Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Endangered Status for Catesbaea Melanocarpa

The Service proposes to determine Catesbaea melanocarpa (no common name) to be an endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Catesbaea melanocarpa is known from Puerto Rico, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Barbuda, Antigua, and Guadeloupe. In Puerto Rico, it is currently known from only one location in Cabo Rojo, and in the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is known from one location near Christiansted, St. Croix. Both populations are located on privately owned land subject to intense pressure for development for residential, tourism and industrial purposes. This proposal, if made final, would implement the Federal protection and recovery provisions afforded by the Act for C. melanocarpa. The Service seeks data and comments from the public on this proposal.