[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 48 (Monday, March 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13397-13398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6143]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding and 
Initiation of Status Review for a Petition To List the Southern 
Population of the Walleye as Endangered

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition finding and initiation of status 
review.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 90-
day finding for a petition to list the southern population of walleye 
(Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended. The Service finds that the petition presents 
substantial information indicating that listing this species may be 
warranted. A status review is initiated.

DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on January 26, 
1995. Comments and materials should be submitted to the Service by May 
12, 1995, to be considered in the 12-month finding.

ADDRESSES: Data, information, comments, or questions concerning this 
petition should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Jackson Field Office, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, 
Suite A, Jackson, Mississippi 39213. The petition finding, supporting 
data, and comments are available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Hartfield, Biologist, at above 
address (601-695-4900, ext. 25). [[Page 13398]] 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the Service make a 
finding on whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species 
presents substantial scientific or commercial information to 
demonstrate that the petitioned action may be warranted. This finding 
is to be based on all information available to the Service at the time 
the finding is made. To the maximum extent practicable, this finding is 
to be made within 90 days of the date the petition was received, and 
the finding is to be published promptly in the Federal Register. If the 
finding is that substantial information was presented, the Service also 
is required to promptly commence a review of the status of the species 
involved if one has not already been initiated under the Service's 
internal candidate assessment process.
    The Service announces a 90-day finding on a petition requesting the 
Service to list as endangered the southern population of the walleye 
(Stizostedion vitreum vitreum). The petition, dated August 20, 1994, 
was submitted by Robert R. Reid, Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama, and was 
received by the Service on August 22, 1994. The petition requested that 
the southern population of the walleye be emergency listed as 
endangered. The petitioner stated that the southern population of the 
walleye is a genetically distinct population, deserving of specific or 
subspecific rank, which merits listing because: (1) It has declined in 
the Tombigbee River drainage, (2) remaining populations in the 
Tombigbee River drainage are threatened by existing and proposed water 
projects, and (3) it is rare in other Mobile River Basin drainages in 
Alabama.
    The Service has reviewed the petition, the literature cited in the 
petition, other literature, information available in the Service's 
files, and has consulted with knowledgeable fisheries biologists. On 
the basis of the best scientific and commercial information available, 
the Service finds the petition presents substantial information that 
listing this species may be warranted. Emergency listing is allowed 
under the Act whenever immediate protection is needed to prevent 
extirpation of a species. Based on currently available information, 
emergency listing is not needed for the southern population of walleye.
    Electrophoretic analyses (Murphy 1990) and mitochondrial DNA 
comparisons (Billington et al. 1992) have confirmed the genetic 
uniqueness of the upper Tombigbee River population of walleye. Ongoing 
studies of walleye populations in the Mobile River basin drainages of 
Alabama have indicated that this distinct Gulf Coast strain of walleye 
extends into that State (Mike Mecina, University of Auburn, Alabama, 
pers. comm. 1994). The relationship of other Gulf Coast drainage 
populations of walleye (e.g., Apalachicola River, Florida, Georgia; 
Pearl River, Mississippi) to the Mobile River Basin population is 
unknown and needs further investigation.
    Populations of walleye appear to be low in the Tombigbee River 
drainage of Mississippi. Recent reports of walleye are documented in 
several Tombigbee River tributaries in Mississippi, including the 
Buttahatchee River, Sipsey, Bull Mountain, Yellow, Luxapalila, 
Sucarnoochee, and Hashuqua Creeks (Dennis Riecke, Mississippi 
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, pers. comm. 1994). 
Current information on the distribution of walleye in the Mobile Basin 
drainages of Alabama is limited. Walleye collection localities within 
the past 10 years in Alabama include the Black Warrior, Alabama, Little 
Cahaba, Locust Fork, and lower Tallapoosa Rivers, and Euphappee, 
Oakmulgee, and Hatchet Creeks (Fred Harders, Alabama Department of 
Conservation, pers. comm. 1994; Malcolm Pierson, Alabama Power Company, 
pers. comm. 1994).
    Service records indicate that potential walleye habitat throughout 
the Mobile River Basin may have been affected or eliminated due to 
impoundment of approximately 1,000 miles of river habitat, and/or by 
extensive stream channelization. Erosion due to headcutting, a proposed 
channelization project, and proposed impoundments pose additional 
threats to the population. Walleye appear to require clean, relatively 
swift streams for reproduction (Schultz 1971). Potential threats to 
stream habitat quality in the Mobile River Basin include various point 
source effluents (e.g. coal surface mining and sand/gravel mining), as 
well as sediments, nutrients, and toxicants from non-point runoff.
    The Service solicits further information regarding occurrence and 
distribution of the species, threats to its continued existence, and 
any additional comments and suggestions from the public, other 
concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or 
any other interested parties concerning the status of the southern 
population of the walleye. Of particular interest is information 
regarding:
    (1) Genetic composition of other walleye populations in Gulf Coast 
drainages;
    (2) Additional historic and current population data that may assist 
in determining range and long-term population trends;
    (3) Pertinent information on biology and life history; and,
    (4) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threat (or lack thereof) to populations of the southern walleye.
    After consideration of additional information, submitted during the 
indicated time period (see DATES section), the Service will prepare a 
12-month finding.

References Cited

Billington, N., R.J. Barrette, and P.D.N. Hebert. 1992. Management 
implications of mitochondrial DNA variation in walleye stocks. North 
American Journal of Fisheries Management 12:276-284.
Murphy, B.R. 1990. Evidence for a genetically unique walleye 
population in the upper Tombigee River system of northeastern 
Mississippi. SFC Proceedings (22):14-16.
Schultz, C.A. 1971. Survey of the walleye population and related 
parameters in the Tombigee River system in Mississippi. Mississippi 
Game and Fish Commission Final Report, Project F-23.

    Author: The primary author of this document is Paul Hartfield, 
Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).
    Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered 
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: January 26, 1995.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-6143 Filed 3-10-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M