[Federal Register: July 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 133)] [Notices] [Page 37806] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr13jy99-110] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) for Review and Comment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana), a species that is federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This species occurs on public and private land in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Service solicits review and comment from the public on this draft plan. DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by September 13, 1999 will be considered by the Service. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain a copy by contacting the Field Supervisor, Chicago, Illinois, Field Office, 1000 Hart Road, Suite 180, Barrington, Illinois 60010, telephone (847) 381-2253. Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the Field Supervisor at the above address. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection by appointment during normal business hours, at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louise Clemency at the above address, or telephone at (847) 381-2253, x215. 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 Service's endangered species program. To help guide the recovery effort, the Service is working to prepare recovery plans for most of the federally threatened and endangered species native to the United States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria which when met would result in a determination that the species no longer needs the protection of the Act, and provide estimates of the time and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act), 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 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 also take these comments into consideration in the course of implementing approved recovery plans. The Hine's emerald dragonfly was listed as endangered on January 26, 1994. It inhabits marshes, sedge meadows, wet prairies and fens that have small ground water fed streams and occur in areas of dolomite bedrock. Fragmentation and destruction of habitat are believed to be the main reasons for this species' endangered status and continue to be the primary threats to its recovery. The species also seems to be vulnerable to off-site impacts to the ground water that feeds the habitat. The Hine's emerald dragonfly currently occurs at nine sites in the lower DesPlaines River valley in Illinois, at eleven sites in Door County, Wisconsin, and at seven sites in the Hiawatha National Forest in Mackinac County, Michigan. The Hine's emerald dragonfly has apparently been extirpated from Indiana and Ohio. Recovery will be achieved and this species may be removed from the list of threatened and endangered plants when at least six viable populations, each composed of at least three subpopulations supporting 500 reproductive adults, are being protected and managed for the dragonfly. Site protection will be accomplished through negotiating cooperative agreements with landowners and working with land managers. Other recovery activities will include managing habitat, restoring populations, monitoring populations to detect trends, research, surveys, and conducting a general information program for the public. Public Comments Solicited The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan described. All comments received by September 13, 1999 will be considered prior to approval of the plan. Comments should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Chicago, Illinois, Field Office, at the above address. Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). Dated: July 6, 1999. Charles M. Wooley, Program Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Region 3, Fort Snelling, Minnesota. [FR Doc. 99-17676 Filed 7-12-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P