[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51122-51123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25838]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for Two Insects and Four 
Plants From the Santa Cruz Mountains 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 Recovery Plan for Two Insects 
and Four Plants from the Santa Cruz Mountains. The two insects and four 
plants occur on sandy soils in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz 
County, California.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by December 29, 
1997 will be considered by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft recovery plan are available for 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
following location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, 
Suite B, Ventura, California 93003 (phone: 805/644-1766). Requests for 
copies of the draft recovery plan and written comments and materials 
regarding this plan should be addressed to, Ms. Diane K. Noda, Field 
Supervisor, at the above Ventura address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Rutherford, Botanist, at the 
above Ventura address.

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 downlisting 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 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 the public comment period prior to approval of each new or 
revised recovery plan. Substantive 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 two insects and three of the four plants addressed in this 
recovery plan are listed as endangered. The fourth plant (Scotts Valley 
polygonum) is a species of concern to the Service.
    The Mount Hermon June beetle (Polyphylla barbata) is known from 28 
collection sites in the area generally bounded by Ben Lomond, Mount 
Hermon, and Scotts Valley. Populations receiving some protection occur 
on Quail Hollow Ranch. The remaining populations occur on private land.
    The Zayante band-winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis infantilis) is 
known from 10 collection sites in the area generally bounded by Ben 
Lomond, Mount Hermon, and Mission Springs. All populations occur on 
private land.
    Ben Lomond spineflower (Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana) is 
known from 21 populations; most occur between Ben Lomond, Mount Hermon, 
and Glenwood. Outlying populations are located near Bonny Doon, Boulder 
Creek, and Big Basin State Park. Populations receiving some protection 
occur on Bonny Doon Ecologic Preserve, Quail Hollow Ranch, and Big 
Basin State Park. The remaining populations are found on private land.
    Scotts Valley spineflower (Chorizanthe robusta var. hartwegii) is 
known from three sites on private land north of Scotts Valley.
    Ben Lomond wallflower (Erysimum teretifolium) is known from 15

[[Page 51123]]

populations; most occur between Ben Lomond, Mount Hermon, and Glenwood. 
Outlying populations are located near Bonny Doon. Populations receiving 
some protection occur on Bonny Doon Ecologic Preserve and Quail Hollow 
Ranch. The remaining populations are found on private land.
    Scotts Valley polygonum (Polygonum hickmanii) is known from four 
colonies north of Scotts Valley, all of which occur in the same general 
area as Chorizanthe robusta var. hartwegii.
    These taxa are variously threatened by one or more of the 
following: sand mining, urban development, agricultural conversion, 
equestrian use, recreational activities, alteration in fire cycles, and 
competition with nonnatives vegetation. For the two insect taxa, 
collection and pesticide use are recognized as potential threats. In 
addition, the very low numbers of individuals and populations of some 
of these taxa put them at great risk of extinction due to random 
naturally occurring events.
    The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the 
recovery of the two insects and the four plants so that protection by 
the Act is no longer necessary. Actions necessary to accomplish this 
objective include: protecting species habitats through acquisition, 
conservation easements, and Habitat Conservation Plans; managing 
species habitats; conducting management-oriented research on the 
ecology and biology of the species; reviewing and revising management 
and recovery guidelines; and locating additional populations.

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 final 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.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-25838 Filed 9-29-97; 8:45 am]
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