[Federal Register: March 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 54)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 13662-13663]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20mr03-30]
[[Page 13662]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 223
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[I.D. 022803A]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Revision of the Loggerhead
Sea Turtle Recovery Plan
AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce, and Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice to announce the revision of the loggerhead sea turtle
recovery plan; request for information.
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SUMMARY: We, NMFS and USFWS, announce our intention to revise the 1991
recovery plan for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), listed
as threatened throughout its range, under the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (ESA), as amended. The 1991 recovery plan addressed recovery needs
for the U.S. population of the loggerhead in the northwestern Atlantic
Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. A comprehensive revision of the 1991
recovery plan is needed to incorporate an abundance of new information
on the biology and population status of the loggerhead and to provide
an updated framework for addressing problems of the species and for
prioritizing actions necessary for recovery.To ensure a comprehensive
revision, we are soliciting information on the loggerhead population
status and trends, threats and conservation efforts.
DATES: Information related to this notice must be received by May 5,
2003, to be considered in the initial stages of the revision. However,
we will accept information and comments submitted after this date, for
consideration at later stages in the recovery process, until further
notice.
ADDRESSES: Information should be addressed to the National Sea Turtle
Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint Drive
South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32216. Information may also be sent
via fax to 904-232-2404 or through the internet website address for the
loggerhead recovery plan at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://northflorida.fws.gov/SeaTurtles/loggerhead-recovery/default-loggerhead.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Schroeder (ph. 301-713-1401,
fax 301-713-0376, e-mail Barbara.Schroeder@noaa.gov) or Sandy
MacPherson (ph. 904-232-2580, fax 904-232-2404, e-mail sandy_
macpherson@fws.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The loggerhead was listed as threatened under the ESA in 1978. Upon
listing a species, section 4(f) of the ESA requires the preparation and
implementation of a recovery plan and revisions to such plans as
necessary. Under section 4(f)(1)(B), each plan, at a minimum, must
contain: (a) A description of such site-specific management actions as
may be necessary to achieve the plan's goal for the conservation and
survival of the species; (b) objective, measurable criteria that, when
met, would result in a determination, in accordance with the provisions
of this section, that the species be removed from the list; and (c)
estimates of the time required and the cost to carry out those measures
needed to achieve the plan's goal and to achieve intermediate steps
toward that goal.
In addition, recovery plans must include a concise summary of the
current status of the species and its life history, and an assessment
of the factors that led to population declines and/or which are
impeding recovery. The plan must also include a comprehensive
monitoring and evaluation program for gauging the effectiveness of
recovery measures and overall progress toward recovery.
Conservation and recovery of listed sea turtles, including the
loggerhead, are the joint responsibility of NMFS and USFWS. In 1984, we
issued a multi-species recovery plan for listed sea turtles in the
southeastern United States region. This plan was revisited in the early
1990's culminating in an individual species recovery plan for the
loggerhead in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico in
1991. In 2001, we initiated the process to revise the plan for a second
time. An Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle Recovery Team, consisting of
species experts, was established to draft this revision.
Since the development of the 1991 plan, significant research has
been accomplished and important conservation and recovery activities
have been undertaken. As a result, we have a greater knowledge of the
species and its status. These advances in our understanding of the
loggerhead turtle make a second revision to the recovery plan
necessary. The revised recovery plan will serve as a basis for future
recovery efforts, guide research to ensure that new information will
contribute toward the greatest research needs, and enable effective
monitoring to allow us to track the status of the loggerhead and the
factors that may affect the species.
A schedule for completing the revised recovery plan is available on
the internet website address for the loggerhead recovery plan (see
ADDRESSES). Draft sections of the Work in Progress will also be made
available on the internet website to provide interested stakeholders an
opportunity to review and provide input on the revised plan during its
development. Once all sections of the revised plan have been drafted,
we will publish a notice of availability of the draft recovery plan in
the Federal Register and will formally solicit public comment on the
draft prior to finalizing the plan.
To ensure that the revised recovery plan is based on the best
available data, we are soliciting information on historical and current
abundance; historical and current distribution and movements;
population status and trends; genetic stock identification; current or
planned activities that may adversely impact the species; and ongoing
efforts to protect the loggerhead in the northwestern Atlantic and Gulf
of Mexico. We request that all data, information, and comments be
accompanied by supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic
references, or reprints of pertinent publications.
All submissions must contain the submitter's name, address, and any
association, institution, or business that the person represents.
Comments and materials received will be available for public
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the USFWS'
Jacksonville Field Office (see ADDRESSES).
Our practice is to make comments, including names and home
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular
business hours. Respondents may request that we withhold their home
address, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There also
may be circumstances in which we would withhold a respondent's
identity, as allowable by law. If you wish for us to withhold your name
and/or address, you must state this request prominently at the
beginning of your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous
comments. To the extent consistent with
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applicable law, we will make all submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: March 14, 2003.
Phil Williams,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, National Marine Fisheries Service
Dated: March 5, 2003.
Sam D. Hamilton,
Regional Director, Southeast Region, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 03-6714 Filed 3-19-03; 8:45 am]
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