comments and materials received 
will be available for inspection, by appointment, during normal 
business hours at the above Service address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Christopher Servheen, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator (see 
ADDRESSES above), at 406/243-4903, fax 406/329-3212, e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is listed as a 
threatened species in the 48 contiguous States. The Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, 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. A revised 
Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan was approved by the Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) on September 10, 1993. The Bitterroot Ecosystem 
Recovery Plan Chapter was approved as a supplement to the Grizzly Bear 
Recovery Plan on September 11, 1996.
    The Service will hold a public workshop seeking comments on 
objective, measurable habitat-based recovery criteria that the agency 
needs to develop and incorporate into the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. 
The criteria will be used to describe the characteristics of the 
habitat necessary to support a recovered population of grizzly bears. 
Once the habitat-based recovery criteria have been developed, specific, 
quantified habitat-based recovery criteria eventually will be developed 
for each recovery zone. These quantified criteria will then become part 
of the recovery goal for that particular grizzly bear population. At 
the workshop, the Service also wants to obtain information and comments 
on methods for monitoring the habitat-based recovery criteria. Emphasis 
of this workshop will be on the habitat needs of the Yellowstone 
ecosystem grizzly bear population, but comments on other grizzly bear 
populations and for grizzly bears anywhere in the lower 48 States are 
also welcome.
    The Service seeks the input of scientists, the public, and 
interested organizations at the workshop. The workshop will be held in 
Bozeman, Montana, on June 17, 1997 (see ADDRESSES section). The 
workshop will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with two breaks (see 
DATES section). Participants are invited to present information in oral 
and written form. All comments presented orally also should be 
submitted in writing at the workshop to facilitate review of these 
comments. Those wishing to present information or comments orally at 
the workshop are asked to contact Dr. Christopher Servheen, Grizzly 
Bear Recovery Coordinator (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section) 
so that scheduling of oral presentations can be arranged in advance. 
Anyone wishing to provide information or comments, but unable to attend 
the workshop, should send the information or comments to Dr. 
Christopher Servheen (see ADDRESSES section). All information and 
comments previously or subsequently received will be considered during 
the development of the habitat-based recovery criteria.


[[Page 19778]]


    Dated: April 16, 1997.
Wilbur Ladd,
Acting Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 97-10470 Filed 4-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M