Availability of a Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Sonoran Pronghorn for Review and Comment

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Availability of a Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Sonoran

Pronghorn for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the

availability for public review of a draft revised recovery plan for the

Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis) which the Service

listed as an endangered species on March 11, 1967 (32 FR 4001). This

animal's population is estimated to be less than 800 animals; less than

300 in the United States and no more than 500 in the State of Sonora,

Mexico. Distribution is limited primarily to Sonoran desert habitats.

Factors that limit population growth are not well understood. However,

loss of habitat due to drying of extended reaches of the Gila and

Sonoyta Rivers, competition from domestic livestock, and human

encroachment are believed to be limiting factors. Illegal hunting and

predation on fawns may also limit growth of some populations. 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 November 7, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain

a copy by contacting the Refuge Manager, Cabeza Prieta National

Wildlife Refuge, 1611 North Second Avenue, Ajo, Arizona 85321. Written

comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the

Refuge Manager. Comments and materials received are available on

request for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business

hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura A. Thompson-Olais, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service Biologist, (602) 387-6483, or at the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Restoring an endangered or threatened plant or animal to the point

that 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 is working to

prepare recovery plans for most of the listed species native to the

United States. Recovery plans describe site-specific management actions

considered necessary for conservation and survival of the species,

establish objective, measurable criteria for the recovery levels for

downlisting or delisting species, and estimate time and cost for

implementing the recovery measures needed.

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 an opportunity for public review and

comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service will

consider all information presented during a public comment prior to

approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other

Federal agencies will also take these comments into account in the

course of implementing approved recovery plans.

Sonoran pronghorn habitat in the United States consists of broad

alluvial valleys separated by blocked-faulted mountains. Creosote and

white bursage are the dominate vegetation in these valleys. Sonoran

pronghorn are found in the creosote-bursage plant association

throughout the year, but utilize areas containing palo verde-mixed

cacti plant associations during spring and summer months. The

requirement of water for drinking has not been verified. In Mexico,

Sonoran pronghorn are found in areas where permanent water is not

available, and there is no evidence of them traveling long distances to

obtain water. The Recovery Plan has been revised to include research

results obtained since the original recovery plan was completed in 1982

and to reflect recovery objectives that reflect current information

known about the species.

The Sonoran Pronghorn Recovery Plan has been reviewed by the

appropriate Service staff in the Southwest Region. The plan will be

finalized and approved following incorporation of comments and

materials received during this comment period.

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 the 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: August 30, 1994.

Lynn B. Starnes,

Acting Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 94-21964 Filed 9-6-94; 8:45 am]

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