[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44484-44485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22148]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Pedate 
Checkermallow (Sidalcea Pedata) and the Slender-Petaled Mustard 
(Thelypodium Stenopetalum) for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability for 
public review of a draft recovery plan for two plant species endemic to 
montane meadow habitat in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern 
California. Both Sidalcea pedata (Pedate Checkermallow) and Thelypodium 
stenopetalum (Slender-petaled Mustard) were listed by the Service as 
endangered on August 31, 1984 (49 FR 34500). In addition, each species 
was listed as endangered by the State of California (California 
Department of Fish and Game) in 1989.
    The Service solicits review and comment from the public on this 
plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by October 20, 1997 
will be considered 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 Field 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: Douglas Krofta 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. 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.
    Both plant species addressed in the draft recovery plan are endemic 
to the Big Bear Valley region of the San

[[Page 44485]]

Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. Each species 
occurs on Federal, State, and private lands. Sidalcea pedata is a 
several stemmed perennial 2-4 decimeters tall and Thelypodium 
stenopetalum is a simple-stemmed biennial 3-8 decimeters tall. The 
plant species occur as components in moist to wet montane meadow 
habitat associated with swales, drainages and the shores of Big Bear 
and Baldwin Lakes. Although commercial and residential development is 
considered the primary threat to the two species, changes in surface 
hydrology, recreational activities and livestock grazing also threaten 
these species. Protection and management of the species' 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: August 15, 1997.
David L. McMullen,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-22148 Filed 8-20-97; 8:45 am]
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