[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23902]


[Federal Register: September 28, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Mobile 
River Basin Aquatic Ecosystem for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the Mobile 
River Basin aquatic ecosystem, an area in Alabama with portions 
extending into east Mississippi and northwest Georgia. This plan 
specifically addresses the recovery objectives, criteria, and tasks for 
1 fish (goldline darter, Percina aurolineata), 11 mussels (Alabama 
moccasinshell, Medionidus acuitissiumus; orange-nacre mucket, Lampsilis 
perovalis; fine-line pocketbook, Lampsilis altilis; southern 
acornshell, Epioblasma othcaloogensis; uplan combshell, Epioblasma 
metastriata; Coosa moccasinshell, Medionidus parvulus; ovate clubshell, 
Pleurobema perovatum; southern clubshell, Pleurobema decisum; dark 
pigtoe, Pleurobema furvum; southern pigtoe, Pleurobema georgianum; 
triangular kidneyshell, Ptychobrachus greenii), and 1 aquatic snail 
(Tulotoma magnifica). Additionally, it complements recovery plans 
previously developed for another 17 listed aquatic species within the 
Mobile River Basin. 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 December 1, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the Jackson Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A, Jackson, Mississippi 
39213. 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:
Paul Hartfield at the above address (601/965-4900, ext. 25).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals and 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 of the listed 
species native to the United States. Recovery plans describe actions 
considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish 
criteria for the recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, 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 a 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 species considered in this draft recovery plan are the goldline 
darter (Percina aurolineata), Alabama moccasinshell (Medionidus 
acutissimus), orange-nacre mucket (Lampsilis perovalis), fine-lined 
pocketbook (Lampsilis altilis), southern acornshell (Epioblasma 
othcaloogensis), upland combshell (Epioblasma metastriata), Coosa 
moccasinshell (Medionidus parvulus), ovate clubshell (Pleurobema 
perovatum), southern clubshell (Pleurobema decisum), dark pigtoe 
(Pleurobema furvum), southern pigtoe (Pleurobema georgianum), 
triangular kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus greeni), and the tulotoma snail 
(Tulotoma magnifica). The goldline darter was listed as threatened in 
1992 due to a suspected decline in historic range, population 
fragmentation and isolation, and existing threats to extant populations 
due to water quality degradation. In 1993, eight of the 11 mussels were 
listed as endangered, and three as threatened due to habitat loss and 
fragmentation resulting from impoundment and their vulnerability to 
existing sources of habitat and water quality degradation. The tulotoma 
snail was listed as endangered in 1991 due to the loss of more than 90 
percent of its historic habitat, and the isolation and vulnerability of 
surviving populations.
    The recovery objective of the draft plan is to protect the Basin's 
native aquatic fauna and flora by achieving ecosystem stabilization. 
Specific recovery objectives include reclassification and eventual 
delisting of the tulotoma snail; delisting of the goldline darter; and 
preventing the extinction of the eight endangered mussels and the 
continued decline of the three threatened mussels. Actions needed for 
ecosystem stabilization will require protection of habitat integrity 
and water quality by full and appropriate implementation of Federal and 
State regulatory authorities; development and implementation of Best 
Management Practices and Water Quality Plans for construction, 
agriculture, urban, and suburban activities that affect aquatic 
ecosystems; development and implementation of Drainage Management Plans 
that address problems specific to drainages occupied by listed species; 
development, funding, and implementation of programs that educate and 
directly involve the general public in ecosystem recovery; and basic 
research on life history, ecology, anatomy, taxonomy, contaminant 
sensitivities, and propagation technology of listed and candidate 
species.
    This Plan is being submitted for technical/agency review. After 
consideration of comments received during the review period, it will be 
submitted for final approval.

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 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 21, 1994.
Robert Bowker,
Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-23902 Filed 9-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M