[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9070]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AC01

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of 
Endangered Status for the Royal Snail and Anthony's Riversnail

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines 
endangered status for the royal snail (Pyrgulopsis (=Marstonia) 
ogmorhaphe) and Anthony's riversnail (Athearnia anthonyi) under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The royal snail is 
known only from two spring runs on public lands in the Sequatchie River 
system, Marion County, Tennessee. The extremely limited distribution of 
the royal snail and the limited amount of occupied habitat make this 
species extremely vulnerable to extinction. Anthony's riversnail is 
known from two small populations--one in the Sequatchie River, Marion 
County, Tennessee, and one in Limestone Creek, Limestone County, 
Alabama. These populations are threatened by the general water quality 
deterioration that has resulted from siltation and other pollutants 
contributed by such factors as coal mining, poor land use practices, 
and waste discharges. The protection and recovery provisions afforded 
by the Act for the royal snail and Anthony's riversnail are implemented 
by this final rule.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 16, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The complete file for this rule is available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 330 Ridgefield 
Court, Asheville, North Carolina 28806.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Allen Ratzlaff or Mr. Richard 
G. Biggins at the above address (704/665-1195, Ext. 229 or 228, 
respectively).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Royal Snail

    The royal snail (Marstonia ogmorhaphe) was described by Thompson in 
1977 and was later reassigned to the genus Pyrgulopsis by Hershler and 
Thompson (1987). The royal snail is a small (usually less than 5 
millimeters (0.25 inch) in length) annual species distinguished from 
other closely related species by (1) its relatively large size; (2) its 
large number of whorls (5.2 to 5.8); (3) its deeply incised, suture-
producing, strongly shouldered whorls, which are almost flat above; (4) 
its complete aperture, which is broadly ovate in shape with a rounded 
posterior corner; (5) its outer lip, which is slightly arched forward 
in lateral profile; (6) its thin shell; (7) its conical-terete shape; 
and (8) its enlarged bursa copulatrix with a completely exposed duct 
(Thompson 1977).
    The royal snail is known from only two spring runs in the 
Sequatchie River system in Marion County, Tennessee. Royal snails are 
generally found in the diatomaceous ``ooze'' and on leaves and twigs in 
the quieter pools downstream from the spring source.
    While no populations of the royal snail are known to have been 
lost, the general deterioration of the water quality that has resulted 
from siltation and other pollutants contributed by coal mining, poor 
land use practices, and waste discharges likely are impacting the 
species. This could result in serious, irreversible decline of the 
species. Additionally, because both existing populations inhabit 
extremely limited areas, they are very vulnerable to extirpation from 
accidental toxic chemical spills or vandalism.
    On December 17, 1992, the Service notified by mail (28 letters) the 
potentially affected Federal and State agencies, local governments, and 
interested individuals within the species' present range that a status 
review of the royal snail was being conducted. Three agencies and one 
private organization responded. The Tennessee Valley Authority 
supported proposing the species for listing. The Tennessee Wildlife 
Resources Agency, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, and the one 
responding private organization did not take a position on the 
potential listing. No objections to the potential listing of the royal 
snail were received.

