[Federal Register: February 1, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 20)]
[Notices]               
[Page 4890]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe99-93]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 
Notice of Availability of a Recommended Survey Protocol for the 
Endangered Quino Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) for 
the 1999 Field Season

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability; Survey Protocol.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability of its recommended survey protocol for the 1999 field 
season for determining the presence/absence of the endangered Quino 
checkerspot butterfly. Using information gathered during the 1998 field 
survey season, we revised the ``Interim General Survey Protocols and 
Mitigation Guidelines for the Endangered Quino Checkerspot Butterfly 
(Euphydryas editha quino)'' dated November 4, 1997. The current 
recommended protocol entitled ``Survey Protocol for the Endangered 
Quino Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) for the 1999 
Field Season'' dated January 25, 1999, incorporates those modifications 
found to be appropriate and replaces the 1997 interim protocol. We 
intend to annually review and modify this survey protocol to ensure 
that the best scientific information is incorporated into the 
prescribed methodology.

DATES: Data, and comments on the 1999 field season protocol received by 
August 2, 1999, will be considered in the development of the year 2000 
field season protocol.

ADDRESSES: Copies of this protocol may be obtained from the Service's 
Region 1 World Wide Web Home Page at http://www.r1.fws.gov/text/
species.html or from the Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife 
Office, 2730 Loker Ave. West, Carlsbad California 92008. Comments and 
materials concerning the survey protocol should be sent to the Field 
Supervisor at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Krofta or Paul Barrett at the 
above address (telephone 760/431-9440, facsimile 760/431-9618).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Quino checkerspot butterfly was listed as an endangered species 
on January 16, 1997 (62 FR 2313) as result of loss and degradation of 
habitat, invasion by alien species, overgrazing, poorly planned fire 
management practices, and off-road vehicle use. The historic range of 
the Quino checkerspot butterfly extended from the Santa Monica 
Mountains east and south along the foothills of the Transverse and 
Peninsular Ranges in California, and south into northwest Baja 
California, Mexico. Adults have been found from sea level to 
approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) and populations can be found 
today in southern San Diego County and southwestern Riverside County, 
California in association with grasslands, and open areas in coastal 
sage scrub, chaparral, and sparse native woodlands. Adult butterflies 
can be observed from mid-February to mid-May depending on weather and 
are most easily detected on open or sparsely vegetated rounded 
hilltops, ridgelines, and occasionally rocky outcrops.
    We are seeking additional information to more adequately understand 
the occurrence and biology of the Quino checkerspot butterfly 
throughout its range. Because we intend to annually review and modify 
the recommended survey protocol to ensure that the best scientific 
information is incorporated into the prescribed methodology, data and 
comments on the 1999 field season protocol received by August 2, 1999, 
will be considered in the development of the year 2000 field season 
protocol.

    Dated: January 22, 1999.
Michael J. Spear,
Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 99-2264 Filed 1-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P