[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 49418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13975]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 081606B]


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 U.S. Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of smalltooth 
sawfish (Pristis pectinata). NMFS is soliciting review and comments 
from the public and all interested parties on the draft 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 October 23, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Smalltooth Sawfish Coordinator. 
Comments may be submitted by:
     E-mail: [email protected], 
include in the subject line the following document identifier: 
Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Plan. E-mail comments, with or without 
attachments, are limited to 5 megabytes;
     Smalltooth Sawfish Coordinator, NMFS, Southeast Regional 
Office, Protected Resources Division, 263 13th Avenue South, St. 
Petersburg, Florida 33071; or
     Fax: (727) 824-5309. Interested persons may obtain the 
Plan for review from the above address or on-line from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/recovery/plans.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shelley Norton, (727) 824-5312, or by 
e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (15 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; ESA) 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. Section 
4(f) of the ESA, as amended in 1988, requires that public notice and 
opportunity to review and comment be provided during recovery plan 
development.
    The U.S. DPS of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) was listed 
as endangered under the ESA on April 1, 2003 (68 FR 15680) subsequent 
to a 1999 listing petition from The Ocean Conservancy (formerly the 
Center for Marine Conservation). Smalltooth sawfish were once prevalent 
throughout Florida and were commonly encountered from Texas to North 
Carolina. Currently, smalltooth sawfish can only be found with any 
regularity in south Florida between the Caloosahatchee River and the 
Florida Keys.
    The draft recovery plan for the U.S. DPS of smalltooth sawfish was 
prepared for NMFS by the smalltooth sawfish recovery team. The team is 
composed of nine members from Federal, State, non-governmental, and 
non-profit organizations. The goal of the recovery plan is to rebuild 
and assure the long-term viability of the U.S. DPS of smalltooth 
sawfish in the wild, allowing initially for reclassification from 
endangered to threatened status (downlisting) and ultimately to 
recovery and subsequent removal from the List of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife (delisting). NMFS will consider all substantive 
comments and information presented during the public comment period in 
the course of finalizing this Plan.

    Dated: August 17, 2006.
Maria Boroja,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-13975 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am]
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