Anthony's Riversnail

    Anthony's riversnail was originally described from specimens 
collected in the Holston River, near Knoxville, Tennessee (``Budd,'' in 
Redfield 1854). This relatively large freshwater snail, which grows to 
about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in length, is ovate and olive green to 
yellowish brown in color. Anthony's riversnail is listed by the 
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as a threatened 
species (Bogan and Parmalee 1983).
    Anthony's riversnail is primarily a big-river species that was 
historically associated with shoal areas in the main stem of the 
Tennessee River and the lower reaches of some of its tributaries. There 
are historical records of the species from the lower French Broad 
River, Knox County, Tennessee; Nolichucky River, Green County, 
Tennessee; Clinch River, Jefferson County, Tennessee; Beaver Creek, 
Knox County, Tennessee; Little Tennessee River, Monroe and Loudon 
Counties, Tennessee; Tellico River, Monroe County, Tennessee; 
Sequatchie and Little Sequatchie Rivers and Battle Creek, Marion 
County, Tennessee; South Chickamauga and Tiger Creeks, Catoosa County, 
Georgia; Limestone Creek, Limestone County, Alabama; and Tennessee 
River, Knox and Loudon Counties, Tennessee, and Jackson, Limestone, and 
Lauderdale Counties, Alabama (Bogan and Parmalee 1983; Gordon 1991; F. 
Thompson, Florida Museum of Natural History, personal communication, 
1991). Presently, only two small populations are known to survive--one 
in the Sequatchie River, Marion County, Tennessee (M. Gordon, Tennessee 
Technological University, and S. Ahlstedt, Tennessee Valley Authority, 
personal communications 1991), and one in Limestone Creek, Limestone 
County, Alabama (Thompson, personal communication, 1991; Garner 1992). 
Many populations were lost when much of the Tennessee River and the 
lower reaches of its tributaries were impounded. The general water 
quality deterioration that has resulted from siltation and other 
pollutants contributed by coal mining, poor land use practices, and 
waste discharges was likely responsible for the species' further 
decline. These factors continue to impact the Sequatchie River and 
Limestone Creek populations.
    Both existing populations inhabit short river reaches; thus, they 
are very vulnerable to extirpation from accidental toxic chemical 
spills. As the Sequatchie River and Limestone Creek are isolated by 
impoundments from other Tennessee River tributaries, recolonization of 
any extirpated populations would be unlikely without human 
intervention. Additionally, because these populations are isolated, 
their long-term genetic viability is questionable.
    Anthony's riversnail (Athearnia anthonyi) first appeared as a 
candidate species (category 2) on May 22, 1984, in the Invertebrate 
Notice or Review (49 FR 21664-21675). This taxon was reassigned from 
category 2 to category 3B on January 6, 1989, in the Animal Notice of 
Review (54 FR 554-579). The change in category was based on information 
that Anthony's riversnail was not a distinct species, but that it was 
instead the same as another category 2 species, the boulder snail 
(Leptoxis (=Athearnia) crassa). Gordon (1991) examined juveniles of 
both species and concluded that the two snails are distinct species. 
However, as the boulder snail is apparently extinct (Bogan and Parmalee 
1983, Gordon 1991), their distinctiveness is irrelevant.
    On June 12, 1992, the Service notified by mail (37 letters) the 
potentially affected Federal and State agencies, local governments, and 
interested individuals within the species' present range that a status 
review of the Anthony's riversnail was being conducted. Four agencies 
responded. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation 
supported proposing the species for listing. The Tennessee Valley 
Authority, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, and Tennessee State Planning 
Office responded to the notification letter but did not take a position 
on the potential listing. No objections to the potential listing of the 
Anthony's riversnail were received.

Summary of Comments and Recommendations

    In the August 5, 1993, proposed rule (58 FR 41690) on the royal 
snail and Anthony's riversnail and through associated notifications, 
all interested parties were requested to submit factual reports and 
information that might contribute to the development of a final rule 
for the royal snail and Anthony's riversnail. Appropriate Federal and 
State agencies, and interested parties were contacted by letters dated 
August 16, 1993. Legal notices were published in the Chattanooga Times 
and Chattanooga News-Free Press on August 19, 1993, and in the Decatur 
Daily on August 23, 1993.
    One written comment was received on the proposed rule to list the 
royal snail an Anthony's riversnail. The U.S. Soil Conservation Service 
responded by stating they had no additional information on either of 
the species.

Summary of Factors Affecting the Species

    After a thorough review and consideration of all information 
available, the Service has determined that the royal snail and 
Anthony's riversnail should be classified as endangered species. 
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act and regulations (50 CFR part 424) 
promulgated to implement the listing provisions of the Act were 
followed. A species may be determined to be an endangered or threatened 
species due to one or more of the five factors described in section 
4(a)(1). These factors and their application to the royal snail 
(Pyrgulopsis (=Marstonia) ogmorhaphe) and Anthony's riversnail 
(Athearnia anthonyi) are as follows:

A. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment 
of Its Habitat or Range

