[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28238]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 16, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Public Hearings 
and Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the 
Cumberland Elktoe, Oyster Mussel, Cumberlandian Combshell, Purple Bean, 
and Rough Rabbitsfoot

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearings and reopening of 
comment period.

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

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that 
two public hearings will be held on the proposed determination of 
endangered status for five freshwater mussels (Cumberland elktoe 
(Alasmidonta atropurpurea), oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), 
Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), purple bean (Villosa 
perpurpurea), and rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata)) 
and that the comment period on the proposal is being reopened. These 
mussels are found at various locations in the Cumberland and Tennessee 
River basins in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

DATES: Public hearings on the proposal will be held on December 13, 
1994, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. central standard time in Jamestown, 
Tennessee, and on December 15, 1994, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. central 
standard time in Lewisburg, Tennessee. The comment period is reopened 
on the proposal from November 23, 1994, through December 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The December 13, 1994, public hearing will be held in the 
Auditorium at the York Institute, Route 127 North, Jamestown, 
Tennessee. The December 15, 1994, public hearing will be held in the 
3rd floor Circuit Courtroom, Marshall County Courthouse, Public Square, 
Lewisburg, Tennessee. Comments should be sent to the Field Supervisor, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville Field Office, 330 Ridgefield 
Court, Asheville, North Carolina 28806.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard G. Biggins at the above 
field office address (704/665-1195, Ext. 228).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    All five mussels have undergone significant reductions in range and 
now exist as relatively small, isolated populations. The Cumberland 
elktoe exists in very localized portions of the upper Cumberland River 
system in Kentucky and Tennessee. The oyster mussel and Cumberland 
combshell persist at extremely low numbers in portions of the 
Cumberland and Tennessee River basins in Kentucky, Tennessee, and 
Virginia. The purple bean and rough rabbitsfoot currently survive in a 
few river reaches in the Tennessee River system in Tennessee and 
Virginia. These species were historically eliminated from much of their 
range by impoundments. Presently, they and their habitat are impacted 
by water quality and habitat deterioration resulting from siltation 
contributed by poor land use practices and coal mining practices and by 
other water pollutants. The mussels' limited distribution also makes 
them vulnerable to toxic chemical spills.
    On July 14, 1994, the Service published in the Federal Register (59 
FR 35900) a proposal to list these five mussels. Section 4(b)(5)(E) of 
the Act provides for a public hearing on a proposed listing if 
requested within 45 days of the proposal's publication. The Service 
received several public hearing requests during the allotted time 
period from within the following counties: Fentress, Cumberland, and 
Marshall Counties, Tennessee; and McCreary County, Kentucky.
    In response to the public hearing requests, the Service is 
reopening the comment period and has scheduled two public hearings on 
the proposal to list these five mussels as endangered species. The 
comment period on the proposal originally closed on September 12, 1994. 
The comment period is being reopened from November 23, 1994, through 
December 30, 1994, to accommodate the hearings and to allow additional 
time for written comments. Written comments received during this time 
period will become a part of the administrative record and will be 
given the same consideration as oral comments presented at the 
hearings.
    The first public hearing will be held December 13, 1994, in the 
Auditorium at the York Institute, Route 127 North, Jamestown, 
Tennessee, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. central standard time. The second 
hearing will be held December 15, 1994, in the 3rd floor Circuit 
Courtroom, Marshall County Courthouse, Public Square, Lewisburg, 
Tennessee, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. central standard time. Those parties 
wishing to make an oral statement for the record are encouraged to 
provide a copy of their statement to the Service at the start of the 
hearing. In the event there is a large attendance, the time allotted 
for oral statements may have to be limited. However, there is no 
restriction on the length of written statements.
    Written comments mailed to the Service should be submitted to the 
office indicated in the ADDRESSES section. Legal notices announcing the 
dates, time and location of the hearings will be published in 
newspapers at least 15 days prior to the hearings.

    Author: The primary author of this notice is Mr. Richard 
Biggins, Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 330 
Ridgefield Court, Asheville, North Carolina, 28806 (telephone 704/
665-1195, Ext. 228).

    Dated: November 8, 1994.
Jerome M. Butler,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-28238 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M