[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10378-10381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03614]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS-R1-ES-2021-N202; FXES11130100000-223-FF01E00000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery 
Plan for 50 Hawaiian Archipelago Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for review and public comment.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
availability of a draft recovery plan for 50 Hawaiian archipelago 
species. We request review and comment from the public and local, 
State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments on the draft recovery plan 
must be received on or before April 25, 2022. However, we will accept 
information about any species at any time.

ADDRESSES: Document availability: Obtain the recovery plan by any of 
the following methods.
    <bullet> Internet: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/recovery-plans.html or http://www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/endangered/recovery/plans.html.
    <bullet> U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana 
Boulevard, Room 3122, Honolulu, HI 96850.
    <bullet> Telephone: (808) 792-9400.
    Comment submission: You may submit written comments and materials 
by one of the following methods:
    <bullet> U.S. mail: Gregory Koob, Deputy Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, at 
the above U.S. mail address.
    <bullet> Fax: 808-792-9581.
    <bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b2d5c0d7d5ddc0cbedd9ddddd0f2d4c5c19cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="25425740424a575c7a4e4a4a47654352560b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Koob, Deputy Field Supervisor, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife 
Office, at the above U.S. mail address, or via telephone at 808-792-
9400. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf, call the 
Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for 50 
Hawaiian archipelago species. The 50 endangered or threatened species 
addressed in this draft recovery plan are all endemic to the Hawaiian 
Islands, and include 35 plants, 13 invertebrates, and 2 birds. The 
draft recovery plan includes specific goals, objectives, and criteria 
that should be met to enable us to consider removing any of the species 
from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. 
We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from the 
public and local, State, and Federal agencies.

Background

    Recovery of 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 our endangered species program and the 
Endangered Species Act (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) Recovery means 
improvement of the status of listed species to the point at which 
listing is no longer appropriate under the criteria set out in section 
4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the development of recovery plans 
for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the 
conservation of a particular species.
    The objective of a recovery plan is to provide a framework for the 
recovery of a listed species so that protection under the Act is no 
longer necessary. A recovery plan includes scientific information about 
the species and provides criteria and actions necessary for us to be 
able to reclassify the species or remove it from the Federal List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Recovery plans help 
guide our recovery efforts by describing actions we consider necessary 
for the species' conservation and for estimating time and costs for 
implementing needed recovery measures.

Species Addressed in Recovery Plan

    This draft recovery plan addresses 50 species, as described in the 
table below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Scientific name                Common name          Listing rule         Status        Distribution
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asplenium diellaciniatum.........  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Calamagrostis expansa............  Maui reedgrass......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Maui, Hawaii Island
                                                          (September 30,                     (likely
                                                          2016).                             extirpated).
Canavalia pubescens..............  Awikiwiki...........  78 FR 32013 (May 28,   Endangered  Maui, Lanai.
                                                          2013).
Christella boydiae (listed as      Kupukupu makalii....  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Oahu, Maui, Hawaii
 Cyclosorus boydiae).                                     (September 30,                     Island (likely
                                                          2016).                             extirpated).
Deparia kaalaana.................  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai (likely
                                                          (September 30,                     extirpated), Maui,
                                                          2016).                             Hawaii Island
                                                                                             (likely
                                                                                             extirpated).

[[Page 10379]]

