[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 2997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1232]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of the Technical/Agency Draft Recovery 
Plan for the Spruce-Fir Moss Spider for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Document availability and public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of the technical/agency draft recovery 
plan for the spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga). 
Historically, at least five different mountain peaks in the Southern 
Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee 
are known to have supported populations of the spruce-fir moss spider. 
Today, however, only two small relict populations of the spider are 
known to survive--one on Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and one 
on Mount LeConte in Tennessee. The typical habitat of the spruce-fir 
moss spider is found in well-drained moss mats growing on rocks and 
boulders in well-shaded situations in mature high-elevation conifer 
forests dominated by Fraser fir (Abier fraseri) and scattered red 
spruce (Picea rubens). These factors are deteriorating rapidly, 
primarily due to infestation and the resulting mortality of the fir by 
the balsam woolly adelgid (an exotic insect pest) and possibly air 
population and other factors now yet fully understood. The spider 
requires situations of high and constant humidity, and the loss of 
forest canopy, leading to increased light and decreased moisture on the 
forest floor (resulting in desiccation of the moss mats), appears to be 
the major threat to its continued existence. Unless new populations are 
found or reestablished and existing population are maintained, this 
species will remain in jeopardy of extinction for the foreseeable 
future. The Service solicits review and comments from the public on 
this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on this technical/agency draft recovery plan must be 
received on or before March 23, 1998 to receive consideration by the 
Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the technical/agency draft 
recovery plan may obtain a copy by contacting the Asheville Field 
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, 
North Carolina 28801 (Telephone 704/258-3939). Written comments and 
materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the Field 
Supervisor at the above address. Comments and materials received are 
available on request for public inspection, by appointment, during 
normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Fridell, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, at the address and telephone number shown in the Addresses 
section (Ext. 225).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point 
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems is a primary goal of the 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 
the conservation of the species, establish criteria for recognizing the 
recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and estimate time 
and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 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 a 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 also take these comments into account in the 
course of implementing approved recovery plans.
    The primary species considered in this draft recovery plan is the 
spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga). The area of emphasis 
for recovery actions includes the Southern Appalachian Mountains of 
western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Habitat protection, 
reintroduction, and the preservation of genetic material are the major 
objectives of this recovery plan.

Public Comments Solicited

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

Authority

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

    Dated: January 6, 1998.
Brian P. Cole,
State Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 98-1232 Filed 1-16-98; 8:45 am]
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