Notice of Availability of Final Revised Sonoran Pronghorn Recovery Plan

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Availability of Final Revised Sonoran Pronghorn

Recovery Plan

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

for public review of Final Revised Sonoran Pronghorn (Antilocapra

americana sonoriensis) Recovery Plan 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 300 in the United States and

less 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 be limiting

factors. Although the Service considers this document to be in its

final form, the Service is interested in comments from interested

parties. The Service will consider all comments and may decide to amend

this document at a later date based upon input received and upon the

results and proceedings of a Sonoran Pronghorn Workshop to be held

tentatively during the last week of January 1999.

DATES: The Service will be open to written advice and comment on the

Final Revised Recovery Plan through January 29, 1999. Additionally, in

cooperation with the U.S. Marine Corps, the Service will co-sponsor a

Sonoran Pronghorn Workshop tentatively during the last week in January

1999. Parties interested in attending the Sonoran Pronghorn Workshop

tentatively scheduled for the last week of January 1999, should contact

Mr. Ron Pearce, Range Management Director, United States Marine Corps

Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, at (520) 341-3401.

ADDRESSES: Address requests for copies of the document, comments on the

Final Recovery Plan, or requests for more information to Laura

Thompson-Olais, Ecologist, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, 1611

North Second Avenue, Ajo, Arizona 85321.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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, the Service is working to prepare recovery plans for

most of the listed species native to the United States. Recovery plans

describe actions considered necessary for conservation of the species,

criteria for recognizing the recovery levels for down-listing or de-

listing them, and initial estimates of times and costs to implement the

needed recovery measures.

Authority

The Authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered

Species Act 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

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 period 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 plans. The Service may also decide to

amend the Plan if necessary.

A recovery plan for Sonoran pronghorn was approved in 1982.

Subsequent to the development of the original recovery plan, a large

group of Sonoran proghorn were documented drinking free-standing water

during the summer which verified their use of water. This and

additional new information learned about the biology and ecology of the

animal have necessitated revision of the original recovery plan.

The availability of the draft revised Sonoran pronghorn recovery

plan for review and comment was announced in the Federal Register on

September 7, 1994. The revised plan, however, was never completed and

further changes to the plan have been made since then. This notice

gives the public another opportunity for review and comment before the

final revised plan is approved.

Recovery will focus on enhancing present populations, addressing

expansion of presently used habitat, protecting present range and

establishing a new separate herd of self-sustaining animals to guard

against catastrophes decimating the core population.

Dated: November 23, 1998.

Renne Lohoefener,

Acting Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 98-32052 Filed 12-1-98; 8:45 am]

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