[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9166-9167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3345]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Plant 
Holy Ghost Ipomopsis 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 announces the draft Holy 
Ghost Ipomopsis (Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus) Recovery Plan is available 
for public review. This plant is known from only one site in the 
southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the Santa Fe National Forest in 
San Miguel County, New Mexico. We are soliciting review and comment 
from the public on this draft plan.

DATES: We must receive comments on the draft plan on or before April 
26, 1999 to ensure their consideration.

ADDRESSES: Anyone wanting a copy of the plan should contact the Field 
Supervisor, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 2105 Osuna, NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113 
(Telephone 505/346-2525). Written comments on the plan and other 
materials should be sent to the Field Supervisor at the above address. 
Comments and materials received are available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles B. McDonald, Botanist, at the 
address and telephone number (Ext. 112) given above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    A primary goal of the endangered species program is to restore 
endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point where they are 
again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems. To help 
guide recovery, we prepare recovery plans for most endangered or 
threatened species native to the United States. Recovery plans describe 
needed conservation actions for the species, time and cost estimates 
for the actions, and recovery goals for downlisting or delisting.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) requires that each endangered or threatened species be 
included in a recovery plan unless a plan would not promote a species' 
conservation. Section 4(f) of the Act as amended in 1988 requires the 
public be notified and given

[[Page 9167]]

an opportunity to review and comment on draft recovery plans. We 
consider all information presented during the comment period prior to 
approving any new or revised recovery plan. We and other Federal 
agencies also consider these comments when implementing approved 
recovery plans.
    Holy Ghost ipomopsis was given endangered status under the Act on 
March 23, 1994 (59 FR 13840). It is known from a single canyon in the 
Santa Fe National Forest in northwestern San Miguel County, New Mexico. 
An estimated 2,500 plants occupy about 80 hectares (200 acres) along a 
U.S. Forest Service road. Impacts from road maintenance, recreation, 
and catastrophic forest fire are immediate management concerns. In the 
long term, present land uses influence management away from frequent 
disturbances that produce the preferred habitat for this species.
    Recovery will focus on protecting and enhancing the existing 
population. Additional recovery work will include research to determine 
the biological and ecological requirements of the species, 
establishment of a botanical garden population and a seed bank, and 
establishment of seven more populations in suitable habitat in the 
upper Pecos River Basin.

Public Comments Solicited

    We are soliciting written comments on the draft Holy Ghost 
Ipomopsis Recovery Plan. 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: February 3, 1999.
Lynn B. Starnes,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-3345 Filed 2-23-99; 8:45 am]
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