[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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