[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9195-9196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5348]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Rare Species of 
Soldier Meadows for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the 
threatened desert dace, Eremichthys acros, and the category 1 candidate 
Soldier Meadows cinquefoil, Potentilla basaltica. These species are 
endemic to Soldier Meadows, Humboldt County, Nevada. 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 May 6, 1996, to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the State Supervisor, Nevada State Office, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 4600 Kietzke Lane, Building C-125, Reno, 
Nevada, 89502-5093 (Phone: 702-784-5227). Written comments and 
materials regarding the plan should be sent to Mr. Carlos H. Mendoza, 
State 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:
Ms. Selena Werdon at the above address and telephone number.

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 
(Service) 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 the conservation of the species, 
establish criteria for reclassification or delisting, and estimate time 
and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (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 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.
    Desert dace are endemic to Soldier Meadows, located in western 
Humboldt County, Nevada. The species occupies 10 thermal spring systems 
and approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of spring outflow stream 
habitat. No recent population estimate is available, but the species is 
considered to be relatively abundant in some spring systems. Threats to 
the species when listed included habitat modifications due to 
agricultural diversions, potential geothermal and/or mineral 
development; and introductions of nonnative fishes; and parasites. 
Potential threats include trampling and overgrazing by livestock and 
wild horses and burros, and increasing recreational use of the species' 
habitat. Recovery efforts will focus on restoring historical habitat in 
one spring outflow, monitoring population stability and health, and 
eliminating threats from ongoing habitat modification and sympatric 
nonnative species. Habitat for desert dace is currently public land 
administered by the Bureau of Land Management and private land under a 
conservation easement.
    Soldier Meadows cinquefoil are also endemic to Soldier Meadows, 
although one additional population occurs in Ash Valley, Lassen County, 
California. In Soldier Meadows, the species occupies alkali meadow, 
seep, and marsh habitats bordering thermal springs, outflow streams, 
and depressions. Soldier Meadows contains 10 subpopulations of the 
cinquefoil. An estimated 84,650 individual plants are distributed on 
approximately 28 hectares (69 acres). Threats to the species include 
habitat

[[Page 9196]]

modifications due to agricultural diversions, trampling and overgrazing 
by livestock and wild horses and burros, and recreational use; and 
competing nonnative plants. Conservation efforts will focus on 
eliminating threats from ongoing habitat modification and invading 
nonnative plants, and monitoring population stability and health. 
Habitat for Soldier Meadows cinquefoil in Soldier Meadows is currently 
public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and private 
land under a conservation easement.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the Recovery Plan for the 
Rare Species of Soldier Meadows. 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: February 22, 1996.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 96-5348 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
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