[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9724-9726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5156]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AC04


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of 
Proposed Rule to List Coccoloba Rugosa (Ortegon) as Threatened

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service withdraws the proposed rule 
to list Coccoloba rugosa (ortegon) as threatened, pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This plant, endemic to 
Puerto Rico, occurs primarily in the eastern portion of the island. It 
is currently known from approximately 33 localities. Based on an 
evaluation of data available following publication of the proposal and 
evaluation of the comments, the Service determines that listing of 
ortegon is not warranted at the present time. The Service expects to 
work together with the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Forest Service, the 
Puerto Rico Conservation Trust and private landowners to protect and 
monitor the status of the species on these lands.

ADDRESSES: The complete file for this action is available for 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
Caribbean Field Office, Box 491, Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan R. Silander at the Caribbean 
Field Office address (809/851-7297).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Although there are no records available concerning when Coccoloba 
rugosa was first discovered, it is known that it was widely cultivated 
in European botanical gardens during the nineteenth century (Proctor, 
pers. comm.). The species was named in 1815 and described in 1829 by 
the French botanist Rene Louiche Desfontaines from a cultivated 
specimen at the Botanical Garden of Paris (Little et al. 1974). This 
plant was reported from St. Thomas more than a century ago, but it is a 
doubtful record (Proctor, pers. comm.).
    Coccoloba rugosa is a small evergreen tree 9 meters (30 feet) tall 
with a diameter of approximately 12.5 centimeters (5 inches). The bark 
is brown or gray and fissured, with faint rings at the nodes. The green 
twigs are stout, slightly flattened with longitudinal ridges. The 
alternate stalkless leaves are 22-60 centimeters (9-24 inches) wide, 
very thick, brittle, and hairless. The leaf surface is rugose, with 
veins deeply sunken on the upper side and prominent beneath. At the 
base of each leaf is a large sheath (ocrea) measuring 4-6 centimeters 
(1.5-2.5 inches) long. Inflorescences are terminal, 30-75 centimeters 
(1-2.5 feet) long with numerous small crimson-colored flowers. Male and 
female flowers are borne on different trees (dioecious). The red ovoid 
fruits are about 1 centimeter (.4 inch) long with one brown, pointed, 
3-angled seed that is .5 centimeter (.2 inch) long.
    Ortegon is known from approximately 5,000 individuals at 33 sites 
most of which occur in the subtropical moist forest life zone of 
northern and eastern Puerto Rico. In eastern Puerto Rico the species is 
known from 23 localities. More than 1,000 individuals have been located 
at several localities on a privately-owned tourist resort complex in 
the Humacao/Yabucoa area in eastern Puerto Rico. An additional 400 
individuals were found at Punta Guayanez, adjacent to the tourist 
resort complex. The species also occurs in 10 areas in the Punta 
Yeguas/Punta Toro area of Yabucoa/Maunabo municipalities. Portions of 
the Punta Yeguas area are owned and managed by the Puerto Rico 
Conservation Trust. Approximately 350 individuals may occur in these 
areas. More than 2,000 plants have been reported from the east facing 
slopes of Cerro Mala Pascua at approximately 100 meters above sea level 
in the municipalities of Maunabo and Patillas.
    In northeastern Puerto Rico Coccoloba rugosa has been reported from 
locations in Luquillo, Rio Grande, the El Convento area of Fajardo, and 
from two locations which fall within the Caribbean National Forest 
(approximately 36 plants).
    In northern Puerto Rico the species occurs in the limestone knolls 
within the San Juan metropolitan area at two localities: 6 individuals 
on the Fort Buchanan Army installation in the municipality of Guaynabo 
and one locality consisting of 2 individuals on the Sabana Seca Naval 
Security Group Activities facility in the municipality of Toa Baja. One 
population historically

[[Page 9725]]

reported from west of the San Jose lagoon in the San Juan metropolitan 
area was destroyed some years ago (Little et al. 1974).

Previous Federal Action

    Coccoloba rugosa was included among the plants being considered as 
a candidate species (species for which the Service has on file 
sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threat(s) to 
support issuance of a proposed rule to list) by the Service, as 
published in the Federal Register notice of review dated February 21, 
1990 (55 FR 6184) and September 30, 1993 (58 FR 51144).
    The Service published a proposal to list ortegon as threatened on 
September 24, 1993 (58 FR 49660) based on information available at that 
time. The comment period on the proposal was subsequently reopened 
until January 24, 1995 (59 FR 60598) to allow for the collection and 
verification of additional information. The deadline for publishing a 
final listing decision was extended in the same Federal Register notice 
to March 24, 1995.
    The processing of this action conforms with the Service's final 
listing priority guidance published in the Federal Register on December 
5, 1996 (61 FR 64475). The guidance clarifies the order in which the 
Service will process rulemakings during fiscal year 1997. The guidance 
calls for giving highest priority to handling emergency situations 
(Tier 1) and second highest priority (Tier 2) to resolving the listing 
status of the outstanding proposed listings. This rule falls under Tier 
2. At this time, there are no pending Tier 1 actions.

