[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 184 (Friday, September 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23550]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 23, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Little 
Colorado Spinedace 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 Little 
Colorado spinedace (Lepidomeda vittata) which the Service listed as a 
threatened species on September 16, 1987 (52 FR 35040). The range of 
this fish is restricted to north-flowing tributaries of the Little 
Colorado River in Apache, Navajo, and Coconino counties in eastern 
Arizona. Collected in 1871-1874 by the Wheeler expedition, this species 
was believed to be abundant throughout the upper Little Colorado River 
and cool water tributaries thereto that rise from the northern slopes 
of the White Mountains and the Mollogon Rim. Since 1960, populations 
throughout the species' known historic range have fluxuated greatly. 
Populations are now known to exist in the upper Little Colorado 
mainstem, East Clear Creek, Chevelon Creek, Nutriosa and Rudd Creek. 
Modifications within the Little Colorado River and tributaries and 
watershed have brought about reduced flows and degraded water quality. 
These factors plus introduction of non-native fish are believed to be 
major threats to the species continued existence in its Creek, native 
habitats. 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 November 22, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the Project Leader, Parker Fisheries Assistance 
Office, 60911 Highway 95, Parker, Arizona 85344. Written comments and 
materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the Project Leader 
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: Charles O. Minckley, U. S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, telephone (602) 3667-4785 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 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 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.
    Goals set forth in the Little Colorado spinedace recovery plan are 
to: identify actions considered necessary to protect existing 
populations, restore depleted and extirpated populations, protect and 
enhance existing habitats and ensure that the species' continued 
existence in the wild is ensured. Once these goals have been achieved, 
the species will be proposed for delisting. Tasks believed necessary to 
achieve these goals are contained in the recovery plan.
    The Little Colorado spinedace 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: September 16, 1994.
Robyn Thorson,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-23550 Filed 9-22-94; 8:45 am]
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