[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6765-6766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3232]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Star 
Cactus (Astrophytum asterias) 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 star cactus 
(Astrophytum asterias). This species occurs in the grasslands and 
thornshrub of the Rio Grande Plains of Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico. It 
is found on gravelly clays or loams overlaying the Tertiary Catahoula 
and Frio formations in the United States, and on soils of limestone 
origin overlaying Cenozoic to Mesozoic marine sediments in Tamaulipas. 
The historical range of star cactus included Cameron, Hidalgo, and 
Starr Counties in South Texas and the states of Nuevo Leon and 
Tamaulipas in Mexico. The cactus was historically and is still found on 
private lands and may also occur on State lands or highway right-of-
ways. The Service solicits review and comment from the public on this 
draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before May 11, 1998, to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may 
examine a copy by contacting Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Ecological Services Field Office, c/o TAMU-CC Campus Box 338, 
6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78412. Telephone (512) 994-
9005. Fax No. (512) 994-8262. Written comments and materials regarding 
the plan should also be addressed to the above address. Comments and 
materials received will be made available upon request for public 
inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the same 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (Corpus Christi) at (512) 994-9005.


[[Page 6766]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point 
where it is 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 
for reclassifying them from endangered to threatened status or removing 
them 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 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 star cactus was listed as an endangered species on November 17, 
1993. The primary objective of this recovery plan is to maintain 
sufficient star cactus populations in natural habitats to ensure that 
the species is safe from extinction. This species is threatened by 
habitat destruction and modification through conversion of native 
habitat to agricultural land uses and urban development; collection of 
wild plants for the cactus trade; competition with exotic grasses 
introduced for cattle forage and erosion control; and genetic 
vulnerability due to low population numbers. The Recovery Plan is the 
product of considerable biological and historical data developed by a 
team of scientists, agency personnel, stakeholders from the management 
community, conservation organizations, and the general public. It 
provides scientific information about the species and establishes 
management plans for the protection of native populations, and the 
development of new populations to enhance its range and abundance to 
the extent that no natural or man-caused disturbance will result in 
irrevocable losses.

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 plan.

Authority

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

    Dated: January 30, 1998.
Ren Loehefner,
Acting Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife service, Region 2.
[FR Doc. 98-3232 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]
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