[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]
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