[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 126 (Friday, July 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16024]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 1, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Notice of
Interagency Cooperative Policy on Recovery Plan Participation and
Implementation Under the Endangered Species Act
AGENCIES: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior, and National Marine
Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of policy statement.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries
Service (hereafter referred to as Services) announce interagency policy
relative to recovery plan participation and implementation under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This cooperative policy is
intended to minimize social and economic impacts consistent with timely
recovery of species listed as threatened or endangered under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In addition, this
policy provides a Participation Plan process, which involves all
appropriate agencies and affected interests in a mutually-developed
strategy to implement one or more recovery actions.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Rappaport Clark, Chief, Division
of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ARLSQ 452, 18th
and C Streets NW., Washington, DC 20240 (telephone 703/358-2171), or
Russell Bellmer, Chief, Endangered Species Division, National Marine
Fisheries Service, 1335 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland
20910 (telephone 301/713-2322).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 4(f) of the Act directs the Secretary of the Commerce and
the Secretary of Interior to develop and implement recovery plans for
animal and plant species listed as endangered or threatened, unless
such plans would not promote the conservation of the species.
Coordination among State, Tribal or Federal agencies, academic
institutions, private individuals and organizations, commercial
enterprises, and other affected parties is perhaps the most essential
ingredient for recovering a species.
Policy
To enhance recovery plan development and implementation, while
recommending measures that accomplish the goals of a recovery plan, the
Services will:
A. Diversify areas of expertise represented on a recovery team,
B. Develop multiple species plans when possible,
C. Minimize the social and economic impacts of implementing recovery
actions,
D. Involve representatives of affected groups and provide stakeholders
the opportunity to participate in recovery plan development, and
E. Develop recovery plans within 2 1/2 years after final listing.
(1) Recovery Plan Preparation and Process
The method to be used for recovery plan preparation shall be based
on several factors, including the range or ecosystem of the species
(limited vs. extensive), the complexity of the recovery actions
contemplated, the number of organizations responsible for the
implementation of the recovery tasks, the availability and expertise of
personnel, and the availability of funds. Outside expertise in the form
of recovery teams, other Federal agencies, State agency personnel,
Tribal governments, private conservation organizations, and private
contractors shall be used, as necessary, to develop and implement
recovery plans in a timely manner that will minimize the social and
economic consequences of plan implementation.
Team members should be selected for their knowledge of the species
or for expertise in elements of recovery plan design or implementation
(such as local planning, rural sociology, economics, forestry, etc.),
rather than their professional or other affiliations. Teams are to be
composed of recognized experts in their fields and are encouraged to
explore all avenues in arriving at solutions necessary to recover
threatened or endangered species. Factors for selection of team members
are (1) expertise (including current involvement, if possible), with
respect to the species, closely related species, or the ecosystem in
which it is or may once again become a part, (2) special knowledge of
one or more threats contributing to the listed status of the species
and (3) knowledge of one or more related disciplines, such as land use
planning, state regulations, etc. The Services also will select team
members based on special knowledge essential for the development of
recovery implementation schedules, particularly development of
Participation Plans that are intended to minimize the social and
economic effects of recovery actions. Teams should include
representatives of State, Tribal, or Federal agencies, academic
institutions, private individuals and organizations, commercial
enterprises, and other constituencies with an interest in the species
and its recovery or the economic or social impacts of recovery.
(2) Involvement of Affected Groups
Whether a recovery plan is developed by the Service's biologists,
contractors, or a recovery team, each plan will seek the best
information to fulfill the intent of the Act regarding recovery
planning. This information and input from affected interests will be
used to develop alternatives for recovery implementation that not only
meet requirements for the recovery of a species, but minimize social
and economic effects of recovery actions. Representatives of affected
interests that can be determined during recovery plan development will
be asked to participate during plan development and implementation.
(3) Implementing Recovery Actions
Implementation of recovery plans will be accomplished through the
means that will provide for timely recovery of the species while
minimizing social and economic impacts. The Services will involve all
affected interests in the recovery plan implementation process through
the development of a Participation Plan. A Participation Plan should
involve all appropriate agencies and affected interests in a mutually
developed strategy to implement one of more specifically designated
recovery actions. Participation Plans should ensure that a feasible
strategy is developed for all affected interests while providing
realistic and timely recovery of the species.
Nothing in this policy is intended to change the current policy of
developing recovery plans within 2\1/2\ years after final listing of a
species (18 months for draft recovery plan and a final recovery plan
within an additional 12 months of the draft).
Scope of Policy
The scope of this policy is Servicewide for all species of fish and
wildlife and plants, as defined pursuant to section 3 of the Act (16
U.S.C. 1532).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 5131-1544).
Dated: June 27, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
Dated: June 24, 1994.
Rolland A. Schmitten,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-16024 Filed 6-30-94; 8:45 am]
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