[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 81 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21008-21009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10378]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Howell's 
Spectacular Thelypody (Thelypodium howellii ssp. spectabilis) for 
Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the 
Howell's spectacular thelypody (Thelypodium howellii ssp. spectabilis). 
This threatened plant, a member of the mustard family, occurs on fewer 
than 12 small sites located within 100 acres of private lands near 
North Powder and Haines in eastern Oregon (Baker and Union Counties).

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by June 25, 2001, 
will be considered by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft recovery plan are available for 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
following location: Snake River Basin Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 368, Boise, Idaho 83709 (phone: 
208/378-5243). Requests for copies of the draft recovery plan and 
written comments and materials regarding this plan should be addressed 
to Robert Ruesink, Field Supervisor, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edna Vizgirdas, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, at the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    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, we are 
working to prepare recovery plans for most of the listed species native 
to the United States. Recovery plans describe actions considered 
necessary for the conservation of the species, establish criteria for 
downlisting or delisting listed species, and estimate time and cost for 
implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (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 requires that public notice 
and an opportunity for public review and comment be provided during 
recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented 
during the public comment period prior to approval of each new or 
revised recovery plan. Substantive technical comments will result in 
changes to the plans. Substantive comments regarding recovery plan 
implementation may not necessarily result in changes to the recovery 
plans, but will be forwarded to appropriate Federal or other entities 
so that they can take these comments into account during the course of 
implementing recovery actions.
    The Howell's spectacular thelypody was listed as a threatened 
species on June 25, 1999. This taxon is endemic to the Baker-Powder 
River Valley in

[[Page 21009]]

eastern Oregon. It is currently found in five populations in Baker and 
Union Counties, Oregon. It formerly also occurred in the Willow Creek 
Valley in Malheur County. The species grows in alkaline meadows in 
valley bottoms, usually in and around shrubs such as greasewood or 
rabbitbrush. The plants are threatened by habitat modification such as 
grazing during spring and early summer, trampling, urban development, 
and competition from non-native plants.
    The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the 
recovery of the Howell's spectacular thelypody so that protection by 
the Endangered Species Act is no longer necessary. Recovery is 
contingent upon protecting and managing the thelypody's habitat to 
maintain and enhance viable populations of the thelypody.
    The Howell's spectacular thelypody will be considered for delisting 
when: (1) At least five stable or increasing thelypody populations are 
distributed throughout its extant or historic range and populations 
must be naturally reproducing with stable or increasing trends for 10 
years; (2) all five populations are located on permanently protected 
sites; (3) management plans have been developed and implemented for 
each site that specifically provide for the protection of thelypody and 
its habitat; and (4) a post-delisting monitoring plan is in place that 
will monitor the status of thelypody for at least 5 years at each site.

Public Comments Solicited

    We solicit written comments on the recovery plan described. All 
comments received by the date specified above will be considered prior 
to approval of this plan.

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

    Dated: February 6, 2001.
Rowan W. Gould,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10378 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
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