Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Notices 50399

delisting them, and initial estimates of

times and costs to implement the

recovery measures needed.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973,

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 a 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. Substantive technical

comments will result in changes to the

plan.

Substantive comments regarding

recovery plan implementation may not

necessarily result in changes to the

recovery plan, 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 species being considered in this

recovery plan is the Micronesian

megapode (Megapodius laperouse

laperouse). This forest bird was

historically widespread throughout the

Mariana islands archipelago and found

on all the islands except Farrallon de

Medinilla. The extinction of birds in

Micronesia began 2000 to 4000 years

ago with the arrival of aboriginal man.

These human populations altered

vegetation, introduced predatory

Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans), hunted

adult birds and gathered eggs. Decline

in bird numbers continued with the

arrival of Europeans in the 16th century

who brought domestic livestock that

caused widespread damage to native

forests. At this time, predatory black (R.

rattus) and Norway (R. norwegicus) rats

were also introduced. Large areas were

converted to agriculture during the

German (1899–1917) and Japanese

(1917–1944) occupations and native

forest were further damaged during

World War II battles. These factors,

along with the appearance of other

exotic competitors and predators, such

as the brown tree snake (Boiga

irregularis), have led to reduction or

extirpation of megapode populations

from most of the Mariana Islands. Small

remnant populations persist on

Aguiguan, Tinian, and Saipan, while

larger populations persist on Anatahan,

Guguan, Sarigan, Alamagan, Pagan,

Ascuion, and Maug. Habitat loss and

exotic predators, such as the brown tree

snake, continue to be the greatest threats

to the survival of the Micronesian

megapode.

The Micronesian megapode is

currently represented by populations on

ten islands with a total estimate of 1,000

to 1,500 birds. The areas of emphasis for

recovery actions are the ten islands with

existing populations. In addition, the

recovery plan recommends

reintroduction of the species onto the

islands of Agrihan and/or Rota.

The objective of this plan is to

provide a framework for the recovery of

this species so that protection by the Act

is no longer necessary. Recovery efforts

will focus on protection of all extant

individuals from habitat loss, control of

introduced competitors and predators,

and preventing the spread of the brown

tree snake. Further research on the

reproductive ecology, territory size and

habitat use, nesting requirements,

demographics, and the impacts of

predation and hunting is needed to

ensure the long-term survival of the

megapode. Recovery efforts will include

augmenting existing populations and

reestablishment of the species in

protected areas throughout its former

range.

Public Comments Solicited

The Service solicits written comments

on the recovery plan described. All

comments received by the data specified

above will be considered prior to

approval of this plan.

Authority

The authority for this action is section

4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16

U.S.C. 1533(f).

Dated: September 18, 1997.

Mike Spear,

Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.

[FR Doc. 97–25423 Filed 9–24–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for

the Hawaiian Hoary Bat, Lasiurus

cinereus semotus, for Review and

Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,

Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service (Service) announces the

availability for public review of a draft

recovery plan for the Hawaiian hoary

bat, Lasiurus cinereus semotus. This

subspecies is known from the islands of

Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and

Molokai. Population numbers are not

known, but Hawaiian hoary bats are

observed regularly only on Hawaii,

Kauai, and Maui, and the bat is

apparently restricted in distribution on

the latter two islands. There is a general

lack of historic and current data on this

subspecies, and its present status is not

well understood.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery

plan received by December 24, 1997

will be considerated 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, Pacific

Islands Ecoregion, Room 3108, 300 Ala

Moana Boulevard, P.O. Box 50088,

Honolulu, Hawaii 96850 (phone: 808/

541–3441). Requests for copies of the

draft recovery plan and written

comments and materials regarding the

plan should be addressed to Brooks

Harper, Field Supervisor-Ecological

Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Pacific Islands Ecoregion at the

Honolulu address given above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen Rosa, Assistant Field SupervisorEndangered Species, at the Honolulu

address given above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Restoring endangered or threatened

animals and plants to the point where

they are again secure, self-sustaining

members of their ecosystem 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, its

Territories and Commonwealths.

Recovery plans describe actions

considered necessary for conservation of

the species, establish criteria for the

recovery levels for downlisting or

delisting them, and estimate time and

cost for implementing the recovery

measures needed.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973,

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 a 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. Substantive technical

comments will result in changes to the
50400 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Notices

plan. Substantive comments regarding

recovery plan implementation may not

necessarily result in changes to the

recovery plan, 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 subspecies being considered in

this recovery plan is the Hawaiian hoary

bat, Lasiurus cinereus semotus. It is

known from the islands of Hawaii,

Maui, Oahu Kauai, and Molokai.

