[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 16826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8325]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Chaparral 
and Scrub Community Species East of San Francisco Bay, CA, 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 of the Draft Recovery Plan for Chaparral and Scrub 
Community Species East of San Francisco Bay, California for public 
review. This draft recovery plan addresses six species, and includes 
recovery criteria and measures for one plant Arctostaphylos pallida 
(pallid manzanita) and one animal Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis 
lateralis euryxanthus) that are federally listed as threatened. In 
addition, four species of concern are addressed, three plants 
[Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp. laevigata (Contra Costa manzanita), 
Cordylanthus nidularius (Mt. Diablo bird's-beak), and Eriogonum 
truncatum (Mt. Diablo buckwheat)] and one animal (Berkeley kangaroo rat 
(Dipodomys heermanni berkeleyensis). The latter two are presumed 
extinct.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before August 5, 2003, to receive our consideration.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft recovery plan are available for 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
following location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and 
Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605, Sacramento, California 
(telephone: 916-414-6600). Requests for copies of the draft recovery 
plan and written comments and materials regarding this plan should be 
addressed to Wayne S. White, Field Supervisor, Ecological Services, at 
the above address. An electronic copy of this draft recovery plan will 
also be made available at http://www.r1.fws.gov/ecoservices/endangered/recovery/default.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Bell or Kirsten Tarp, Fish and 
Wildlife Biologists, at the above address, or at 916-414-6600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Recovery of 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 our endangered species program. To help 
guide the recovery effort, we are working to prepare recovery plans for 
most 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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act), 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 plan. 
Substantive comments regarding recovery plan implementation may not 
necessarily result in changes to the recovery plan, 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. Individual responses to comments will not be 
provided.
    The six species addressed in this draft recovery plan occur 
primarily in the chaparral and scrub habitats in a three county area 
east of the San Francisco Bay in California. All species addressed in 
the draft recovery plan are threatened by the loss, fragmentation, or 
degradation of chaparral habitat in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area. 
Therefore, areas currently, historically, or potentially occupied by 
the species are recommended for habitat protection and/or special 
management considerations.
    The objectives of this draft recovery plan are to:
    (1) Ameliorate the threats that caused Arctostaphylos pallida and 
Alameda whipsnake to be listed, and ameliorate any other newly 
identified threats in order to be able to delist these two federally 
listed species;
    (2) Ensure the long-term conservation of Arctostaphylos manzanita 
ssp. laevigata and Cordylanthus nidularius; and
    (3) Confirm the status of the two presumed extinct species of 
concern, Eriogonum truncatum and Berkeley kangaroo rat. If these 
species are not rediscovered, insights gained as to reasons for 
extirpation may assist in community restoration. If extant populations 
of these species are discovered, the ultimate goal would be to ensure 
their long-term conservation.

Public Comments Solicited

    We solicit written comments on the draft recovery plan described. 
All comments received by the date specified above will be considered in 
developing a final recovery plan.

Authority

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

    Dated: December 13, 2002.
Steve Thompson,
Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Region 1, Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8325 Filed 4-4-03; 8:45 am]
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