[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 102 (Friday, May 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12978]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for Blue Shiner 
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 blue 
shiner (Cyprinella caerulea). It occurs in the headwater river systems 
of the Coosa River in Georgia and Tennessee, and in smaller tributaries 
of the Coosa River in Alabama. Populations are fragmented and isolated 
by impoundments and by distance. The species has been extirpated from 
the Cahaba River system, and Big Wills Creek, Alabama. 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 July 29, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the Jackson Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, suite A, Jackson, Mississippi 
39213. 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:
Robert Bowker at the above address (601/965-4900).

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 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 or delisting them, 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 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 species considered in this draft recovery plan is the blue 
shiner (Cyprinella caerulea). This medium-sized minnow is currently 
known from only the Coosa River system. The blue shiner occurs over a 
sand and gravel substrate among cobble in cool, clear water. The blue 
shiner was listed as threatened on April 22, 1992. The major threat is 
water quality degradation, the likely cause of extirpation from the 
Cahaba River system.
    The objective of this proposed plan is to delist the blue shiner. 
The species may be considered recovered when populations in the 
stretches of the Coosa River system identified in the recovery plan are 
documented to be viable and are fully protected. Actions needed to 
reach this goal include: (1) Determining its optimum habitat, (2) 
determining its life history, (3) developing and implementing a plan to 
restore and protect its essential habitat, and (4) monitoring its 
populations.
    This Plan is being submitted for agency review. After consideration 
of comments received during the review period, it will be submitted for 
final approval.

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: May 18, 1994.
Robert Bowker,
Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-12978 Filed 5-26-94; 8:45 am]
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