[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 129 (Thursday, July 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38385-38386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10559]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 061606B]


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 Recovery Plan (Plan) for 
the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). 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, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS. Comments may be 
submitted by: (1) E-mail: [email protected], include in 
the subject line the following document identifier: Sperm Whale 
Recovery Plan. E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are 
limited to 5 megabytes; (2) Mail to: 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

[[Page 38386]]

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. This Plan discusses 
the natural history, current status, and the known and potential human 
impacts to sperm 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 sperm 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. E6-10559 Filed 7-5-06; 8:45 am]
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