[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58944-58945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22188]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Recovery Plan for Sidalcea oregana var. calva (Wenatchee 
Mountains Checker-mallow)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (we) announces the 
availability of the final Recovery Plan for Sidalcea oregana var. calva 
(Wenatchee Mountains Checker-mallow). This recovery plan describes the 
status of the species, recovery objectives and criteria, and 
conservation measures needed to lessen the threats faced by the plant 
and bring it to the point where it no longer needs Endangered Species 
Act (ESA) protection.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the recovery plan are available by request from 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Central Washington Field Office, 
215 Melody Lane, Suite 119, Wenatchee, Washington 98801 (telephone: 
509-665-3508). An electronic copy of this recovery plan is also 
available at http://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/index.html#plans.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim McCracken, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, at the above Wenatchee address and telephone number.

[[Page 58945]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants is a 
primary goal of the ESA and our endangered species program. Recovery 
means improvement of the status of listed species to the point at which 
listing is no longer required under the criteria set out in section 
4(a)(1) of the Act. Recovery plans describe actions considered 
necessary for the conservation of the species, establish criteria for 
downlisting or delisting listed species, and estimate time and cost for 
implementing the measures needed for recovery.
    The ESA requires the development of a recovery plan for endangered 
or threatened species unless such a plan would not promote the 
conservation of the species. Section 4(f) of the Act requires that 
public notice, and an opportunity for public review and comment, be 
provided during recovery plan development. The draft recovery plan for 
Sidalcea oregana var. calva was available for public comment from 
October 15, 2003, to December 15, 2003 (68 FR 59414). Information 
presented during the public comment period has been considered in the 
preparation of this final recovery plan and is summarized in the 
appendix to the recovery plan. We will forward substantive comments 
regarding recovery plan implementation to the appropriate Federal 
agencies or other entities so they can take these comments into account 
in the course of implementing recovery actions.
    Sidalcea oregana var. calva was listed as an endangered species on 
December 22, 1999 (64 FR 71680). This rare, attractive member of the 
mallow family (Malvaceae) is endemic to Chelan County, Washington, 
where it is found in wetlands and moist meadows of the Wenatchee 
Mountains. Just five populations are known, and four of these five 
number from only eight to a few hundred individuals. Populations occur 
on a mixture of private, State, and Federal lands. Critical habitat was 
designated for this species on September 6, 2001 (66 FR 46536).
    The primary threats to Sidalcea oregana var. calva include habitat 
fragmentation, degradation, or loss due to conversion of native 
wetlands to orchards and other agricultural uses; rural residential 
development and associated impacts; altered hydrology; competition from 
native and nonnative plants; recreational impacts; woody plant 
encroachment; and activities associated with fire suppression. To a 
lesser extent the species is threatened by livestock grazing, road 
construction, and timber harvesting and associated impacts including 
changes in surface runoff. The species is highly vulnerable to 
extirpation from demographic factors or random, naturally occurring 
events due to the very small size of most of the remaining populations.
    The primary objective of this recovery plan is to recover the plant 
to the point that it can be delisted under the ESA. Actions necessary 
to achieve this objective include: (1) Maintaining the current 
geographical distribution of the species through effective management 
and coordination with private landowners and other agencies; (2) 
identifying potential habitat and developing a sound protocol for 
reintroducing the species within its historical range; (3) conducting 
research and monitoring essential to the conservation of the species; 
(4) collecting seed representing the genetic diversity of the species 
across its range and storing it in a secure facility; (5) surveying to 
identify potential additional populations; and (6) developing outreach 
materials to provide information about the species, its habitat, and 
management recommendations to local landowners.

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

    Dated: July 22, 2004.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22188 Filed 9-30-04; 8:45 am]
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