[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 199 (Monday, October 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25580]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 17, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Availability of Revised Recovery Action Plan for the Recovery 
Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper 
Colorado River Basin

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability of the revised Recovery Implementation Program Recovery 
Action Plan (RIPRAP) dated September 8, 1994. The RIPRAP identifies 
specific actions and timeframes currently believed to be necessary to 
recover the endangered fish in the most expeditious manner possible in 
the Upper Colorado River Basin (Upper Basin). The REPRAP serves as a 
measure of accomplishment so that the Recovery Implementation Program 
for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin (Recovery 
Program) can continue to serve as the reasonable and prudent 
alternative to avoid the likelihood of jeopardy to the continued 
existence of the endangered fish for projects undergoing section 7 
consultations. A final rule designating critical habitat for the 
endangered fish was published on March 24, 1994 (59 FR 13374). The 
Recovery Program also is intended to serve as the reasonable and 
prudent alternative to avoid the likely destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat. Modifications were made to the RIPRAP 
so that the Recovery Program can fulfill that intent. A notice of 
availability of the draft modifications to the RIPRAP was published in 
59 FR 31620, June 20, 1994. Public comment was considered and the 
modifications were finalized by the Service in coordination with the 
Recovery Program's Management and Implementation committees.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to receive a copy of the revised RIPRAP may 
contact the Assistant Regional Director--Ecological Services, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, 
Colorado 80225; FAX 303/236-0027.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. John Hamill (see ADDRESSES above), at telephone 303/236-2985.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Four native fish species that inhabit the Colorado River Basin are 
federally listed as endangered: the Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus 
lucius), humpback chub (Gila cypha), bonytail (Gila elegans), and 
razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus). Each was once abundant in the 
Upper Basin; however, they have declined in numbers and now are 
threatened with extinction from their natural habitat due to direct 
loss of habitat, changes in water flow and temperature regimes, 
blockage of migration routes, and interactions with introduced 
(nonnative) fish species.
    In 1988, the Governors of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, the 
Secretary of the Interior, and the Administrator of the Western Area 
Power Administration entered into a cooperative agreement to implement 
the Recovery Program. The purpose of the Recovery Program is to recover 
the four endangered fish in the Upper Basin while providing for future 
water development to proceed in compliance with the Endangered Species 
Act, Interstate Compacts, and State law. The Upper Basin is defined as 
the Colorado River drainage upstream of Lake Powell, with the exception 
of the San Juan River drainage.
    The Recovery Program includes procedures for section 7 
consultations. In 1992, the Service raised an issue with Recovery 
Program participants as to whether progress toward recovery of the fish 
has been sufficient to allow for continued issuance of favorable 
biological opinions. Discussions among Recovery Program participants 
resulted in an agreement, finalized on October 15, 1993, that clarified 
how section 7 consultations would be conducted in the Upper Basin on 
depletion impacts related to new projects and impacts associated with 
historic projects (existing projects requiring a new Federal action), 
with the exception of the discharge by historic projects of pollutants 
such as trace elements, heavy metals, and pesticides. The RIPRAP was 
developed by Recovery Program participants in support of the section 7 
agreement using the best information available and the recovery goals 
established for the four endangered fish species. It identifies 
specific actions and timeframes currently believed to be required to 
recover the endangered fish in the most expeditious manner possible in 
the Upper Basin. The RIPRAP serves as a measure of accomplishment so 
that the Recovery Program can continue to serve as the reasonable and 
prudent alternative to avoid the likelihood of jeopardy to the 
continued existence of the endangered fish for projects undergoing 
section 7 consultation. The Recovery Program also is intended to serve 
as the reasonable and prudent alternative which avoids the likely 
destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. The 
modifications in the revised RIPRAP are designed to fulfill such 
intent. The modifications were not extensive and are primarily intended 
to provide further definition to actions already identified in the 
RIPRAP and to provide increased certainty that the Recovery Program can 
continue to serve as the reasonable and prudent alternative for 
projects subject to section 7 consultation.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    A programmatic Environmental Assessment was completed on the 
Recovery Program in November 1987. The Environmental Assessment 
provides an analysis and assessment of the impacts to the environment 
from Recovery Program implementation. The October 1993 Agreement and 
RIPRAP, including the modifications, identify in more detail how the 
Recovery Program will be carried out. Appropriate site-specific NEPA 
compliance will be conducted on specific actions identified in the 
RIPRAP.

Author

    This notice was prepared by John Hamill, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: October 6, 1994.
Terry T. Terrell,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-25580 Filed 10-14-94; 8:45 am]
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