57712 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 186 / Monday, September 27, 2004 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR at the above address, or fax your Deforestation for residential and tourist comments to (787) 851–7440. development may also pose imminent Fish and Wildlife Service Comments and materials received are threats to the survival of the species. available for public inspection on Fire may also be a threat to the known Notice of Availability of a Technical request, by appointment, during normal population on the island of St. Croix. Agency Draft Recovery Plan for the business hours at the above address. Fire is not a natural component of Endangered melanocarpa FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: subtropical dry forest in and for Review and Comment Marelisa Rivera at the above address Virgin Islands. Species found in this type of forest are not fire adapted. AGENCY: (Telephone 787–851–7297, ext. 231). Fish and Wildlife Service, Restoring an endangered or SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interior. threatened animal or to the point ACTION: Notice of document availability Background where it is again a secure, self- and public comment period. We listed Catesbaea melanocarpa as sustaining member of its ecosystem is a endangered on March 17, 1999, under primary goal of the endangered species SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife program. To help guide this recovery Service, announce the availability of the the Act (64 FR 13116). Catesbaea melanocarpa is a small spiny of effort, we are preparing recovery plans technical agency draft recovery plan for for most listed species. Recovery plans the family Rubiacea. It belongs to a Catesbaea melanocarpa (no common describe actions considered necessary genus which consists of ten or more name). Catesbaea melanocarpa is for conservation of the species, establish species of spiny . It is a branching extremely rare and is known from criteria for downlisting or delisting, and shrub which may reach approximately Puerto Rico, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin estimate time and cost for implementing 9.8 feet (ft) (3.0 meters (m)) in height. Islands (USVI), Barbuda, Antigua, and recovery measures. . The technical agency draft Spines are borne at every internode The Act requires the development of recovery plan includes interim recovery (space between nodes) and are from 0.39 recovery plans for listed species, unless objectives and criteria to be met in order to 0.78 inches (in) (1.00 to 2.00 such a plan would not promote the to downlist Catesbaea melanocarpa to centimeters (cm)) long. Leaves are small, conservation of a particular species. threatened under the Endangered from 0.19 to 1.0 in (5.00 to 25.00 Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). millimeters (mm)) long, and 0.07 to 0.58 provide a public notice and an Given the limited information on the in (2.00 to 15.00 mm) wide, often opportunity for public review and current number of individuals opposite. The flowers are white, solitary comment during recovery plan throughout the species range and the or paired, and almost lacking a stalk in development. We will consider all limited knowledge on biology, habitat the axils. The petals are united in the information presented during a public requirements and genetic information, form of a funnel and measure from 0.31 comment period prior to approval of we recognize the need to generate to 0.39 in (8.00 to 10.00 mm) long. The each new or revised recovery plan. We scientific information to better address fruit is black, spherical, and 0.19 to 0.23 and other Federal agencies will take the threats and limiting factors to this in (5.00 to 6.00 mm) in diameter. The these comments into account in the species and to develop specific recovery two-celled fruit contains five to seven course of implementing approved criteria. Therefore, the interim goal of seeds in each cell. recovery plans. this recovery plan is to protect and Catesbaea melanocarpa is extremely Given the limited information on the enhance existing populations to the rare. In the U.S. , it is known current number of individuals point that downlisting to threatened is from only one individual in Cabo Rojo, throughout the species range and the warranted. We are soliciting review and Puerto Rico and approximately 100 limited knowledge on biology, habitat comment on this technical agency draft individuals in one location in St. Croix, requirements and genetic information, recovery plan from local, State, USVI. All known individuals in Puerto we recognize the need to generate Territorial, and Federal agencies, and Rico and the USVI occur on privately- scientific information to better address the public. owned lands. The species is also found the threats and limiting factors to this on the islands of Barbuda, Antigua, and species and to develop specific recovery DATES: In order to be considered, we Guadeloupe; however, little is known of must receive comments on the technical criteria. Therefore, the interim goal of their status on these islands. this recovery plan is to protect and agency draft recovery plan on or before Because so few individuals of enhance existing populations to the November 26, 2004. Catesbaea melanocarpa are known to point that downlisting to threatened is ADDRESSES: If you wish to review this occur in limited areas, the risk of warranted. In order to achieve our technical agency draft recovery plan, extinction is extremely high. Both interim recovery goal, we believe it will you may obtain a copy by contacting the known locations are privately-owned be necessary to protect and enhance Boquero´n Field Office, U.S. Fish and and subject to pressure for development. habitat known to support existing Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 491, The location in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, populations through landowner Boquero´n, Puerto Rico 00622 (telephone is currently proposed for a high density conservation agreements or easements, 787–851–7297), or by visiting our residential/tourist development. In St. enhance existing populations, establish recovery plan Web site at http:// Croix, the population is subject to new self-sustaining populations within endangered.fws.gov/recovery/ impacts from intense grazing activities known range of the species, and index.html#plans. If you wish to and the land is also subject to pressure conduct research on key biological and comment, you may submit your for a golf course development. genetic issues, including effective comments by one of the following Catastrophic natural events, such as propagation techniques, necessary to methods: hurricanes, may dramatically affect define recovery criteria. As these 1. You may submit written comments forest species composition and interim recovery criteria are met, the and materials to the Field Supervisor, at structure, felling large trees and creating status of the species will be reviewed the above address. numerous canopy gaps. The population and it will be considered for 2. You may hand-deliver written in St. Croix lost individuals following downlisting to threatened on the comments to our Boquero´n Field Office, the passing of in 1989. Federal List of Endangered and

