[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 231 (Wednesday, December 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 66560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32052]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Final Revised Sonoran Pronghorn 
Recovery Plan

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability 
for public review of Final Revised Sonoran Pronghorn (Antilocapra 
americana sonoriensis) Recovery Plan which the Service listed as an 
endangered species on March 11, 1967 (32 FR 4001). This animal's 
population is estimated to be less than 300 in the United States and 
less than 500 in the State of Sonora, Mexico. Distribution is limited 
primarily to Sonoran desert habitats. Factors that limit population 
growth are not well understood. However, loss of habitat due to drying 
of extended reaches of the Gila and Sonoyta Rivers, competition from 
domestic livestock, and human encroachment are believed to be limiting 
factors. Illegal hunting and predation on fawns may also be limiting 
factors. Although the Service considers this document to be in its 
final form, the Service is interested in comments from interested 
parties. The Service will consider all comments and may decide to amend 
this document at a later date based upon input received and upon the 
results and proceedings of a Sonoran Pronghorn Workshop to be held 
tentatively during the last week of January 1999.

DATES: The Service will be open to written advice and comment on the 
Final Revised Recovery Plan through January 29, 1999. Additionally, in 
cooperation with the U.S. Marine Corps, the Service will co-sponsor a 
Sonoran Pronghorn Workshop tentatively during the last week in January 
1999. Parties interested in attending the Sonoran Pronghorn Workshop 
tentatively scheduled for the last week of January 1999, should contact 
Mr. Ron Pearce, Range Management Director, United States Marine Corps 
Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, at (520) 341-3401.

ADDRESSES: Address requests for copies of the document, comments on the 
Final Recovery Plan, or requests for more information to Laura 
Thompson-Olais, Ecologist, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, 1611 
North Second Avenue, Ajo, Arizona 85321.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife 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 conservation of the species, 
criteria for recognizing the recovery levels for down-listing or de-
listing them, and initial estimates of times and costs to implement the 
needed recovery measures.

Authority

    The Authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
    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 also take these comments into account in the 
course of implementing approved plans. The Service may also decide to 
amend the Plan if necessary.
    A recovery plan for Sonoran pronghorn was approved in 1982. 
Subsequent to the development of the original recovery plan, a large 
group of Sonoran proghorn were documented drinking free-standing water 
during the summer which verified their use of water. This and 
additional new information learned about the biology and ecology of the 
animal have necessitated revision of the original recovery plan.
    The availability of the draft revised Sonoran pronghorn recovery 
plan for review and comment was announced in the Federal Register on 
September 7, 1994. The revised plan, however, was never completed and 
further changes to the plan have been made since then. This notice 
gives the public another opportunity for review and comment before the 
final revised plan is approved.
    Recovery will focus on enhancing present populations, addressing 
expansion of presently used habitat, protecting present range and 
establishing a new separate herd of self-sustaining animals to guard 
against catastrophes decimating the core population.

    Dated: November 23, 1998.
Renne Lohoefener,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 98-32052 Filed 12-1-98; 8:45 am]
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