[Federal Register: February 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 27)] [Notices] [Page 6765-6766] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10fe98-111] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias) for Review and Comment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the star cactus (Astrophytum asterias). This species occurs in the grasslands and thornshrub of the Rio Grande Plains of Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico. It is found on gravelly clays or loams overlaying the Tertiary Catahoula and Frio formations in the United States, and on soils of limestone origin overlaying Cenozoic to Mesozoic marine sediments in Tamaulipas. The historical range of star cactus included Cameron, Hidalgo, and Starr Counties in South Texas and the states of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas in Mexico. The cactus was historically and is still found on private lands and may also occur on State lands or highway right-of- ways. The Service solicits review and comment from the public on this draft plan. DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or before May 11, 1998, to receive consideration by the Service. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may examine a copy by contacting Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Office, c/o TAMU-CC Campus Box 338, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78412. Telephone (512) 994- 9005. Fax No. (512) 994-8262. Written comments and materials regarding the plan should also be addressed to the above address. Comments and materials received will be made available upon request for public inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the same address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Corpus Christi) at (512) 994-9005. [[Page 6766]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point where it is 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 for reclassifying them from endangered to threatened status or removing them from the list, and estimate the time and cost for implementing the needed recovery measures. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (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, as amended in 1988, requires that public notice and 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 star cactus was listed as an endangered species on November 17, 1993. The primary objective of this recovery plan is to maintain sufficient star cactus populations in natural habitats to ensure that the species is safe from extinction. This species is threatened by habitat destruction and modification through conversion of native habitat to agricultural land uses and urban development; collection of wild plants for the cactus trade; competition with exotic grasses introduced for cattle forage and erosion control; and genetic vulnerability due to low population numbers. The Recovery Plan is the product of considerable biological and historical data developed by a team of scientists, agency personnel, stakeholders from the management community, conservation organizations, and the general public. It provides scientific information about the species and establishes management plans for the protection of native populations, and the development of new populations to enhance its range and abundance to the extent that no natural or man-caused disturbance will result in irrevocable losses. Public Comments Solicited The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan described. 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 30, 1998. Ren Loehefner, Acting Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife service, Region 2. [FR Doc. 98-3232 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P