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Threatened Wildlife and (50 CFR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken field tour to the Hopland Experimental part 17). Smith, (719) 269–8500. Station in Hopland, Calif. On Friday, the meeting begins at 8 a.m. in the Public Comments Solicited SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15 member Council advises the Secretary Conference Room of the BLM Ukiah We solicit written comments on the of the Interior, through the Bureau of Field Office. Time for public comment recovery plan described. We will Land Management, on a variety of has been set aside for 1 p.m. consider all comments received by the planning and management issues FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rich date specified above prior to final associated with public land Burns, Manager, BLM Ukiah Field approval of the draft recovery plan. management in the Royal Gorge Field Office, (707) 468–4000; or BLM Public Our practice is to make all comments, Office and San Luis Valley, Colorado. Affairs Officer Joseph J. Fontana, (530) including names and home addresses of Planned agenda topics include: Manager 252–5332. respondents, available for public review updates on current land management SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 12- during regular business hours. issues; San Luis Valley and Arkansas member council advises the Secretary of Individual respondents may request that River Travel Management Plan updates/ the Interior, through the BLM, on a we withhold their home addresses from discussion and a discussion on the variety of planning and management the record, which we will honor to the Simpson and McIntire Property. All issues associated with public land extent allowable by law. In some meetings are open to the public. The management in Northwest California. At circumstances, we would withhold also public is encouraged to make oral this meeting, agenda topics will include from the rulemaking record a comments to the Council at 9:15 a.m. or discussion of a new Resource respondent’s identity, as allowable by written statements may be submitted for Management Plan for the Ukiah Field law. If you wish for us to withhold your the Councils consideration. Depending Office, comments on the draft name and/or address, you must state on the number of persons wishing to management plan/environmental this prominently at the beginning of comment and time available, the time impact statement for the California your comments. However, we will not for individual oral comments may be Coastal National Monument, discussion consider anonymous comments. We limited. Summary minutes for the of the BLM recreation program in will make all submissions from Council Meeting will be maintained in California, and an overview of T–21 organizations or businesses, and from the Royal Gorge Field Office and will be legislation. The RAC members will also individuals identifying themselves as available for public inspection and hear status reports from the Arcata, representatives or officials of reproduction during regular business Redding and Ukiah field office organizations or businesses, available hours within thirty (30) days following managers. All meetings are open to the for public inspection in their entirety. the meeting. Meeting Minutes are also public. Members of the public may Authority: The authority for this action is available at: http://www.blm.gov/rac/co/ present written comments to the section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of frrac/co_fr.htm. council. Each formal council meeting 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). will have time allocated for public Dated: September 17, 2004. Dated: August 2, 2004. comments. Depending on the number of Linda McGlothlen, persons wishing to speak, and the time Sam D. Hamilton, Acting Royal Gorge Field Manager. available, the time for individual Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 04–21563 Filed 9–24–04; 8:45 am] comments may be limited. Members of [FR Doc. 04–21565 Filed 9–24–04; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P the public are welcome on field tours, BILLING CODE 4310–55–P but they must provide their own transportation and lunch. Individuals DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR who plan to attend and need special DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR assistance, such as sign language Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management interpretation and other reasonable [CA–310–0777–XG] accommodations, should contact the BLM as provided above. [CO–200–0777–XZ–241A] Notice of Public Meeting: Northwest California Resource Advisory Council Dated: September 20, 2004. Notice of Meeting, Front Range Joseph J. Fontana, Resource Advisory Council (Colorado) AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Public Affairs Officer. Interior. AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, [FR Doc. 04–21607 Filed 9–24–04; 8:45 am] ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting. Interior. BILLING CODE 4310–40–P ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SUMMARY: In accordance with the Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and the Federal Federal Land Policy and Management Advisory Committee Act of 1972 Minerals Management Service Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Interior, Bureau of Land Management Notice and Agenda for Meeting of the Department of the Interior, Bureau of (BLM) Northwest California Resource Royalty Policy Committee Land Management (BLM), Front Range Advisory Council will meet as indicated Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will AGENCY: Minerals Management Service below. (MMS), Interior. meet as indicated below. DATES: The meeting will be held ACTION: Notice of meeting. DATES: The meeting will be held Thursday and Friday, Nov. 4 and 5, November 3, 2004, from 9:15 a.m. to 4 2004, at the Bureau of Land SUMMARY: At the first meeting of the p.m. Management Ukiah Field Office, 2550 newly chartered Royalty Policy ADDRESSES: Holy Cross Abbey North State St., Ukiah, Calif. On Committee (RPC), a chairperson, vice- Community Center, 2951 E. Highway Thursday, the council will convene at chairperson, and parliamentarian will 50, Canon City, Colorado 81212. 10 a.m. and depart immediately for a be elected and bylaws for meeting

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