[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4029]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 23, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Snake River Aquatic 
Species for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability 
for public review of a draft recovery plan for the Snake River aquatic 
species. The Snake River species include five Snake River molluscs 
listed as threatened (Bliss Rapids Snail) or endangered (the Snake 
River Physa, Banbury Springs lanx or limpet, Utah Valvata Snail and 
Idaho Springsnail) (57 FR 59244), three additional molluscs and one 
fish taxa currently listed as Federal candidate species, and two State 
of Idaho Sensitive fish taxa. The aquatic habitats essential to all 
these species throughout the Snake River are similar and cannot be 
isolated for recovery purposes. The primary and immediate recovery 
objectives of this Plan include implementing the conservation measures 
to prevent the extinction and/or further decline of existing colonies 
of the listed snails by eliminating or reducing known threats. Basic 
information necessary to establish recovery criteria so that the listed 
species can be reclassified or delisted will also be collected. Long 
term objectives are to reverse declining habitat trends and restore the 
Snake River ecosystem so that self-reproducing colonies of the four 
endangered and one threatened snails are protected to the point that 
they are delisted. The Service solicits review and comment from the 
public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before April 25, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the State Supervisor, Ecological Services--Idaho 
State Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4696 Overland Road, Room 
576, Boise, Idaho 3705 or by calling (208) 334-1931. Written comments 
and materials regarding the draft recovery plan should be addressed to 
the State Supervisor--Ecological Services, at the above address. 
Comments and materials received are also available on request for 
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Charles H. Lobedell, Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological 
Services--Idaho State Office, 4696 Overland Road, Room 576, Boise, 
Idaho 83705. (208) 334-1931.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point 
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem is 
a primary goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 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 the 
recovery levels for downlisting and delisting species, and estimate 
time and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) 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 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 approving recovery plans.
    The Snake River sub-basin above C.J. Strike dam provides habitat 
for a minimum 16 native fish taxa and 42 native molluscs. This includes 
five Snake River snails listed as threatened or endangered, three 
additional molluscs and one fish taxa currently listed as Federal 
candidate species, and two State of Idaho Sensitive fish taxa. With the 
advent of exploration and development, the Snake River ecosystem has 
undergone significant transformation from a primarily cold-water lotic 
system towards a slow-moving warm-water system when compared with its 
historic fauna. The human-induced environmental stressors to the 
formerly fast-and cold-water Snake River environment include numerous 
point and non-point pollution sources, diversion of water for 
irrigation or hydropower, and construction of several mainstem dams. 
The draft recovery plan specifically addresses the five Federally 
listed Snake River snails (December 24, 1992; 57 FR 59244). However, 
the aquatic habitats essential to these species and other candidate 
fish and mollusc endemic throughout the Snake River are similar and 
cannot be isolated for recovery purposes. Therefore, the draft recovery 
plan and the entire recovery effort is designed to recover the entire 
Snake River ecosystem from C.J. Strke Dam to the confluence of the 
Blackfoot River rather than individual species.

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 11, 1994.
Marvin L. Plenert,
Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-4029 Filed 2-22-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M