[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]


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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.

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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