Summary of Comments and Recommendations

    In the September 24, 1993, proposed rule and associated 
notifications, all interested parties were requested to submit factual 
reports of information that might contribute to the development of a 
final rule. Appropriate agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
Federal agencies, scientific organizations and other interested parties 
were contacted and requested to comment. A newspaper notice inviting 
general public comment was published in the ``San Juan Star'' on 
October 10, 1993. The Service received three letters of comment, one 
supported the listing (Puerto Rico Department of Natural and 
Environmental Resources) and the other two provided information 
(University of Puerto Rico at Humacao and Vazquez Environmental 
Services, Inc. for Palmas del Mar, Inc.) but did not indicate either 
support or opposition.
    Nevertheless, on June 21, 1994, the Service received a letter from 
Vinson & Elkins, attorneys for the Palmas del Mar Properties, Inc., 
which provided additional information on both the distribution and 
abundance of Coccoloba rugosa. Based on this additional information the 
Service reopened the comment period through January 24, 1995, and 
requested additional information from Federal agencies, Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico agencies, scientific organizations and interested parties. 
One letter of comment was received, from Vinson & Elkins for Palmas del 
Mar, Inc., which provided information similar to that in their letter 
of June 21, 1994. The Service has verified data provided by Palmas in 
both of these letters and this information has been incorporated into 
the supplementary information provided above.

Summary of Factors Affecting the Species

    The Endangered Species Act and implementing regulations found at 50 
CFR 424.17(3) provide for the basis for determining a species to be 
endangered or threatened and for withdrawing a proposed rule when the 
proposal has not been found to be supported by available evidence. The 
five factors described in section 4(a)(1) of the Endangered Species 
Act, as they apply to the withdrawal of the proposed listing of 
Coccoloba rugosa (ortegon) are as follows:

A. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment 
of its Habitat or Range

    At present, Coccoloba rugosa is known from a total of 33 
localities. Two are located on land which is managed by the U.S. Forest 
Service as part of the Caribbean National Forest and the species is 
included by the Forest Service as a sensitive species and is considered 
in environmental evaluations and in management practices. The species 
occurs on property of both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, both of 
which are aware of the presence of the species and the need to protect 
it. No activities are currently proposed by these entities for the 
areas where the species is found. The localities at Punta Yeguas are 
owned and managed by the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust, a non-
governmental organization dedicated to the protection of natural 
resources, and the organization is aware of the presence of the species 
on its property and the need for its protection.
    More than 1,000 individuals are located within the boundaries of 
the Palmas del Mar, Inc. resort in Humacao, Puerto Rico. The resort 
has, in its most recent development expansion proposal, included all 
known individuals within the project area in green areas and has 
avoided impacting individuals. The corporation has expressed interest 
in protecting the species through a cooperative agreement.

B. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific or 
Educational Purposes

    Not applicable. Ortegon may be of interest as a cultivated, 
ornamental plant, and has been the subject of successful propagation 
both by private entities as well as by the Puerto Rico Department of 
Natural and Environmental Resources.

C. Disease or Predation

    Not applicable.

D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms

    The species is considered to be a ``critical'' species by the 
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and is 
considered in evaluations done by the agency for development proposals. 
Listing under the Act would have offered protection through Sections 7 
and 9, and through recovery planning. Nevertheless, the largest 
populations are on privately-owned land where few federally-funded or 
permitted projects are anticipated.

E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting its Continued Existence

    Although the forests of eastern Puerto Rico were dramatically 
affected by the passage of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the species occurs 
in a sufficient number of localities that would ensure its continued 
survival.

Proposed Rule Withdrawal

    The Service has carefully assessed the best scientific and 
commercial information available regarding the past, present, and 
future threats faced by Coccoloba rugosa in determining to withdraw 
this proposed rule. The withdrawal is based on the likelihood of the 
species retaining its current distribution and numbers and the 
anticipated cooperation on the part of both Federal and Commonwealth 
agencies and non-governmental and private entities in the conservation 
of the species.
    The Service withdraws the proposed rule of September 24, 1993 (58 
FR 49660) to list the Coccoloba rugosa as a threatened species. At 
present the Service does not consider this species a Candidate for 
listing.

[[Page 9726]]

References Cited

    Little, E.L., R.O. Woodbury, and F.H. Wadsworth. 1974. Trees of 
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Second volume. U.S. Department 
of Agriculture Handbook No. 449. Washington, D.C. 1024 pp.

Author

    The primary author of this document is Ms. Susan R. Silander (see 
ADDRESSES section).

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(b)(6)(B)(ii) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: February 10, 1997.
John G. Rogers,
Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-5156 Filed 3-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P