[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 5435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2080]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Draft Conservation Agreement for the 
Virgin Spinedace for Review and Comment

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a Draft Conservation Agreement for 
the Virgin spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis mollispinis). This species 
is proposed for Federal listing as threatened pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The Conservation 
Agreement was developed by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, 
with participation from the following parties--Bureau of Land 
Management, National Park Service, Nevada Department of Conservation 
and Natural Resources, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Washington 
County Water Conservancy District, and the Service. The agreement 
focuses on reducing and eliminating significant threats and enhancing 
and/or stabilizing specific reaches of occupied and unoccupied 
historical habitat of the Virgin spinedace. The Service solicits review 
and comment from the public on this draft agreement.

DATES: Comments on the Draft Conservation Agreement must be received on 
or before March 28, 1995 to be considered by the Service during 
preparation of the final conservation agreement and prior to the 
Service's determination whether it will be a signatory party to the 
agreement.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Conservation Agreement 
may obtain a copy by contacting the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 145 East 1300 South, Suite 404, Salt Lake City, Utah 
84115. Written comments and materials regarding the Draft Conservation 
Agreement should also be directed to the same address. Comments and 
materials received will be available on request for public inspection, 
by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Roberts D. Williams, Assistant Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES 
section) (telephone 801/524-5001).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Virgin spinedace is a small minnow endemic to the Virgin River 
drainage basin in southwestern Utah, northwestern Arizona, and 
southeastern Nevada. Over the last 50 years, the range of the species 
has declined by approximately 37-40 percent due to human impacts such 
as water development projects, agriculture, mining, urbanization, and 
introduction of nonactive fishes. The Virgin spinedace was proposed for 
listing as a threatened species on May 18, 1994 (59 FR 25875). In May 
1994 the Utah Department of Natural Resources initiated development of 
a Conservation Agreement, working cooperatively with other agencies, in 
an effort to reduce the threats affecting the Virgin spinedace.
    The Conservation Agreement outlines five general management actions 
and four general administrative actions required to meet the objectives 
of the agreement. These actions include reestablishing and maintaining 
required flows, enhancing and maintaining habitat, selectively 
controlling nonnative fish, maintaining genetic viability, monitoring 
populations and habitat, coordinating conservation activities, 
implementing the conservation schedule, funding conservation actions, 
and assessing conservation progress.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service will use information received in its determination as 
to whether it should be a signatory party to the agreement. Comments or 
suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the 
scientific community, industry, or any other interested party 
concerning this draft document are hereby solicited. All comments and 
materials received will be considered prior to the approval of any 
final document.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Janet Mizzi (see ADDRESSES 
section) (telephone 801/524-5001).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 
1956, the Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination Act of 1964, and the 
National Memorandum of Understanding (94(SMU-058)).

    Dated: January 23, 1995.
Ralph O. Morgenweck,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-2080 Filed 1-26-95; 8:45 am]
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