[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 154 (Monday, August 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 43003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21095]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Inyo California
Towhee of the Southern Argus Range, Inyo County, California, for Review
and Comment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability
for public review of a draft recovery plan for the threatened Inyo
California towhee. The Service solicits review and comment from the
public on this draft recovery plan.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or
before October 10, 1997.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the draft recovery plan can be obtained from the
Fish and Wildlife Service's Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493
Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, California, 93003, phone 805/644-1766.
Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed
to the Field Supervisor at the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office.
Comments and materials received are available on request for public
inspection by appointment at the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Mesta in the Ventura Fish and
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section).
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 recovery efforts, the Service prepares
recovery plans for most of the listed species native to the United
States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for
conservation of listed species, establish criteria for the recovery
levels for reclassification from endangered to threatened or removal
from the list, and estimate the time and cost for implementing the
needed recovery measures.
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 will
consider all information presented during a public comment period prior
to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other
Federal agencies will take these comments into account in the course of
implementing approved recovery plans.
Inyo California towhees are restricted in range and number and
therefore, are susceptible to habitat destruction and degradation. The
recovery strategy for this subspecies will focus on the elimination of
threats to all known habitats and the rehabilitation of those that have
been degraded or destroyed. The draft recovery plan describes tasks
that, when accomplished, should ensure the continued existence of the
Inyo California towhee, and thereby justify its removal from the
endangered and threatened species list. The draft recovery plan was
developed in cooperation with the principle affected agencies:
California Department of Fish and Game, Bureau of Land Management, and
the Navy.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service solicits written comments on the draft recovery plan
described herein. 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. 1533(f).
Dated: June 17, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 97-21095 Filed 8-8-97; 8:45 am]
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