[Federal Register: February 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 23)] [Notices] [Page 5813] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr04fe98-85] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice to Extend the Public Comment Period for the Draft Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of extension of public comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice that the comment period announced in the September 30, 1997, notice of availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California, will be extended an additional 60 days until March 29, 1998. The Service experienced difficulty in distributing copies of the draft plan. This recovery plan includes 34 species, of which 11 species are federally listed as endangered or threatened. The draft plan includes recovery criteria and measures for the plants--California jewelflower (Caulanthus californicus), palmate- bracted bird's-beak (Cordylanthus palmatus), Kern mallow (Eremalche kernensis), Hoover's woolly-star (Eriastrum hooveri), San Joaquin woolly-threads (Lembertia congdonii), Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei); and the animals--giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens), Fresno kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides exilis), Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila), and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica). Long-term conservation of three candidate species, the Buena Vista Lake shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus), the riparian brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius), and riparian woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes riparia); and an additional 20 species of plants and animals of concern to the Service are addressed in the draft recovery plan. The Service extends the current 120-day comment period and solicits review and comment from the public on this draft plan. DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by March 29, 1998 will be considered by the Service. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain a copy by contacting the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95821-6340. Telephone requests may be made by calling 916/ 979-2725. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Miller at the above address and telephone number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Restoring an endangered or threatened animal 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 prepares recovery plans for most of the listed species native to the United States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria for the recovery levels necessary to reclassify them from endangered to threatened or remove them from the list, and estimate the time and cost for implementing needed recovery measures. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires development of recovery plans for listed species unless such a plan would not promote 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 a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other Federal agencies will take these comments into account in the course of implementing approved recovery plans. The 34 species of plants and animals covered in the draft recovery plan are restricted primarily to the San Joaquin Valley of California. The majority of the species occur in arid grasslands and scrublands of the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent foothills and valleys. The riparian woodrat and riparian brush rabbit inhabit forested river corridors of the eastern San Joaquin Valley. Conversion of habitat to agricultural, industrial, and urban uses has eliminated the listed candidate, and species of concern from the majority of their historic ranges. The remaining natural communities are highly fragmented, and many are marginal habitats in which these species may not persist during catastrophic events, such as fire or drought. The objectives of this recovery plan are two-fold: (1) To delist the plants--California jewelflower, palmate-bracted bird's-beak, Kern mallow, Hoover's woolly-star, San Joaquin woolly-threads, Bakersfield cactus; and the animals--giant kangaroo rat, Fresno kangaroo rat, Tipton kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and San Joaquin kit fox by protecting, enhancing, restoring, and appropriately managing their habitat; and (2) to ensure the long-term conservation of the three candidates and additional 20 species of concern by protecting, enhancing, restoring, and appropriately managing their habitat. Public Comments Solicited The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan described herein. 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. 1533(f). Dated: January 26, 1998. David L. McMullen, Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon. [FR Doc. 98-2678 Filed 2-3-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P