[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 185 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49989-49990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25335]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan 
for Gesneria Pauciflora for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces availability for 
public review of a technical/agency draft recovery plan for Gesneria 
pauciflora (no common name). This small shrub, designated as 
threatened, is endemic to Puerto Rico. Only three populations are known 
to occur in the western mountains of Puerto Rico. The species is 
threatened by natural disasters and the modification of its highly 
restricted habitat. The Service solicits review and comments from the 
public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before November 24, 1997 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting Ms. Susan Silander, Boqueron Field Office, P.O. 
Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622. Comments and materials received 
are available upon request for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan Silander, Boqueron Field 
Office, P.O. Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622, Telephone: 809/851-
7297.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened species 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 the recovery effort, the Service is 
working to prepare recovery plans for most of the listed species native 
to the United States.

[[Page 49990]]

Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation 
of the species, establish them, 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 that public notice and an opportunity for public review and 
comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service and 
other Federal agencies will also take these comments into account in 
the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
    This Technical/Agency Draft is for Gesneria pauciflora (no common 
name), a small gregarious shrub which is currently known from only 
three populations in the western mountains of Puerto Rico. These occur 
in the municipalities of Maricao and Sabana Grande. Population 
estimates are difficult due to the plant's habit of growing in dense 
mats. At all known localities the species is found growing in rocky 
stream beds on wet serpentine rock, where water is constantly seeping. 
The species is threatened by the occurrence of natural disasters and 
the modification of its highly restricted habitat. The largest 
population is located in an area of steep unstable slopes and may be 
threatened by landslides and flood damage. Forest management practices 
such as trail maintenance may also adversely affect the species. This 
plan will describe measures necessary to recover the species, including 
studies of its reproductive biology and propagation.

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 the plan.

Authority

    The authority for this action is Section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531.

    Dated: September 17, 1997.
Susan R. Silander,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 97-25335 Filed 9-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P