    The royal snail is known from only two spring runs in the 
Sequatchie River system in Marion County, Tennessee, and has never been 
found outside these areas. This extremely limited distribution, the 
limited amount of occupied habitat, the ease of accessibility, and the 
species' annual life cycle make the royal snail extremely vulnerable to 
extinction. Threats to the species include siltation; road 
construction; logging; agricultural, municipal, industrial, and mining 
runoff (both direct and from sub surface flows); cattle grazing; 
vandalism; and pollution from trash thrown in the springs. Further, 
timber harvesting for wood chip mills proposed for southeastern 
Tennessee and northeastern Alabama could impact this species.
    Anthony's riversnail was once rather widespread in the Tennessee 
River system. (See ``Background'' section for a discussion of the 
species' historic range.) Presently, only two small populations are 
known to survive--one in the Sequatchie River, Marion County, Tennessee 
(Gordon and Ahlstedt, personal Communications, 1991), and one in 
Limestone Creek, Limestone County, Alabama (Thompson, personal 
Communication, 1991; Garner 1992).
    Anthony's riversnail is primarily a big-river species that was 
historically associated with shoal areas in the main stem of the 
Tennessee River and the lower reaches of some of its tributaries. When 
the Tennessee River impoundments were constructed, most of the 
Tennessee River's riverine habitat was lost, and the lower reaches of 
its tributaries were also inundated. Populations that were able to 
survive in the remaining limited unimpounded habitat were apparently 
lost due to the general deterioration of water quality that has 
resulted from siltation and other pollutants contributed by coal 
mining, poor land use practices, and waste discharges. These factors 
continue to impact the Sequatchie River and Limestone Creek 
populations. Additionally, timber harvesting for wood chip mills 
proposed for southeastern Tennessee and northeastern Alabama could 
impact the species.

B. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or 
Educational Purposes

    There is no indication that over-utilization has been a problem for 
the royal snail or Anthony's riversnail. The specific areas inhabited 
by these species are presently not known by the general public; until 
the proposed rule was published, they were likely unaware of the 
presence of these rare snails. If the specific areas inhabited by these 
two species were revealed, it would be extremely easy for vandals to 
seriously impact them. Therefore, the present range of these species 
has been described only in general terms.

C. Disease or Predation

    Although the royal snail and Anthony's riversnail are consumed by 
predatory animals, there is no evidence that predation or disease are 
serious threats to the species.

D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms

    The State of Tennessee prohibits taking fish and wildlife, 
including freshwater snails, for scientific purposes without a State 
collecting permit. However, the royal snail and Anthony's riversnail 
are generally not protected from other threats. Federal listing will 
provide additional protection for these species from collectors by 
requiring Federal endangered species permits to take these species and 
by requiring Federal agencies to consult with the Service when projects 
they fund, authorize, or carry out may affect the species.

E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting its Continued Existence

    Because the royal snail is presently restricted to two small spring 
runs, it is very vulnerable to extinction from accidental toxic 
chemical spills; and because the populations are physically isolated 
from each other, recolonization of an extirpated population would not 
be possible without human intervention. Additionally, because natural 
gene flow among populations is not possible, the long-term genetic 
viability of these remaining isolated populations is questionable.
    Both existing Anthony's riversnail populations inhabit short river 
reaches; thus, they are vulnerable to extirpation from accidental toxic 
chemical spills. As the Sequatchie River and Limestone Creek are 
isolated by impoundments from other Tennessee River tributaries, 
recolonization of any extirpated populations would be unlikely without 
human intervention. Additionally, because these populations are 
isolated, their long-term genetic viability is questionable.
    The Service has carefully assessed the best scientific and 
commercial information available regarding the past, present, and 
future threats faced by these species in determining to make this rule 
final. Based on this evaluation, the preferred action is to list the 
royal snail and Anthony's riversnail as endangered. The royal snail is 
known from only two populations in spring runs in Marion County, 
Tennessee. Anthony's riversnail is currently known from two small 
populations--one in the Sequatchie River, Marion County, Tennessee, and 
one in Limestone Creek, Limestone County, Alabama. These snails and 
their habitats have been and continue to be threatened, and Anthony's 
riversnail has undergone a significant range reduction. Their limited 
distribution also makes them vulnerable to toxic chemical spills. 
Because of their restricted distributions and both snails' 
vulnerability to extinction, endangered status appear to be the most 
appropriate classification for these species. (See ``Critical Habitat'' 
for a discussion of why critical habitat is not being designated for 
these snails.)

