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We are trying to minimize any economic and social effects from 

 implementation of recovery measures by attempting to select those 

 less costly options where equal or greater biological benefits 

 are expected. We acknowledge the difficulty in identifying the 

 least cost alternatives. The recovery plan, however, will be 

 based on the biological requirements of the species necessary for 

 timely recovery. 



ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A RECOVERY PLAN: In addition to 

 recommendations of recovery measures, a recovery plan must 

 identify the cost of the measures to all affected parties, 

 develop a schedule to implement each measure, and identify 

 parties responsible for implementing them. Since these elements 

 largely were absent from the Team's recommendations, NMFS 

 currently is developing this information for inclusion in the 

 proposed and final recovery plans. In addition, we have nearly 

 completed a technical review of the Team's recommendations. As 

 our analysis of existing and new scientific information dictates, 

 we will update and provide additional detail /measures to the 

 Team's recommendations. 



CONCLUSION: 



We encourage all affected interests to continue to contribute to 

 the identification and the development of recovery actions. We 

 believe that participation by State, Tribal and Federal agencies, 

 academic institutions, environmental groups, private individuals 



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