[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 184 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 58781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24386]



[[Page 58781]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XS00


Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans; Recovery Plan 
for the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, NMFS and USFWS, announce the availability of the Bi-
National Recovery Plan (Recovery Plan) for the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle 
(Lepidochelys kempii). The Recovery Plan is a bi-national plan 
developed by the NMFS and USFWS and the Secretary of Environment and 
Natural Resources, Mexico. The revised Recovery Plan includes specific 
recovery objectives and criteria to be met in order to down and delist 
this species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

ADDRESSES: The Bi-National Recovery Plan for the Kemp's Ridley Sea 
Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is available on the Internet at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/recovery/plans.htm or http://www.fws.gov/kempsridley/. Copies also may be obtained by contacting NMFS Office of 
Protected Resources 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13535, Silver Spring, 
MD 20910 or USFWS 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5837, Corpus Christi, TX 
78412.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Therese Conant (ph. 301-427-8456, fax 
301-713-0376) or Tom Shearer (ph. 361-994-9005, fax 361-994-8626).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability of the Recovery Plan

    Interested persons may obtain the Recovery Plan for review on the 
Internet at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/recovery/plans.htm or http://www.fws.gov/kempsridley/ or by contacting Therese Conant or Tom Shearer 
[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 Recovery Plan 
discusses the natural history, current status, and the known and 
potential threats to the Kemp's ridley. The Recovery Plan lays out a 
recovery strategy to address the potential threats based on the best 
available science and includes recovery goals and criteria. The 
Recovery Plan is not a regulatory action, but presents guidance for use 
by agencies and interested parties to assist in the recovery of Kemp's 
ridley turtles. The Recovery Plan identifies substantive actions needed 
to achieve recovery by addressing the threats to the species. Recovery 
of Kemp's ridleys has and will continue to be a long-term effort 
between the U.S. and Mexico and will require cooperation and 
coordination of Federal, state, local government agencies and 
nongovernment organizations.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: September 14, 2011.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24386 Filed 9-21-11; 8:45 am]
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