[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 134 (Thursday, July 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17044]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Ouachita 
Rock-Pocketbook 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 
Ouachita rock-pocketbook (Arkansia wheeleri) which the Service listed 
as an endangered species on October 23, 1991 (56 FR 54957). Two extant 
populations are known to exist in the wild. A viable population of some 
1,000 individuals inhabit the Kiamichi River in Oakland and a smaller 
population of some 100 individuals inhabit the lower Little River in 
Arkansas. The Little River population is believed too reduced and 
fragmented to ensure long-term viability. 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 September 12, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.

addresses: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 222 South 
Houston, Suite A, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127. 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: David Martinez, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service Biologist, (918) 581-7458 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 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 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 approved recovery plans.
    The Ouachita rock-pocketbook (Arkansia wheeleri) is a monotypic 
genus now believed restricted to approximately 138 kilometers (85 
miles) of the Red River system in eastern Oklahoma and western 
Arkansas. Stream impoundment, channelization, and water quality 
degradation are major threats to the species' continued survival. 
Impoundments change the physical and chemical characteristics of 
impounded stream reaches, producing conditions unsuitable for mussel 
species such as the Ouachita rock-pocketbook. The quality and 
regulation of releases from impoundments also modify water quality and 
physical characteristics in downstream waters, often for considerable 
distances. Such changes generally are detrimental to the native mussel 
community. Although suitable habitat may continued to exist farther 
downstream or upstream from impoundments, the populations in those 
habitats become isolated from each other as a result of the 
impoundments. Such isolation may prevent exchanges of genetic material 
that may be essential for long-term survival of the populations.
    Channelization removes meanders and normal variations in width and 
depth of stream channels. It also removes riparian vegetation and 
modifies flow and sediment conditions in streams. These effects combine 
to eliminate naturally complex mussel habitats and communities that 
have become established over long periods of time. Degradation of water 
quality, whether from the preceding factors or from various sources, 
also affects mussels by increasing exposure to deleterious constituents 
and/or reducing availability of needed constituents in aquatic 
environments. Finally, freshwater mussels may be affected indirectly by 
any factors affecting particular fish species that the mussels require 
as larval hosts. The recovery plan addresses Ouachita rock-pocketbook 
populations as units believed necessary for survival and recovery of 
the species.
    The Ouachita rock-pocketbook recovery plan has been reviewed by the 
appropriate Service staff in Region 2. 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: June 16, 1994.
John G. Rogers,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-17044 Filed 7-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M