[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 44713-44714] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: X97-10822] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of the Draft Conservation Agreement for the Wonderland Alice-flower (Gilia Caespitosa) for Review and Comment AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability of a Draft Conservation Agreement for the Wonderland Alice-flower (Gilia caespitosa). This species is a candidate for listing as endangered or threatened under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The Draft Conservation Agreement was developed jointly by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service as a collaborative and cooperative effort. The agreement focuses on identifying, reducing and eliminating significant threats to the species that warrant its candidate status, and on enhancing and maintaining the species population to ensure its long term conservation. The Fish and Wildlife Service solicits review and comment from the public on this draft agreement. DATES: Comments on the Draft Conservation Agreement must be received on or before September 22, 1997 to be considered by the Fish and Wildlife Service during preparation of the final Conservation Agreement and prior to the Fish and Wildlife Service's determination of whether or not it will be a signatory party to the agreement. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Conservation Agreement may obtain a copy by contacting the Assistant Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 145 East 1300 South, Suite 404, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115. Written comments and materials regarding the Draft Conservation Agreement should also be directed to the same address. Comments and materials received will be available on request for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert D. Williams, Assistant Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 801/524-5001). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Gilia caespitosa is a rare vascular plant of the phlox family (Polemoniaceae). The species is restricted to limited area in Wayne County, Utah primarily on Federal lands managed by the Richfield District of the Bureau of Land Management and within Capitol Reef National Park. Smaller occurrences are located within the Dixie and Fishlake National Forests, on State of Utah Land, and on private property. Gilia caespitosa is currently a candidate species for listing under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act, in the Fish and Wildlife Service's most recent Notice of Review (61 FR 7596). The Agreement focuses on the following goals: (1) Ensure that existing regulatory mechanisms and agency funding is available to provide for the [[Page 44714]] long-term management of G. Caespitosa. (2) Inventory potential habitat for additional occurrences of the species. (3) Identify and establish management guidelines which will ensure overall long term survivability of the species. Public Comments Solicited The Fish and Wildlife Service will use information received during the public comment period in its determination as to whether it should be a signatory party to the agreements. Comments or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested party concerning the draft documents are hereby solicited. All comments and materials received will be considered prior to the approval of any final document. Author: The primary author of this notice is John L. England (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 801/524-5001). Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) Dated: August 15, 1997. Elliott N. Sutta, Acting Regional Director, Denver, Colorado. [FR. 97-22312 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M