[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13758]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 7, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the 
Endangered and Threatened Fishes of the Rio Yaqui for Review and 
Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for endangered 
and threatened fishes of the Rio Yaqui. Four species are included in 
the recovery plan: Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei), and beautiful 
shiner (Cyprinella formosa), both listed by the Service as threatened 
species on August 31, 1984 (49 FR 34494); Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea), 
listed by the Service as endangered on August 31, 1984 (49 FR 34494); 
and Yaqui topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonoriensis), listed by 
the Service as endangered on March 11, 1967 (32 FR 4001). Historically, 
the headwaters of the Rio Yaqui that occur in the United States may not 
have provided sufficient habitat for large populations of the Yaqui 
catfish, however the other three species were widely distributed 
throughout the upper reaches of the Rio Yaqui system. Loss of habitat, 
plus competition and predation from nonnative fish threaten the 
continued survival of these fish within the United States. The Service 
solicits review and comments from the public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before August 8, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the Refuge Manager, San Bernardino National 
Wildlife, 1408 10th Street, Douglas, Arizona 85607. Comments and 
materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the Refuge Manager. 
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. Kevin Cobble, Refuge Manager, (602) 364-2104 or at the above 
address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened plant or animal 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 site-specific management 
actions considered necessary for conservation and survival of the 
species, establish objective, measurable criteria for the recovery 
levels for downlisting or delisting species, and estimate time and cost 
for implementing recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) requires development of recovery plans for listed species 
unless such a plan would not promote 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 preparation. The Service considers all 
information during a public comment prior to approval of each new or 
revised recovery plan. The Service and other Federal agencies also take 
these comments into account in the course of implementing approved 
recovery plans.
    Loss of habitat and competition with, and or predations from, 
nonnative fish are threats to the continued survival of the listed fish 
of the Rio Yaqui. In addition, the Yaqui catfish hybridizes with 
channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) thereby encountering an 
additional threat. The recovery plan addresses protection of existing 
populations, restoration of depleted populations, and protection and 
restoration of habitat as elements that must be achieved if the species 
is to survive in the wild. The recovery plan also recognizes the need 
to work with Mexican Government and Mexican biologists to conserve 
habitat and fish populations that occur in Mexico. Expansion of these 
species into historic habitat in Mexico will need to be accomplished 
before delisting of these species can occur.
    The plan will be finalized and approved following incorporation of 
comments and materials received during this comment period.

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 the 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 27, 1994.
John G. Rogers,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-13758 Filed 6-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M