Critical Habitat

    Section 4(a)(3) of the Act, as amended, requires that, to the 
maximum extent prudent and determinable, the Secretary designate 
critical habitat at the time the species is determined to be endangered 
or threatened. The Service's regulations (50 CFR 424.12(a)(l)) state 
that designation of critical habitat is not prudent when one or both of 
the following situations exist:
    (1) The species is threatened by taking or other activity and the 
identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the 
degree of threat to the species or
    (2) The designation of critical habitat would not be beneficial to 
the species. The Service finds that designation of critical habitat is 
not presently prudent for these species. Such a determination would 
result in no known benefit to these species, and designation of 
critical habitat could further threaten both species.
    Section 7(a)(2) and regulations codified at 50 CFR part 402 require 
Federal agencies to ensure, in consultation with and with the 
assistance of the Service, that activities they authorize, fund, or 
carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of 
listed species or destroy or adversely modify its critical habitat, if 
designated. Section 7(a)(4) requires Federal agencies to confer 
informally with the Service on any action that is likely to jeopardize 
the continued existence of a proposed species or result in the 
destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat. (See 
``Available Conservation Measures'' section for a further discussion of 
section 7.) As part of the development of the proposed rules, Federal 
and State agencies were notified of the snail's general distribution, 
and they were requested to provide data on proposed Federal actions 
that might adversely affect the two species. No specific projects were 
identified. Should any future projects be proposed in areas inhabited 
by these snails, the involved Federal agency will already have the 
general distributional data needed to determine if the species may be 
impacted by their action; if needed, more specific distributional 
information would be provided.
    Each of these snails occupies very restricted stream reaches. Thus, 
as any significant adverse modification or destruction of these 
species' habitat would likely jeopardize their continued existence, no 
additional protection for the species would accrue from critical 
habitat designation that would not also accrue from listing the 
species. Therefore, habitat protection for these species will be 
accomplished through the section 7 jeopardy standard and section 9 
prohibitions against take.
    In addition, because these species are very rare, with populations 
restricted to extremely short stream reaches, unregulated taking for 
any purpose could threaten their continued existence. The publication 
of critical habitat maps in the Federal Register and local newspapers 
and any other publicity accompanying critical habitat designation could 
increase the collection threat and increase the potential for 
vandalism, especially during the often controversial critical habitat 
designation process. (See ``Summary of Factors Affecting the Species'' 
section for a further discussion of threats to these species from 
vandals.) The locations of populations of these species have 
consequently been described only in general terms in this final rule. 
Precise locality data is available to appropriate Federal, State, and 
local government agencies and individuals from the service office 
described in the Addresses section and from the Service's Cookeville 
Field Office, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501.

