[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 8188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3789]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Recommended Year 2000 Survey Protocol 
for the Endangered Quino Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha 
quino)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; survey protocol.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability of its recommended survey protocol for the 2000 field 
season for determining the presence/absence of the endangered Quino 
checkerspot butterfly. Using information gathered during 1999, we 
revised the ``Survey Protocol for the Endangered Quino Checkerspot 
Butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) for the 1999 Field Season'' dated 
January 25, 1999. The current recommended protocol entitled ``Year 2000 
Survey Protocol for the Endangered Quino Checkerspot Butterfly 
(Euphydryas editha quino)'' incorporates those modifications found to 
be appropriate, and replaces the 1999 protocol. We will annually review 
and modify this survey protocol as needed to ensure that the best 
scientific information is incorporated into the prescribed methodology.

DATES: Data and comments on the year 2000 survey protocol received by 
August 4, 2000, will be considered in the development of the 2001 
survey protocol.

ADDRESSES: Copies of this protocol may be obtained from the Service's 
Region 1 World Wide Web Home Page at http://www.r1.fws.gov/text/quino.html or from the Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife 
Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008. Comments 
and materials concerning the survey protocol should be sent to the 
Field Supervisor at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Kehoe at the above address 
(telephone 760-431-9440, fax 760-431-9618).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The quino checkerspot butterfly was listed as an endangered species 
on January 16, 1997 (62 FR 2313) as result of loss and degradation of 
habitat, invasion by alien species, overgrazing, fires, poorly planned 
fire management practices, and off-road vehicle use. The historic range 
of the quino checkerspot butterfly extended from the Santa Monica 
Mountains east and south along the foothills of the Transverse and 
Peninsular Ranges in California, and south into Baja California, 
Mexico. Adults have been found from sea level to approximately 1,500 
meters (5,000 feet) and populations can be found today in southern San 
Diego and southwestern Riverside Counties, California. Quino 
checkerspot butterflies can be observed from mid-February to mid-May, 
depending on weather. Quino checkerspot butterflies are generally 
associated with sage scrub, open chaparral, grasslands, and vernal 
pools; especially open or sparsely vegetated areas, hilltops and 
ridgelines, rocky outcrops, trails, and dirt roads.
    We are seeking additional information to increase our understanding 
of Quino checkerspot butterfly ecology and biology throughout the 
species' range. We intend to annually review and modify as necessary 
the recommended survey protocol to ensure that the best scientific 
information is incorporated into the prescribed methodology. Therefore, 
data and comments on the year 2000 survey protocol that we receive by 
August 4, 2000, will be considered in the development of the 2001 quino 
survey protocol.

    Dated: February 10, 2000.
Elizabeth H. Stevens,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. 00-3789 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]
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