[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57357-57358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21475]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Final Recovery Plan for the 
Threatened Guaj[oacute]n (Eleutherodactylus cooki)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability 
of the final recovery plan for the guaj[oacute]n (also referred to as 
the Puerto Rican demon). The guaj[oacute]n is one of sixteen species of 
frogs from the genus Eleutherodactylus (commonly known as 
``coqu[iacute]es'') that inhabit the island of Puerto Rico, and is also 
the second largest species found on the island. The guaj[oacute]n is 
extremely limited in its geographic distribution. The species inhabits 
localities in the ``Sierra de Panduras'' mountain range, and the 
municipalities of Yabucoa, San Lorenzo, Humacao, Las Piedras, and west 
to Patillas-San Lorenzo. The guaj[oacute]n, named after the habitat it 
occupies, occurs at low and intermediate elevations, from 18 to 1,183 
feet (5.5 to 360.6 meters) above sea level where it inhabits caves 
formed by large boulders of granite rock known as ``guajonales'' or 
streams with patches of rock without cave systems. The technical agency 
draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria 
to be met in order to delist the guaj[oacute]n under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We solicit review and comment on 
this technical agency draft recovery plan from local, State, and 
Federal agencies, and the public.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the recovery plan by contacting the 
Boquer[oacute]n Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 
491, Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico 00622 (telephone 787/851-7297), or by 
visiting our recovery plan Web site at http://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/index.html#plans.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jorge Saliva at the above address 
(Telephone 787/851-7297, ext. 24).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    We listed the guaj[oacute]n as threatened on June 11, 1997, under 
the Act (62 FR 31757). The guaj[oacute]n may be the only species of 
Eleutherodactylus in Puerto Rico that exhibits differences in color 
between sexes. Females have solid brown coloration, with a uniformly 
white undersurface. They have white-rimmed eyes, and large, truncate 
disks on their feet. Males have yellow coloration extending from the 
vocal sac to the abdomen and flanks. Females are larger than males, 
with a mean size (snout-vent length) of 2.01 inches (in) (5.11 
centimeters (cm)) for females and 1.71 in (4.34 cm) for males. The 
voice of the guaj[oacute]n is low and melodious.
    For this species, deforestation and earth movement for 
agricultural, urban and rural development, and highway construction are 
likely the principal causes for decline. In addition, the guaj[oacute]n 
is threatened by the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in 
adjacent areas, illegal garbage dumping, and the effects of 
catastrophic natural events such as droughts and hurricanes. Additional 
research is planned to look at these and other potential causes for 
decline.
    Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point 
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem is 
a primary goal of the endangered species program. To help guide the 
recovery effort, we are preparing recovery plans for most listed 
species. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for 
conservation of the species, establish criteria for downlisting or 
delisting, and estimate time and cost for implementing recovery 
measures.
    The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed 
species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a 
particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide a 
public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during 
recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented 
during a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised 
recovery plan. We and other Federal agencies will take these comments 
into account in the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
    The objective of this recovery plan is to provide a framework for 
the recovery of the guaj[oacute]n so that protection under the Act is 
no longer necessary. As

[[Page 57358]]

recovery criteria are met, the status of the species will be reviewed 
and they will be considered for removal from the Federal List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR part 17).

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533 (f).

    Dated: August 31, 2004.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Deputy Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 04-21475 Filed 9-23-04; 8:45 am]
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