[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 129 (Thursday, July 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 38385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10558]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 061606A]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the 
availability for public review of the draft updated Recovery Plan 
(Plan) for the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). NMFS is soliciting 
review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the 
Plan, and will consider all substantive comments received during the 
review period before submitting the Plan for final approval.

DATES: Comments on the draft Plan must be received by close of business 
on September 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species 
Division, Protected Resources Division, NMFS. Comments may be submitted 
by: (1) E-mail: [email protected], include in the subject 
line the following document identifier: Fin Whale Recovery Plan. E-mail 
comments, with or without attachments, are limited to 5 megabytes; (2) 
Chief, Endangered Species Division, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD, 20910; (3) Fax: (301) 427 2523. Interested persons may 
obtain the Plan for review from the above address or on-line from 
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica DeAngelis, (562-980-3232), e-
mail [email protected]; or Shannon Bettridge, (301-713-2322 
ext. 141), e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (15 
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 
would not promote the conservation of the species. Accordingly, NMFS 
provided a contract for preparation of a draft Recovery Plan for fin 
and sei (Balaenoptera borealis) whales that was released for public 
comment and review in 1998 (63 FR 41802). The draft Recovery Plan for 
the fin and sei whale was never finalized. NMFS has since determined 
that the recovery plans for the fin and sei whales should be separated. 
This Plan updates the 1998 Recovery Plan's information for the fin 
whale and discusses the natural history, current status, and the known 
and potential human impacts to fin whales. Actions needed to promote 
the recovery of this species are identified and discussed. The Plan 
will be used to direct U.S. activities, and to encourage international 
cooperation to promote the recovery of this endangered species. NMFS' 
goal is to restore endangered fin whale populations to the point where 
they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems, and 
no longer need the protections of the ESA. NMFS will consider all 
substantive comments and information presented during the public 
comment period in the course of finalizing this Plan.

    Dated: June 29, 2006.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-10558 Filed 7-5-06; 8:45 am]
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