[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 105 (Friday, May 30, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31066-31067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12132]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

RIN 0648-XI12


Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans; Recovery Plan 
for the Northwest Atlantic Population of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle

AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce; Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFWS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, NMFS and USFWS, announce the availability for public 
review of the draft Recovery Plan (Plan) for the Northwest Atlantic 
Population of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta). We are 
soliciting review and comment on the Plan from the public and all 
interested parties, including state and local governments, and national 
governments beyond the U.S. whose actions may contribute to the 
conservation and recovery of the loggerhead turtle in the Northwest 
Atlantic. We will consider all substantive comments received during the 
review period before submitting the Plan for final approval.

[[Page 31067]]


DATES: Comments on the draft Plan must be received by close of business 
on July 29, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send comments by any one of the following methods.
    (1) Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic comments via e-
mail to: [email protected]. Include in the subject line of the e-mail 
the following identifier: Comments on Northwest Atlantic Loggerhead 
Recovery Plan. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
    (2) Mail: NMFS National Sea Turtle Coordinator, Attn: Draft 
Loggerhead Recovery Plan, Office of Protected Resources, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13657, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910 or USFWS National Sea Turtle Coordinator, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, 
Jacksonville, FL 32216.
    (3) Fax: 301-713-0376, Attn: NMFS National Sea Turtle Coordinator.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Schroeder (ph. 301-713-1401, 
fax 301-713-0376) or Sandy MacPherson (ph. 904-232-2580).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability of the Draft Recovery Plan

    Interested persons may obtain the Plan for review on the Internet 
at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/recovery/plans.htm or http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/SeaTurtles/loggerhead-recovery/default-loggerhead.htm or by contacting Barbara Schroeder or Sandy MacPherson 
[see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT].

Background

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (15 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
requires that NMFS and USFWS develop and implement recovery plans for 
the conservation and survival of threatened and endangered species 
under their 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 threats to 
the loggerhead turtle in the Northwest Atlantic. The Plan lays out a 
recovery strategy to address the potential threats based on the best 
available science and includes recovery goals and criteria. The Plan is 
not a regulatory action, but presents guidance for use by agencies and 
interested parties to assist in the recovery of loggerhead turtles. The 
Plan identifies substantive actions needed to achieve recovery by 
addressing the threats to the species. Recovery of loggerhead turtles 
in the Northwest Atlantic is a long-term effort and will require 
cooperation and coordination of Federal, state, and local government 
agencies, and the community, as well as international cooperation. NMFS 
and USFWS will consider all substantive comments and information 
presented during the public comment period in the course of finalizing 
this Plan.

    Dated: May 20, 2008.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Marine 
Service.

    Dated: May 9, 2008.
Franklin J. Arnold III,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E8-12132 Filed 5-29-08; 8:45 am]
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