Available Conservation Measures

    Conservation measures provided to species listed as endangered or 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act include recognition, 
recovery actions, requirements for Federal protection, and prohibitions 
against certain practices. Recognition through listing encourages and 
results in conservation actions by Federal, State, local, and private 
agencies, groups, and individuals. The Act provides for possible land 
acquisition and cooperation with the States and requires that recovery 
actions be carried out for all listed species. The protection required 
of Federal agencies and the prohibitions against taking and harm are 
discussed, in part, below.
    Section 7(a) of the Act, as amended, requires Federal agencies to 
evaluate their actions with respect to any species that is proposed or 
listed as endangered or threatened and with respect to its critical 
habitat, if any is being designated. Regulations implementing this 
interagency cooperation provision of the Act are codified at 50 CFR 
part 402. Section 7(a)(2) requires Federal agencies to ensure that 
activities they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or to destroy or 
adversely modify its critical habitat. If a Federal action may affect a 
listed species or its critical habitat, the responsible Federal agency 
must enter into formal consultation with the Service.
    The Service notified Federal agencies that could have programs 
affecting these species. No specific proposed Federal actions were 
identified that would likely affect the species. Federal activities 
that could occur and impact the species include, but are not limited 
to, the carrying out or the issuance of permits for reservoir 
construction, stream alterations, wastewater facility development, 
pesticide registration, and road and bridge construction. It has been 
the experience of the Service, however, that nearly all Section 7 
consultations can be resolved so that the species is protected and the 
project objectives are met.
    The Act and implementing regulations found at 50 CFR 17.21 set 
forth a series of general prohibitions and exceptions that apply to all 
endangered wildlife. These prohibitions, in part, make it illegal for 
any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to take 
(include harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, or 
collect; or to attempt any of these), import or export, ship in 
interstate commerce in the course of commercial activity, or sell or 
offer for sale in interstate or foreign commerce any listed species. It 
also is illegal to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship 
any such wildlife that has been taken illegally. Certain exceptions 
apply to agents of the Service and State conservation agencies.
    Permits may be issued to carry out otherwise prohibited activities 
involving endangered wildlife species under certain circumstances. 
Regulations governing permits are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.23. Such 
permits are available for scientific purposes, to enhance the 
propagation or survival of the species, and/or for incidental take in 
connection with otherwise lawful activities. In some instances, permits 
may be issued for a specified time to relieve undue economic hardship 
that would be suffered if such relief were not available. These species 
are not in trade, and such permit requests are not expected.

National Environmental Policy Act

    The Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that an Environmental 
Assessment, as defined under the authority of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, need not be prepared in connection 
with regulations adopted pursuant to section 4(a) of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended. A notice outlining the Service's 
reasons for this determination was published in the Federal Register on 
October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).

References Cited

Bogan, A. E., and P. W. Parmalee. 1983. Tennessee's rare wildlife, 
Volume II: the mollusks. 123 pp.
Garner, J. T. 1992. A survey for Anthony's river snail, Athearnia 
anthonyi (``Budd,'' in Redfield 1854), in tributaries of the middle 
reaches of the Tennessee River. Unpublished report prepared for the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 25 pp.
Gordon, M. E. 1991. Species accounts for Anthony's riversnail 
(Athearnia anthonyi). Unpublished report to The Nature Conservancy. 
4 pp.
Hershler, Robert, and Fred G. Thompson. 1987. North American 
Hydrobiidae (Gastropoda: Rissoacea): Redescription and Systematic 
Relationships of Tryonia Stimpson, 1865, and Pyrgulopsis Call and 
Pilsbry, 1886. The Nautilus 101(1):25-32.
Refield, J. H. 1854. Descriptions of new species of shells. Ann. 
Lyc. Nat. Hist. New York 6:130-132.
Thompson, Fred G. 1977. The Hydrobiid snail genus Marstonia. Bull. 
Florida State. Mus., Biol. Sci., Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 113-158.

Author

    The primary authors of this final rule are Mr. J. Allen Ratzlaff 
and Mr. Richard G. Biggins (see Addresses section) (704/665-1195, 
Ext. 229 and 228, respectively).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.

Regulation Promulgation

    Accordingly, part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations, is amended as set forth below:

PART 17--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C. 
4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500; unless otherwise noted.

    2. Amend Sec. 17.11(h) by adding the following, in alphabetical 
order, under snails, to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, 
to read as follows:


Sec. 17.11  Endangered and threatened wildlife.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *

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                      Species                                                    Vertebrate population                                                  
----------------------------------------------------      Historic range          where endangered or      Status    When listed    Critical    Special 
       Common name              Scientific name                                       threatened                                    habitat      rules  
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          Snails                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                      * * * * * * *                                                                     
Snail, royal.............  Pyrgulopsis (=Marstonia)  U.S.A. (TN).............  NA......................  E                   438           NA         NA
                            oqmorhaphe.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                      * * * * * * *                                                                     
Riversnail, Anthony's....  Athearnia anthonyi......  U.S.A. (AL, GA, TN).....  NA......................  E                   438           NA         NA
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                      * * * * * * *                                                                     
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    Dated: April 1, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-9070 Filed 4-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M