[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 172 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47041-47042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23585]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Western Lily 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 (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a draft Western Lily Recovery Plan. 
The species occurs on the Pacific Coast from Coos Bay, Oregon, to 
Eureka, California.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before October 6, 1997 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft recovery plan are available for 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
following locations: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State 
Office 2600 S.E. 98th Ave., Suite 100 Portland, Oregon 97266-1398. 
Requests for copies of the draft recovery plan and written comments and 
materials regarding this plan should be addressed to Russell D. 
Peterson, State Supervisor, at the above Oregon State Office address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Andrew F. Robinson Jr., Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above 
Oregon State Office address, telephone (503) 231-6179.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point 
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems is a primary goal of the 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 actions considered necessary for 
the conservation of the species, establish criteria for the recovery 
levels for down listing or delisting them, and estimate time and cost 
for implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
(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 as amended in 1988 requires that 
public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment be 
provided during recovery

[[Page 47042]]

plan development. The Service will consider all information presented 
during the public comment period prior to approval of each new or 
revised Recovery Plan. Substantiative technical comments will result in 
changes to the plans. Substantive comments regarding recovery plan 
implementation may not necessarily result in changes to the recovery 
plans, but will be forwarded to appropriate Federal or other entities 
so that they can take these comments into account during the course of 
implementing recovery actions. Individualized responses to comments 
will not be provided.
    The western lily (Lilium occidentale) is a distinctive and 
spectacular species in a genus known for its striking beauty and 
horticultural appeal. The range of the western lily is very limited, 
and its habitat and ecosystem processes have been dramatically altered 
this century. The western lily is limited to low lying poorly drained 
areas along a narrow band of the Pacific Coast, no more than 4 miles 
inland, from Humboldt Bay near Eureka, California on the south, north 
some 200 miles to Coos Bay Oregon. Many western lily western lily 
populations and much of its habitat have been lost to various forms of 
development, including agricultural uses (pasture or cranberry bogs) 
and infrastructure projects (roads, campgrounds, and utilities). 
Western lily has been reported from approximately 58 sites, 20 of which 
appear to have been extirpated.
    The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the 
recovery of the western lily so that its protection by the ESA is no 
longer necessary. Actions necessary for the prevention of extinction of 
this plant include conservation and management of existing sites, by 
maintaining shrubby vegetation with openings and preventing 
encroachment by trees. The plan also recommends establishment of a seed 
bank and development of methods to reintroduce the plant to suitable 
sites or augment existing wild populations. The plan also is intended 
to encourage public awareness, understanding and participation in 
western lily recovery.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the western lily recovery 
plan. All comments received by the date specified above will be 
considered prior to approval of these plans.

Authority

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

    Dated: August 5, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1, 
Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-23585 Filed 9-4-97; 8:45 am]
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