 
Dryopteris glabra var. pusilla...  Hohiu...............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Exocarpos menziesii..............  Heau................  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Lanai (likely
                                                          (September 30,                     extirpated), Hawaii
                                                          2016).                             Island.
Festuca hawaiiensis..............  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Maui (likely
                                                          (September 30,                     extirpated), Hawaii
                                                          2016).                             Island.
Gardenia remyi...................  Nanu................  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai, Molokai,
                                                          (September 30,                     Maui, Hawaii
                                                          2016).                             Island.
Haplostachys haplostachya........  Honohono (listed as   44 FR 62468 (October   Endangered  Hawaii Island.
                                    having no common      30, 1979).
                                    name).
Huperzia stemmermanniae..........  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Maui (likely
                                                          (September 30,                     extirpated), Hawaii
                                                          2016).                             Island.
Joinvillea ascendens ssp.          Ohe.................  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai, Oahu,
 ascendens.                                               (September 30,                     Molokai, Maui,
                                                          2016).                             Hawaii Island.
Kadua fluviatilis................  Kamapuaa............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai, Oahu.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Kadua haupuensis.................  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Labordia lorenciana..............  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Lepidium orbiculare..............  Anaunau.............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Microlepia strigosa var.           Palapalai (listed as  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Oahu, Maui, Hawaii
 mauiensis.                         having no common      (September 30,                     Island (likely
                                    name).                2016).                             extirpated).
Myrsine fosbergii................  Kolea...............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai, Oahu.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Nothocestrum latifolium..........  Aiea................  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai (likely
                                                          (September 30,                     extirpated), Oahu
                                                          2016).                             (likely
                                                                                             extirpated),
                                                                                             Molokai, Maui,
                                                                                             Lanai (likely
                                                                                             extirpated).
Ochrosia haleakalae..............  Holei...............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Maui, Hawaii Island.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Panicum fauriei var. carteri.....  Carter's panicgrass.  46 FR 9976 (January    Endangered  Oahu, Molokai, Maui.
                                                          30, 1981); 48 FR
                                                          46328 (October 12,
                                                          1983).
Phyllostegia brevidens...........  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Maui, Hawaii Island.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Phyllostegia helleri.............  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Phyllostegia stachyoides.........  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Molokai, Maui,
                                                          (September 30,                     Hawaii Island.
                                                          2016).
Portulaca villosa................  Ihi.................  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Niihau, Oahu (likely
                                                          (September 30,                     extirpated),
                                                          2016).                             Molokai, Maui,
                                                                                             Lanai (likely
                                                                                             extirpated),
                                                                                             Kahoolawe (likely
                                                                                             extirpated), Hawaii
                                                                                             Island.
Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium     Enaena..............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Oahu (likely
 var. molokaiense.                                        (September 30,                     extirpated),
                                                          2016).                             Molokai, Maui,
                                                                                             Lanai (likely
                                                                                             extirpated).
Ranunculus hawaiensis............  Makou...............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Molokai, Maui,
                                                          (September 30,                     Hawaii Island
                                                          2016).                             (likely
                                                                                             extirpated).
Ranunculus mauiensis.............  Makou...............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai, Oahu (likely
                                                          (September 30,                     extirpated),
                                                          2016).                             Molokai (likely
                                                                                             extirpated), Maui,
                                                                                             Hawaii Island.
Sanicula sandwicensis............  No common name......  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Maui, Hawaii Island.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Santalum involutum...............  Iliahi..............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Sicyos lanceoloideus.............  Anunu...............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai, Oahu.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
Sicyos macrophyllus..............  Anunu...............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Maui (likely
                                                          (September 30,                     extirpated), Hawaii
                                                          2016).                             Island.
Solanum nelsonii.................  Popolo..............  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kure, Midway, Pearl
                                                          (September 30,                     and Hermes, Laysan
                                                          2016).                             (likely
                                                                                             extirpated), Nihoa
                                                                                             (likely
                                                                                             extirpated),
                                                                                             Niihau, Oahu,
                                                                                             Molokai, Maui
                                                                                             (likely
                                                                                             extirpated), Hawaii
                                                                                             Island (likely
                                                                                             extirpated).
Stenogyne angustifolia (listed as  No common name......  44 FR 62468 (October   Endangered  Molokai (likely
 Stenogyne angustifolia var.                              30, 1979).                         extirpated), Maui
 angustifolia).                                                                              (likely
                                                                                             extirpated), Hawaii
                                                                                             Island.
Wikstroemia skottsbergiana.......  Akia................  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Kauai.
                                                          (September 30,
                                                          2016).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invertebrates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 10380]]

