[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57357-57358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21475]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of a Final Recovery Plan for the
Threatened Guaj[oacute]n (Eleutherodactylus cooki)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability
of the final recovery plan for the guaj[oacute]n (also referred to as
the Puerto Rican demon). The guaj[oacute]n is one of sixteen species of
frogs from the genus Eleutherodactylus (commonly known as
``coqu[iacute]es'') that inhabit the island of Puerto Rico, and is also
the second largest species found on the island. The guaj[oacute]n is
extremely limited in its geographic distribution. The species inhabits
localities in the ``Sierra de Panduras'' mountain range, and the
municipalities of Yabucoa, San Lorenzo, Humacao, Las Piedras, and west
to Patillas-San Lorenzo. The guaj[oacute]n, named after the habitat it
occupies, occurs at low and intermediate elevations, from 18 to 1,183
feet (5.5 to 360.6 meters) above sea level where it inhabits caves
formed by large boulders of granite rock known as ``guajonales'' or
streams with patches of rock without cave systems. The technical agency
draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria
to be met in order to delist the guaj[oacute]n under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We solicit review and comment on
this technical agency draft recovery plan from local, State, and
Federal agencies, and the public.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the recovery plan by contacting the
Boquer[oacute]n Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box
491, Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico 00622 (telephone 787/851-7297), or by
visiting our recovery plan Web site at http://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/index.html#plans.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jorge Saliva at the above address
(Telephone 787/851-7297, ext. 24).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
We listed the guaj[oacute]n as threatened on June 11, 1997, under
the Act (62 FR 31757). The guaj[oacute]n may be the only species of
Eleutherodactylus in Puerto Rico that exhibits differences in color
between sexes. Females have solid brown coloration, with a uniformly
white undersurface. They have white-rimmed eyes, and large, truncate
disks on their feet. Males have yellow coloration extending from the
vocal sac to the abdomen and flanks. Females are larger than males,
with a mean size (snout-vent length) of 2.01 inches (in) (5.11
centimeters (cm)) for females and 1.71 in (4.34 cm) for males. The
voice of the guaj[oacute]n is low and melodious.
For this species, deforestation and earth movement for
agricultural, urban and rural development, and highway construction are
likely the principal causes for decline. In addition, the guaj[oacute]n
is threatened by the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in
adjacent areas, illegal garbage dumping, and the effects of
catastrophic natural events such as droughts and hurricanes. Additional
research is planned to look at these and other potential causes for
decline.
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 endangered species program. To help guide the
recovery effort, we are preparing recovery plans for most listed
species. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for
conservation of the species, establish criteria for downlisting or
delisting, and estimate time and cost for implementing recovery
measures.
The 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 requires us to provide a
public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during
recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented
during a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised
recovery plan. We and other Federal agencies will take these comments
into account in the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
The objective of this recovery plan is to provide a framework for
the recovery of the guaj[oacute]n so that protection under the Act is
no longer necessary. As
[[Page 57358]]
recovery criteria are met, the status of the species will be reviewed
and they will be considered for removal from the Federal List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR part 17).
Authority
The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533 (f).
Dated: August 31, 2004.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Deputy Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 04-21475 Filed 9-23-04; 8:45 am]
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