51124 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 189 / Tuesday, September 30, 1997 / Notices

Alamagan. Habitat loss and exotic

predators, such as the brown tree snake,

monitor lizard (Varanus indicus), rat

(Rattus spp.), and domestic cat (Felis

catus), continue to be the greatest

threats to the survival of the nightingale

reed-warbler.

The nightingale reed-warbler is

currently represented by populations on

three islands with a total number of

individuals estimated to be 6,225–6,230

birds. The objective of this plan is to

provide a framework for the recovery of

this species so that protection by the

Endangered Species Act (ESA) is no

longer necessary. Recommended

recovery actions emphasize protection

of the existing populations from

introduction of the brown tree snake

and from existing threats, such as other

predators, feral ungulates, and habitat

alteration. It is recommended that

populations be established on at least

three additional islands in the Mariana

Island chain. Further research on

population dynamics is also needed.

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 24, 1997.

Michael J. Spear,

Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.

[FR Doc. 97–25839 Filed 9–29–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for

the Endangered Speckled Dace of

Clover and Independence Valleys

(Rhinichthys osculus lethoporus and

Rhinichthys osculus oligoporus) 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 endangered

speckled dace of Clover and

Independence Valleys in Elko County,

Nevada. This plan undertakes a

multispecies approach by discussing the

recovery needs of two native,

endangered fish species.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery

plan received by December 29, 1997

will be considered by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review

the draft recovery plan may obtain a

copy by contacting the State Supervisor,

Nevada State Office, Fish and Wildlife

Service, 4600 Kietzke Lane, Suite 125C,

Reno, Nevada 89502 (telephone: 702/

784–5227). Written comments and

materials regarding the plan should be

addressed to the State Supervisor at the

above Reno, Nevada address. Comments

and materials received are available on

request for public inspection, by

appointment, during normal business

hours at the above Reno, Nevada

address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.

Stephanie Byers at the above Reno,

Nevada address (telephone: 702/784–

5227).

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 needed to

downlist or delist them, and estimate

time and cost for implementing the

necessary recovery measures.

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

plan development. The Service will

consider all information presented

during the public comment period prior

to approval of each new or revised

recovery plan. The Service and other

Federal agencies will also take these

comments into account in the course of

implementing approved recovery plans.

Individualized responses to comments

will not be provided.

Independence Valley speckled dace

inhabit the Independence Valley Warm

Springs system in Elko County, Nevada,

and it is the only system from which

these fish are known. Clover Valley

speckled dace reside in three spring

systems in Clover Valley in Elko

County, Nevada. These springs are

Clover Valley Warm Springs, Bradish

Spring, and Wright Ranch Spring.

Current population distributions and

abundances are unknown for either

dace. Primary threats to each species at

the time of listing were a limited

distribution, habitat manipulation,

small population size, and nonnative

fish introductions. Recovery of these

species will require removal and/or

control of nonnative fishes and

cooperative agreements with

landowners to protect habitat.

The Service solicits written comments

on the recovery plan. All comments

received by the date specified above

will be considered prior to revision and

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 24, 1997.

Michael J. Spear,

Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.

[FR Doc. 97–25840 Filed 9–29–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan

for the El Segundo Blue Butterfly for

Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service

(Service) announces the availability for

public review of a draft recovery plan

for the El Segundo blue butterfly

(Euphilotes battoides allyni). The El

Segundo blue butterfly occurs on local

and private lands in southwestern Los

Angeles County, California. The Service

solicits review and comment from the

public on this plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery

plan must be received on or before

December 29, 1997 to receive

consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review

the draft recovery plan may obtain a

copy by contacting the Field Supervisor

at the following address: Carlsbad Field

Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad,

California 92008. Telephone requests

may be made by calling 760/431–9440.

Comments and material received are

available for public inspection by