[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 5813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2678]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice to Extend the Public Comment Period for the Draft Recovery 
Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of public comment period.

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

SUMMARY: The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice that the 
comment period announced in the September 30, 1997, notice of 
availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San 
Joaquin Valley, California, will be extended an additional 60 days 
until March 29, 1998. The Service experienced difficulty in 
distributing copies of the draft plan. This recovery plan includes 34 
species, of which 11 species are federally listed as endangered or 
threatened. The draft plan includes recovery criteria and measures for 
the plants--California jewelflower (Caulanthus californicus), palmate-
bracted bird's-beak (Cordylanthus palmatus), Kern mallow (Eremalche 
kernensis), Hoover's woolly-star (Eriastrum hooveri), San Joaquin 
woolly-threads (Lembertia congdonii), Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia 
basilaris var. treleasei); and the animals--giant kangaroo rat 
(Dipodomys ingens), Fresno kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides exilis), 
Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), blunt-nosed 
leopard lizard (Gambelia sila), and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes 
macrotis mutica). Long-term conservation of three candidate species, 
the Buena Vista Lake shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus), the riparian brush 
rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius), and riparian woodrat (Neotoma 
fuscipes riparia); and an additional 20 species of plants and animals 
of concern to the Service are addressed in the draft recovery plan. The 
Service extends the current 120-day comment period and solicits review 
and comment from the public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by March 29, 1998 
will be considered by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 130, Sacramento, 
California 95821-6340. Telephone requests may be made by calling 916/
979-2725.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Miller 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 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered 
species program. To help guide the recovery effort, 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 the species, establish criteria for the recovery levels 
necessary to reclassify them from endangered to threatened or remove 
them from the list, and estimate the time and cost for implementing 
needed recovery measures.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) requires development of recovery plans for listed species 
unless such a plan would not promote 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.
    The 34 species of plants and animals covered in the draft recovery 
plan are restricted primarily to the San Joaquin Valley of California. 
The majority of the species occur in arid grasslands and scrublands of 
the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent foothills and valleys. The riparian 
woodrat and riparian brush rabbit inhabit forested river corridors of 
the eastern San Joaquin Valley. Conversion of habitat to agricultural, 
industrial, and urban uses has eliminated the listed candidate, and 
species of concern from the majority of their historic ranges. The 
remaining natural communities are highly fragmented, and many are 
marginal habitats in which these species may not persist during 
catastrophic events, such as fire or drought.
    The objectives of this recovery plan are two-fold: (1) To delist 
the plants--California jewelflower, palmate-bracted bird's-beak, Kern 
mallow, Hoover's woolly-star, San Joaquin woolly-threads, Bakersfield 
cactus; and the animals--giant kangaroo rat, Fresno kangaroo rat, 
Tipton kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and San Joaquin kit 
fox by protecting, enhancing, restoring, and appropriately managing 
their habitat; and (2) to ensure the long-term conservation of the 
three candidates and additional 20 species of concern by protecting, 
enhancing, restoring, and appropriately managing their habitat.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the 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: January 26, 1998.
David L. McMullen,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 98-2678 Filed 2-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P