[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19436]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 10, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Notice of Availability of the Draft San Marcos and Comal Springs 
and Associated Aquatic Ecosystems (Revised) Recovery Plan for Public 
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 the Draft San Marcos and Comal 
Springs and Associated Aquatic Ecosystems (Revised) Recovery Plan 
(Draft Plan). This Draft Plan addresses four endangered species: the 
San Marcos gambusia (Gambusia georgei), the fountain darter (Etheostoma 
fonticola), Texas wild-rice (Zizania texana), and the Texas blind 
salamander (Typhlomolge rathbuni); and one threatened species, the San 
Marcos salamander (Eurycea nana). These species have a limited 
distribution within the Comal ecosystem in Comal County, the San Marcos 
ecosystem in Hays and part of Caldwell Counties and/or the Edwards 
Aquifer. All five aquatic species depend on water from the underlying 
Edwards Aquifer. The Service solicits review and comment from the 
public on this Draft Plan.

DATES: Comments on the Draft Plan must be received on or before October 
31, 1994, to assure consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Plan may obtain a copy 
by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Supervisor, 
Ecological Services Field Office, 611 E. Sixth Street, Room 407, 
Austin, Texas 78701; (512) 482-5436.
    Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be 
addressed to the Supervisor at the above address. Comments and 
materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alisa Shull, Listing and Recovery Coordinator, telephone (512) 482-5436 
(see ADDRESSES above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals or 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 listed species 
native to the Unites States. Recovery plans describe actions considered 
necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria for 
recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, 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 development. The Service will 
consider all information presented during the 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.
    This recovery plan addresses recovery needs of five species which 
share a common habitat area by using an ecosystem approach that 
addresses conservation of basic habitat features the organisms share. 
The Draft Plan also addresses more localized or species specific 
problems and needs.
    The fountain darter was listed as endangered on October 13, 1970 
(35 FR 16047) and critical habitat was designated on July 14, 1980 (45 
FR 47355). The fountain darter is a small fish that inhabits both the 
Comal and San Marcos ecosystems and was described by early collectors 
to be abundant in both ecosystems. Fountain darters prefer constant 
temperature and undisturbed stream floor habitats that have a mixture 
of submergent plants and mats of filamentous algae.
    The San Marcos gambusia was listed as endangered with critical 
habitat on July 14, 1980 (45 FR 47355). This fish has only been known 
to occur in a small segment of the San Marcos River and apparently 
prefers relatively shallow, quiet, shaded, and thermally constant 
waters over a muddy substrate. The San Marcos gambusia has not been 
relocated since 1982, although several surveys have been made in its 
historical habitat.
    The San Marcos salamander was listed as threatened with critical 
habitat on July 14, 1980 (45 FR 47355). It is a small salamander that 
remains aquatic throughout its life cycle. The San Marcos salamander 
occurs in rocky or sand and gravel areas with thermally constant, 
flowing water near spring openings. Habitat for this salamander usually 
includes aquatic mosses or filimentous algae that provide cover and 
food. San Marcos salamanders have been found near all major spring 
openings scattered throughout Spring Lake at headwaters of the San 
Marcos River system, and extending into rocky habitat below Spring Lake 
Dam.
    Texas wild-rice is an aquatic plant that was listed as endangered 
on April 26, 1978, (43 FR 17910) and critical habitat designated on 
July 14, 1980 (45 FR 47355). This plant is only known from the San 
Marcos River system where it was once abundant in Spring Lake and the 
river. By 1967, the species had declined significantly in abundance and 
distribution. Plants usually grow underwater except for emergent 
flowering stalks, and are found in constant temperature, flowing water 
of varying depths.
    The Texas blind salamander was listed as endangered on March 11, 
1967 (32 FR 4001). It is a small aquatic, unpigmented salamander with 
reduced eyes that are cave-adapted. The Texas blind salamander's 
habitat is in water-filled cavernous areas in the San Marcos portion of 
the Edward's Aquifer. The species has been collected and studied 
through collections and observations made from caves with pools that 
access the underground water table, and from well samples.
    The most imminent threat facing the five listed aquatic species is 
loss of stream flows and/or water levels in the Edward's Aquifer 
necessary to sustain the Edward's Aquifer and associated stream 
ecosystems. The species are also threatened by pollution from runoff or 
discharges associated with urbanization of surrounding areas. 
Additional threats include impacts from recreational activities, 
predation, and habitat destruction or modification caused by human 
activities.
    The objective of the Draft Plan is to secure the survival of these 
endangered or threatened species in their native ecosystems. 
Downlisting criteria are given in the plan for two of the five species. 
The Draft Plan addresses broad regional threats to ecosystem integrity 
as well as local threats to each species.
    Regional recovery efforts outlined in the Draft Plan include 
protection of the Edward's Aquifer, the San Marcos springs and river 
ecosystem, and the Comal springs and river ecosystem. The Draft Plan 
addresses need for a mechanism to manage groundwater withdrawals in 
order to assure continued springflows, and identification and 
management of existing or potential impacts to water quality in the 
Edwards Aquifer and the Comal and San Marcos River ecosystems.
    To address more local threats, the Draft Plan recommends 
development of local spring and river management plans, control of non-
native species, and cooperative work with local landowners and water 
users to alleviate threats to the affected species and their habitat. 
Other recovery efforts outlined include developing propagation 
techniques and maintaining a broodstock that represents genetics of 
existing wild populations. The Draft Plan includes tasks to continue 
monitoring the status of all five species and their habitats, research 
to determine the biological and ecological requirements of each 
species, studies to evaluate threats and develop management techniques 
of each species, and inform the public of significance of these 
ecosystems to maintaining the Region's economy and quality of life for 
all.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the draft recovery plan 
described. All comments received by the date specified above will be 
considered prior to approval of the plan.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Kathryn Kennedy, Botanist, 
telephone (512) 482-5436 (see ADDRESSES above).

Authority

    The authority for this action is Section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

    Dated: August 2, 1994.
Lynn B. Starnes,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-19436 Filed 8-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M