[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3667]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 17, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Availability of the Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for the 
Pygmy Madtom for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the pygmy 
madtom. This small catfish presently has a very fragmented 
distribution, but the species was probably formerly much more 
widespread within the Tennessee River system. The pygmy madtom is 
currently known to inhabit only two short river reaches within the Duck 
River, Humphreys County, Tennessee, and the Clinch River, Hancock 
County, Tennessee. The species has been and continues to be impacted by 
water quality deterioration. This deterioration occurred as a result of 
siltation (contributed by coal mining and poor land use practices), 
other water pollution, and impoundments. The Service solicits review 
and comments from the public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the technical/agency draft recovery plan must be 
received on or before April 18, 1994 to receive consideration by the 
Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 330 Ridgefield Court, Asheville, North Carolina 28806. Written 
comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the 
Field Supervisor at the above address. Comments and materials received 
are available on request for public inspection, by appointment, during 
normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Richard Biggins at the address and telephone number shown above 
(Ext. 228).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point 
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems is a primary goal of the Service's endangered species 
program. To help guide the recovery effort, the Service is working to 
prepare recovery plans for most of the listed species native to the 
United States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for 
conservation of the species, establish criteria for recognizing the 
recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and estimate time 
and cost to implement the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.) (Act), requires the development of recovery plans for listed 
species unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a 
particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended in 1988, 
requires that a public notice and an opportunity for public review and 
comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service will 
consider all information presented during a public comment period prior 
to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other 
Federal agencies will also take these comments into account in the 
course of implementing approved recovery plans.
    The primary species considered in this draft recovery plan is the 
pygmy madtom (Noturus stanauli). The area of emphasis for recovery 
actions is the Duck River, Humphreys County, Tennessee, and the Clinch 
River, Hancock County, Tennessee. The protection of existing 
populations, habitat restoration, preservation of genetic material, and 
public education are among the management actions outlined in the plan.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan 
described. All comments received by the date specified above will be 
considered prior to approval of the plan.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

    Dated: February 8, 1994.
Richard G. Biggins,
Acting Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-3667 Filed 2-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M