[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 42 (Thursday, March 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 11340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5073]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of Draft Conservation Strategy for the Grizzly Bear 
in the Yellowstone Ecosystem

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announces the 
availability for public review of the Draft Conservation Strategy for 
the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) in the Yellowstone 
Ecosystem. The Conservation Strategy is the management plan for the 
grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem that will be used when the 
population is recovered and delisted. Completion of the Conservation 
Strategy is a task in the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. We solicit review 
and comment from the public on this draft information.

DATES: Comments on the draft supplemental information must be received 
on or before May 31, 2000 to ensure that they will be received in time 
for our consideration prior to finalization of the document.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Conservation Strategy 
may obtain a copy by contacting the Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University Hall, Room 309, University 
of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812. The document also is available for 
viewing and downloading at: http://www.r6.fws.gov/endspp/grizzly/>. 
Written comments and materials regarding this information should be 
sent to the Recovery Coordinator at the address given above, or can be 
mailed electronically to [email protected]>. Comments and materials 
received are available on request for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Christopher Servheen, Grizzly Bear 
Recovery Coordinator (see ADDRESSES above), at telephone (406) 243-
4903.

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 our endangered species program. Recovery plans 
guide the recovery efforts for listed species native to the United 
States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for 
conservation of the species, establish criteria for recovery levels for 
downlisting or delisting them, and estimate time and cost for 
implementing the recovery measures needed.
    Under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we approved the revised Grizzly Bear 
Recovery Plan on September 10, 1993.
    The grizzly bear was listed under the Act as a threatened species 
in the 48 conterminous States on July 28, 1995 (40 FR 31734). Threats 
to grizzly bear populations come primarily from habitat modification 
caused by human activities and from direct bear/human conflicts 
resulting from recreational and resource use activities, highway and 
railroad corridors, illegal mortality, etc. The grizzly bear population 
in each of the ecosystems included in the Plan can be delisted 
independently once recovery criteria stated in the Plan are met.
    The Plan provides that prior to delisting of the grizzly bear 
population in each ecosystem a conservation strategy will be developed 
and implemented that outlines all habitat and regulatory mechanisms 
that will be in force after recovery of that population.
    The Yellowstone Ecosystem Draft Conservation Strategy is now 
available for review and comment.

Public Comments Solicited

    We solicit written comments on the supplemental information 
described above. All comments received by the date specified in the 
DATES section above will be considered prior to finalization of the 
strategy.

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

    Dated: February 15, 2000.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado
[FR Doc. 00-5073 Filed 3-1-00; 8:45 am]
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