[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44115-44116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21092]


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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 extension of comment deadline.

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SUMMARY: On July 11, 2001, NMFS published notification of the 
availability of the draft Recovery Plan (Plan) for the western North 
Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) for review and comment by 
interested parties prior to preparing the final plan for approval and 
adoption by NMFS. By this notice, NMFS announces an extension of the 
comment deadline.

DATES: Comments must be postmarked no later than October 25, 2001. 
Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or the Internet.

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 or 
faxed to 301/713-0376. 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 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.
    On July 11, 2001 (66 FR 36260), NMFS published the draft Recovery 
Plan to be available for review and receive comments by September 10, 
2001. By this notice, the comment period is hereby extended until 
October 25, 2001.


[[Page 44116]]


    Dated: August 15, 2001.
Wanda L. Cain,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21092 Filed 8-21-01; 8:45 am]
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