[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 160 (Tuesday, August 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 44133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21883]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for Point Arena 
Mountain Beaver (California) for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability 
for public review of a draft recovery plan for the Point Arena mountain 
beaver (Aplodontia rufa nigra (Rafinesque)) listed as an endangered 
species on December 12, 1991 (50 FR 64716). The Point Arena mountain 
beaver occurs western Mendocino County, California. The Service 
solicits review and comment from the public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by October 20, 
1997, will be considered by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 3310 El Camino 
Avenue, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95821. Written comments and 
material regarding the plan should be addressed to the Field Supervisor 
at the above address. Comments and materials received are available on 
request for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Karen Miller, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, at 916/979-2725 (see ADDRESSES).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened plant or animal to the point 
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem is 
a primary goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered 
species program. To help guide the recovery effort, the Service is 
working to prepare recovery plans for most of the listed species native 
to the United States. Recovery plans describe the site specific 
management actions considered necessary for conservation and survival 
of the species, establish objectives, and measurable criteria for the 
recovery levels for downlisting or delisting species, and estimate time 
and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) 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, as amended in 1988, 
requires the public notice and an opportunity for public review and 
comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service, and 
other affected Federal agencies will take these comments into account 
in the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
    The Point Arena mountain beaver is endemic to western Mendocino 
County, where 24 separate occurrences are known. Management issues and 
concerns include elimination or degradation of habitat from land 
development, grazing, timber harvest and invasion by alien plant 
species. Direct threats to the species may include predation by 
household pets and feral animals, poisoning, genetic isolation and 
drift, and possible sensitivity to disturbance.
    The Point Arena mountain beaver draft recovery plan was developed 
by selected experts on the biology of the species and has been reviewed 
by the appropriate Service staff in Region 1. The plan will be made 
final and approved following incorporation of comments and material 
received during this comment period.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the draft recovery plan 
described. All biological comments received by the date specified above 
will be considered prior to the approval of the plan.

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

    Dated: July 15, 1997
David L. McMullen,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-21883 Filed 8-18-97; 8:45 am]
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