[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 154 (Monday, August 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 43003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21095]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Inyo California 
Towhee of the Southern Argus Range, Inyo County, California, for Review 
and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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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 threatened Inyo 
California towhee. The Service solicits review and comment from the 
public on this draft recovery plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before October 10, 1997.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the draft recovery plan can be obtained from the 
Fish and Wildlife Service's Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 
Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, California, 93003, phone 805/644-1766. 
Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed 
to the Field Supervisor at the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office. 
Comments and materials received are available on request for public 
inspection by appointment at the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Mesta in the Ventura Fish and 
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered 
species program. To help guide recovery efforts, the Service prepares 
recovery plans for most of the listed species native to the United 
States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for 
conservation of listed species, establish criteria for the recovery 
levels for reclassification from endangered to threatened or removal 
from the list, and estimate the time and cost for implementing the 
needed recovery measures.
    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 that public notice and an opportunity for public review and 
comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service will 
consider all information presented during a public comment period prior 
to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other 
Federal agencies will take these comments into account in the course of 
implementing approved recovery plans.
    Inyo California towhees are restricted in range and number and 
therefore, are susceptible to habitat destruction and degradation. The 
recovery strategy for this subspecies will focus on the elimination of 
threats to all known habitats and the rehabilitation of those that have 
been degraded or destroyed. The draft recovery plan describes tasks 
that, when accomplished, should ensure the continued existence of the 
Inyo California towhee, and thereby justify its removal from the 
endangered and threatened species list. The draft recovery plan was 
developed in cooperation with the principle affected agencies: 
California Department of Fish and Game, Bureau of Land Management, and 
the Navy.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the draft recovery plan 
described herein. All comments received by the date specified above 
will be considered prior to 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: June 17, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 97-21095 Filed 8-8-97; 8:45 am]
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