[Federal Register: April 26, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 81)]
[Notices]
[Page 21008-21009]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26ap01-105]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Howell's
Spectacular Thelypody (Thelypodium howellii ssp. spectabilis)
for Review and Comment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the
Howell's spectacular thelypody (Thelypodium howellii ssp. spectabilis).
This threatened plant, a member of the mustard family, occurs on fewer
than 12 small sites located within 100 acres of private lands near
North Powder and Haines in eastern Oregon (Baker and Union Counties).
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by June 25, 2001,
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 location: Snake River Basin Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 368, Boise, Idaho 83709 (phone:
208/378-5243). Requests for copies of the draft recovery plan and
written comments and materials regarding this plan should be addressed
to Robert Ruesink, Field Supervisor, at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edna Vizgirdas, Fish and Wildlife
Biologist, at the above address.
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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
endangered species program. To help guide the recovery effort, we are
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
downlisting or delisting listed species, and estimate time and cost for
implementing the recovery measures needed.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.), 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 requires that public notice
and an opportunity for public review and comment be provided during
recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented
during the public comment period prior to approval of each new or
revised recovery plan. Substantive technical comments will result in
changes to the plans. Substantive comments regarding recovery plan
implementation may not necessarily result in changes to the recovery
plans, 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.
The Howell's spectacular thelypody was listed as a threatened
species on June 25, 1999. This taxon is endemic to the Baker-Powder
River Valley in
[[Page 21009]]
eastern Oregon. It is currently found in five populations in Baker and
Union Counties, Oregon. It formerly also occurred in the Willow Creek
Valley in Malheur County. The species grows in alkaline meadows in
valley bottoms, usually in and around shrubs such as greasewood or
rabbitbrush. The plants are threatened by habitat modification such as
grazing during spring and early summer, trampling, urban development,
and competition from non-native plants.
The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the
recovery of the Howell's spectacular thelypody so that protection by
the Endangered Species Act is no longer necessary. Recovery is
contingent upon protecting and managing the thelypody's habitat to
maintain and enhance viable populations of the thelypody.
The Howell's spectacular thelypody will be considered for delisting
when: (1) At least five stable or increasing thelypody populations are
distributed throughout its extant or historic range and populations
must be naturally reproducing with stable or increasing trends for 10
years; (2) all five populations are located on permanently protected
sites; (3) management plans have been developed and implemented for
each site that specifically provide for the protection of thelypody and
its habitat; and (4) a post-delisting monitoring plan is in place that
will monitor the status of thelypody for at least 5 years at each site.
Public Comments Solicited
We solicit written comments on the recovery plan described. All
comments received by the date 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: February 6, 2001.
Rowan W. Gould,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10378 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
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