[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 36260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17367]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 070301D]


Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Draft Recovery Plan for the Western 
North Atlantic Right Whale

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

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The draft Recovery Plan (Plan) for the western North Atlantic 
right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is available for review and comment 
by interested parties prior to preparing the final plan for approval 
and adoption by NMFS.

DATES: Comments on the draft Plan must be received on or before 
September 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Coordinator of Large Whale 
Recovery Activities, Marine Mammal Division, Office of Protected 
Resources (F/PR), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. A 
copy of the draft plan for the North Atlantic right whale is available 
upon request from F/PR, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory K. Silber, Ph.D., NMFS, F/PR, 
301/713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    The draft plans are also available through the internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR3/recovery.html.

Background

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
requires that NMFS develop and implement recovery plans for the 
conservation and survival of threatened and endangered species under 
its jurisdiction unless it is determined that such plans will not 
promote the conservation of the species. In 1991, NMFS issued the first 
recovery plan for northern right whales. NMFS, in consultation with key 
constituent groups and organizations, has prepared an updated draft 
plan for right whales in the North Atlantic ocean. The plan discusses 
the natural history, current status, and the known and potential human 
impacts to right whales. Actions needed to promote the recovery of this 
species are identified and discussed. A Final Recovery Plan will be 
used to direct U.S. activities, and to encourage international 
cooperation to promote the recovery of these endangered species.

    Dated: July 6, 2001.
Wanda L. Cain,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-17367 Filed 7-10-01; 8:45 am]
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