[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 33799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16325]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17


Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Stephens' 
Kangaroo Rat for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability for 
public review of a draft recovery plan for the Stephens' kangaroo rat 
(Dipodomys stephensi). The Stephens' kangaroo rat occurs on Federal, 
State, local, and private lands in western Riverside County, 
northwestern San Diego County, and possibly, southwestern San 
Bernardino County, California. The Service solicits review and comment 
from the public on this plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before August 22, 1997 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the Field Supervisor at the following address: 
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2730 
Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008. Telephone requests may 
be made by calling 619/431-9440. Comments and material received are 
available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arthur Davenport at the above address 
and telephone number.

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 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. Plans also establish criteria for the 
recovery levels necessary for downlisting or delisting the species. 
They also provide an estimation of time and cost of implementing the 
recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Amended (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 public notice, to provide an opportunity for public 
review and comment, be given during plan development. The Service will 
consider all significant information presented during a public comment 
period prior to the approval of each new or revised Recovery Plan. The 
Service and other Federal agencies also will take these comments into 
account in the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
    The Stephens' kangaroo rat is associated with habitats that have 
low to nonexistent perennial cover, forbs, and bare ground. This 
species is known to currently occur in western Riverside County and 
northwestern San Diego County. The species may also still occur in 
southwestern San Bernardino County. The threats to the species include 
habitat loss and degradation due to invasive exotic species. Protection 
and management of its habitat are the primary goals of the recovery 
effort.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan 
described. All significant comments received by the date specified 
above will be considered prior to the approval of the plan.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)).

    Dated: April 23, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-16325 Filed 6-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P