Population numbers are not known, but

Hawaiian hoary bats are observed

regularly only on Hawaii, Kauai, and

Maui, and the bat is apparently

restricted in distribution on the latter

two islands. There is a general lack of

historic and current data on this

subspecies, and its present status is not

well understood. Habitat requirements

for the Hawaiian hoary bat are not well

known. Bats are most often observed

foraging in open areas, near the edges of

native forests, or over open water.

Hawaiian hoary bats roost solitarily in

trees. Habitat requirements may vary

seasonally, but this is not clear. Threats

to this subspecies include habitat

destruction (elimination of roosting

sites), and possibly direct and indirect

effects of predation, pesticides,

introduced insects, and disease.

The objective of the actions proposed

by this recovery plan is to delist the

Hawaiian hoary bat. Interim goals

include determining the abundance,

distribution, and habitat needs of this

subspecies. Interim criteria for

downlisting the Hawaiian hoary bat to

threatened status are also identified.

Delisting and downlisting decisions

cannot be made without a basic

understanding of the Hawaiian hoary

bat’s distribution, abundance, and

habitat needs. Research addressing these

questions must be undertaken prior to

consideration of delisting or

downlisting.

Downlisting Objectives

A widespread population of Hawaiian

hoary bats must be naturally

reproducing and stable or increasing in

size on the island of Hawaii for a

minimum of 5 consecutive years before

downlisting is considered.

Delisting Objectives

Hawaiian hoary bat populations on

Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui must be welldistributed, naturally reproducing, and

stable or increasing in size for at least

5 consecutive years before delisting is

considered.

Public Comments Solicited

The Service solicits written comments

on the recovery plan described. All

comments received by the date specified

above will be considered prior to

approval of this plan.

Authority

The authority for this action is section

4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16

U.S.C. 1533(f).

Dated: September 15, 1997.

Thomas J. Dwyer,

Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Region 1.

[FR Doc. 97–25424 Filed 9–24–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO–050–1220–00]

Closure of Public Lands

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management.

ACTION: Closure of public lands, roads

and trails in Fremont County, CO.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that

effective October 1, 1997 that certain

public lands, including all existing

roads and trails, east of Badger Creek in

Fremont County are closed to all types

of motor vehicle (including but not

limited to 4x4, ATVs, and motorcycles)

travel. The purpose of this closure is to

prevent further disturbance to soils and

vegetation in and near the riparian area,

reduce sedimentation into Badger Creek,

and stop the expansion of user-created

trails in the area. This closure is made

under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1.

The public lands affected by this

emergency closure are specifically

identified as follows: Fremont County,

Colorado.

New Mexico Principal Meridian

T. 49 N., R. 10 E.,

Sec. 22 east of Badger Creek

Sec. 23 N1⁄2

Sec. 24 N1⁄2 west of BLM Road 5980

Sec. 13 S1⁄2 west of BLM Road 5980

Sec. 14 SE1⁄4 (locally known as Bloody

Gulch and/or Rattlesnake Canyon).

DATES: Effective October 1, 1997 and

will remain in effect unless revised,

revoked or amended.

ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land

Management, Canon City District Office,

3170 East Main Street, Canon City,

Colorado 81212; Telephone (719) 269–

8500.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Levi

Deike, Area Manager, Royal Gorge

Resource Area at the above address and

phone number or John Nahomenuk,

Outdoor Recreation Planner, Arkansas

Headwaters Recreation Area, P.O. Box

126, Salida, CO 81201; (719) 539–7289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATI0N: This

closure does not apply to emergency,

law enforcement, and federal or other

government vehicles while being used

for official or emergency purposes, or to

any vehicle whose use is expressly

authorized or otherwise officially

approved by BLM. Violation of this

order is punishable by fine and/or

imprisonment as defined in 18 USC

3571. A copy of this Federal Register

Notice and map showing the closure

area is posted in the Canon City District

Office and in public places in the

affected area.

Stuart L. Freer,

Associate District Manager.

[FR Doc. 97–25475 Filed 9–24–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO–220–1060–00–24 1A]

Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board;

Re-opening of Public Call for

Nominations

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,

Interior.

ACTION: Re-opening of Public Call for

Nominations for the Wild Horse and

Burro Advisory Board.

SUMMARY: This notice is published in

accordance with Section 9(a)(2) of the

Federal Advisory Committee Act (5

U.S.C. App.). Notice is hereby given that

the public call for nominations for

membership on the Wild Horse and

Burro Advisory Board is being reopened for a 30-day period to ensure

that all interested parties have had an

adequate opportunity to submit

nominations for board membership.

Any individual or organization may

nominate one or more persons to serve

on the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory

Board. Individuals may also nominate

themselves for Board membership.

Nominations that have already been

made do not have to be resubmitted. All

nomination letters should include the

name, address, profession, relevant

biographic data, and reference sources

for each nominee, and should be sent to

the address below.

Nominations may be made for the

following categories of interest:

Wild horse and burro advocacy group

Wild horse and burro research

(especially genetics and population

biology)