[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76003-76004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27811]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Recovery Plan for Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta (Robust 
Spineflower)

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (``we'') announces the 
availability of the Recovery Plan for Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta 
(Robust Spineflower). This plant taxon is found along the central coast 
of California, primarily in Santa Cruz and Marin Counties. 
Historically, this plant also occurred in San Francisco, Alameda, Santa 
Clara, San Mateo, and Monterey Counties, California.

ADDRESSES: Copies of this recovery plan are available by request from 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 
2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, California 93003 (telephone: 805-
644-1766). An electronic copy of the recovery plan is also available 
at: http://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/index.html#plans.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Rutherford, Botanist, at the 
above Ventura 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 our 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 the recovery levels for downlisting or 
delisting them, and estimate time and cost for implementing the 
recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act (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. The Draft 
Recovery Plan for Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta was available for 
public comment from September 19, 2000, through November 20, 2000 (65 
FR 56590). Information presented during the public comment period has 
been considered in the preparation of this final recovery plan, and is 
summarized in Appendix C of the recovery plan. We will forward 
substantive comments regarding recovery plan implementation to 
appropriate Federal or other entities so they can take these comments 
into account in the course of implementing recovery actions.
    Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta was listed as endangered in 1994, 
and 190 hectares (469 acres) of critical habitat were designated in 
2002. Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta is restricted to sandy soils 
along the coast and near-coastal areas in Santa Cruz County, and from 
the Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California.
    Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta is threatened by urban 
development, recreational activities, and competition with non-native 
vegetation. In addition, some of the populations contain very

[[Page 76004]]

low numbers of individuals, which put them at great risk of extinction 
due to random naturally occurring (stochastic) events.
    The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the 
recovery of Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta so that protection by the 
Act is no longer necessary. Actions necessary to accomplish this 
objective include: (1) Protect existing habitat; (2) manage existing 
habitat through implementation plans; (3) conduct research on the 
taxonomy, ecology, biology, and management of Chorizanthe robusta var. 
robusta; (4) establish new populations within the historical range of 
the species; (5) review and revise recovery guidelines; and (6) develop 
and implement an outreach program to provide information to the public.

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

    Dated: August 23, 2004.
Steve Thompson,
Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27811 Filed 12-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P