 
Drosophila differens.............  Hawaiian picture-     71 FR 26835 (May 9,    Endangered  Molokai.
                                    wing fly.             2006).
Drosophila heteroneura...........  Hawaiian picture-     71 FR 26835 (May 9,    Endangered  Hawaii Island.
                                    wing fly.             2006).
Drosophila mulli.................  Hawaiian picture-     71 FR 26835 (May 9,    Threatened  Hawaii Island.
                                    wing fly.             2006).
Drosophila neoclavisetae.........  Hawaiian picture-     71 FR 26835 (May 9,    Endangered  Maui (possibly
                                    wing fly.             2006).                             extirpated).
Drosophila ochrobasis............  Hawaiian picture-     71 FR 26835 (May 9,    Endangered  Hawaii Island.
                                    wing fly.             2006).
Hylaeus anthracinus..............  Anthracinan yellow-   81 FR 67786            Endangered  Oahu, Molokai, Maui,
                                    faced bee (listed     (September 30,                     Lanai (likely
                                    as Bee, yellow-       2016).                             extirpated),
                                    faced).                                                  Kahoolawe, Hawaii
                                                                                             Island.
Hylaeus assimulans...............  Assimulans yellow-    81 FR 67786            Endangered  Oahu (likely
                                    faced bee (listed     (September 30,                     extirpated), Maui,
                                    as Bee, yellow-       2016).                             Lanai, Kahoolawe.
                                    faced).
Hylaeus facilis..................  Easy yellow-faced     81 FR 67786            Endangered  Oahu, Molokai, Maui
                                    bee (listed as Bee,   (September 30,                     (possibly
                                    yellow-faced).        2016).                             extirpated), Lanai
                                                                                             (likely
                                                                                             extirpated).
Hylaeus longiceps................  Longiceps yellow-     81 FR 67786            Endangered  Oahu, Molokai, Maui,
                                    faced bee (listed     (September 30,                     Lanai.
                                    as Bee, yellow-       2016).
                                    faced).
Megalagrion nesiotes.............  Flying earwig         75 FR 35990 (June      Endangered  Maui, Hawaii Island
                                    Hawaiian damselfly.   24, 2010).                         (likely
                                                                                             extirpated).
Megalagrion pacificum............  Pacific Hawaiian      75 FR 35990 (June      Endangered  Kauai (likely
                                    damselfly.            24, 2010).                         extirpated), Oahu
                                                                                             (likely
                                                                                             extirpated),
                                                                                             Molokai (likely
                                                                                             extirpated), Lanai
                                                                                             (likely
                                                                                             extirpated), Maui,
                                                                                             Hawaii Island.
Megalagrion xanthomelas..........  Orangeblack Hawaiian  81 FR 67786            Endangered  Oahu, Molokai, Lanai
                                    damselfly.            (September 30,                     (extirpated), Maui,
                                                          2016).                             Hawaii Island.
Procaris hawaiana................  Anchialine pool       81 FR 67786            Endangered  Maui, Hawaii Island.
                                    shrimp.               (September 30,
                                                          2016).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drepanis coccinea................  Iiwi (honeycreeper).  82 FR 43873            Threatened  Kauai, Oahu (likely
                                                          (September 20,                     extirpated),
                                                          2017).                             Molokai (possibly
                                                                                             extirpated), Lanai
                                                                                             (extirpated), Maui,
                                                                                             Hawaii Island.
Hydrobates castro (listed as       Band-rumped storm-    81 FR 67786            Endangered  Lehua, Kauai, Oahu
 Oceanodroma castro).               petrel, Hawaii DPS    (September 30,                     (extirpated),
                                    (distinct             2016).                             Molokai
                                    population                                               (extirpated), Maui
                                    segment); also                                           (possibly
                                    known as akeake.                                         extirpated), Lanai,
                                                                                             Kahoolawe (possibly
                                                                                             extirpated), Hawaii
                                                                                             Island.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recovery Planning Process

    The Service is now using a process termed recovery planning and 
implementation (RPI) (see https://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/RPI.pdf). The RPI approach is intended to reduce the time needed to 
develop and implement recovery plans, increase recovery plan relevancy 
over a longer timeframe, and add flexibility to recovery plans so they 
can be adjusted for new information or circumstances. Under RPI, a 
recovery plan includes the statutorily required elements under section 
4(f) of the Act (objective and measurable recovery criteria, site-
specific management actions, and estimates of time and costs), along 
with a concise introduction and our strategy to achieve species 
recovery. The RPI recovery plan is supported by two supplementary 
documents: A species status assessment or species report, which 
describes the best available scientific information related to the 
biological needs of the species and assessment of threats; and the 
recovery implementation strategy, which details the particular near-
term activities needed to implement the recovery actions identified in 
the recovery plan. Under this approach, we can incorporate new 
information on species biology or details of recovery implementation by 
updating these supplementary documents, without concurrent revision of 
the entire recovery plan, unless changes to statutorily required 
elements are necessary.

Recovery Plan Components

    The draft recovery plan for 50 Hawaiian archipelago species is 
supported by species reports that describe the best available 
scientific information on species biology, status, and threats for each 
of the 50 species addressed in the draft recovery plan. These species 
reports are available within the species profiles for each of the 
species at https://ecos.fws.gov. We are in the process of coordinating 
with conservation partners at the State of Hawaii's Department of Land 
and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife; the Counties 
of Kauai, Honolulu, Maui, and Hawaii; interagency Plant Extinction 
Prevention Program; research institutions; watershed partnerships; 
public and private stakeholders; and national parks to identify the 
highest-priority actions for recovery of these species that will be 
part of a recovery implementation strategy.
    Major threats to the various Hawaiian archipelago species addressed 
in this draft recovery plan include habitat degradation, predation and 
herbivory by nonnative mammals and invertebrates; disease spread by 
nonnative species;

[[Page 10381]]

and competition with invasive nonnative plant species. Achieving 
recovery for the 50 species will require assessments of populations and 
their habitats; selection of sites for long-term conservation; control 
of threats; development of regulatory protections; species-specific 
research; and translocation of species in order to maximize resiliency, 
redundancy, and representation. A detailed recovery strategy for each 
species group or species is presented in the main body of the recovery 
plan.

Request for Public Comments

    Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide public notice and an 
opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan 
development. By policy we also request peer review of recovery plans 
(59 FR 34270; July 1, 1994). In an appendix to the approved final 
recovery plan, we will summarize and respond to the issues raised 
during public comment and peer review. Substantive comments may or may 
not result in changes to the recovery plan. Comments regarding recovery 
plan implementation will be forwarded as appropriate to Federal or 
other entities so that they can be taken into account during the course 
of implementing recovery actions.
    We will consider all comments we receive by the date specified in 
DATES prior to final approval of the plan.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03614 Filed 2-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P


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