[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 123 (Monday, June 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 39369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16112]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 052400C]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Availability for the 
Draft Recovery Plan for Johnson's Seagrass

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft recovery plan; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of the draft recovery plan for 
Johnson's seagrass (Halophila johnsonii), a marine plant listed as 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NMFS is soliciting 
review and comment from the public on the draft plan, and will consider 
these comments in the preparation of a final recovery plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received no later 
than 5 p.m., Eastern standard time, on August 25, 2000.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the draft recovery plan is available from Layne 
Bolen, Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive 
North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2439. Comments may also be sent via 
facsimile (fax) to 727-570-5517, but they will not be accepted if 
submitted via e-mail or Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Layne Bolen at 850-234-6541 ext 237, 
Dr. Judson Kenworthy at 252-728-8750, or Marta Nammack at 301-713-1401 
ext 116, or send a request via electronic mail to jsg.info@noaa.gov">jsg.info@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Johnson's seagrass, H. johnsonii, is a marine plant species found 
growing along approximately 200 km of coastline in southeastern Florida 
between Sebastian Inlet and north Biscayne Bay. It is listed as 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). H. johnsonii is the 
first marine plant to be listed under the ESA. The ESA requires NMFS to 
develop and implement recovery plans for most species.
    The draft recovery plan contains a synopsis of the biology and 
distribution of Johnson's seagrass, a description of factors affecting 
species recovery, an outline of actions needed to recover the species, 
and an implementation schedule for completing the recovery tasks.

Public Comments Solicited

    NMFS intends that the final recovery plan will take advantage of 
information and recommendations from all interested parties. Therefore, 
comments and suggestions are solicited from the public, other concerned 
governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, and any 
other person interested in the development of the recovery plan.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531-1543 et seq.

    Dated: June 19, 2000.
Penelope D. Dalton,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-16112 Filed 6-23-00; 8:45 am]
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