[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50398-50399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25423]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Micronesian megapode 
(Megapodius laperouse laperouse) 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 the 
Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse laperouse). This species is 
known only from the Mariana islands and is currently limited to 10 
islands in this archipelago with a total population of 1,000 to 1,500 
individuals.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by December 24, 
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 locations: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands 
Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, room 6307, P.O. Box 50167, Honolulu, 
Hawaii 96850 (phone: 808/541-2749); the Northern Marianas College 
Library, P.O. Box 1250, Asterlaje Campus, Saipan, MP 96950 (phone: 670/
234-5498, extension 1121/2); and University of Guam, RFK Memorial 
Library, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam 96923 (phone: 671/734-9412). 
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 of the Pacific Islands Office at 
the Honolulu address given above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Lusk, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, Recovery Branch, 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, criteria for 
recognizing the recovery levels for downlisting or

[[Page 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]
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