Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Shenandoah Salamander for Review and Comment

Resumen

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability for public review of a draft Recovery Plan for the Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah). The Shenandoah salamander is limited to mountain slopes within the boundaries of Shenandoah National Park in Page and Madison Counties, Virginia. It was listed as endangered in 1989 due to competition with the redbacked salamander (Plethodon cinereus) and eventual succession of the Shenandoah salamander's talus- slope habitat to conditions favoring the redbacked salamander. Human- related factors potentially affecting the Shenandoah salamander include potentially adverse physiological and/or reproductive effects associated with acid deposition, and defoliation of trees associated with non-native insect outbreaks. The primary recovery strategy for this species is to minimize any human-related impacts on the Shenandoah salamander while monitoring the effects of natural competition. The Service solicits review and comment from the public on this draft Plan.