[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 2, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 34441-34442] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-16806] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Kootenai River Population of White Sturgeon in Idaho and Montana for Review and Comment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the Kootenai River population of white sturgeon. The Kootenai River white sturgeon represents a land-locked population found in the Kootenai River from Kootenai Falls, Montana, downstream through Kootenay Lake to Corra Linn Dam on the lower West Arm of Kootenay Lake, British Columbia. 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 September 30, 1996, to receive consideration by the Service. ADDRESSES: The draft recovery plan is available for public inspection by appointment during normal business hours at either the Service's Upper Columbia River Basin Office, 11103 East Montgomery Drive, Suite #2, Spokane, Washington, 99206 or the Snake River Basin Office, 4696 Overland Road, Room 576, Boise, Idaho, 83705. Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain a copy by contacting the Supervisor, Snake River Basin Office, at the above address or by calling (208) 334- 1931. Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be sent to the Service's, Snake River Basin Office, attention Recovery Team Leader, at the above Boise address. Comments and materials received are available on request for public inspection by appointment at the Snake River Basin Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Ruesink or Steve Duke, at the Service's, Snake River Basin Office, 4696 Overland Road, Room 576, Boise, Idaho 83705. (208) 334-1931. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem is a primary goal of the Service's endangered species program. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria for the recovery levels for downlisting and delisting species, and estimate time and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (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. The Kootenai River white sturgeon became isolated from other white sturgeon in the Columbia River basin during the last glacial age (approximately 10,000 years ago). Since then, the population has adapted to the pre-development habitat conditions in the Kootenai River drainage. Historically, spring runoff peaked during the first half of June in the Kootenai River upstream of the existing Libby Dam in Montana. Runoff from [[Page 34442]] lower elevations between Libby Dam and Bonners Ferry, Idaho, was somewhat earlier, peaking in late May. Combined flows were often in excess of 1700 cubic meters per second (m3/s) [60,000 cubic feet per second (cfs)]. During the remainder of the year, river flows declined to basal conditions of 113 to 226 m3/s (4,000 to 8,000 cfs). Annual flushing events re-sorted river sediments providing a clean cobble substrate conducive to insect production and sturgeon egg incubation. Side channels and low-lying deltaic marsh lands were unimpounded at this time, providing productive, low velocity backwater areas. Nutrient delivery in the system was unimpeded by dams and occurred primarily during spring runoff. Floodplain ecosystems like the Kootenai River are characterized by seasonal floods that promote the exchange of nutrients and organisms among a mosaic of habitats and thus enhance biological productivity. Modification of the Kootenai River white sturgeon's habitat by human activities has changed the natural hydrograph of the Kootenai River, altering white sturgeon spawning, egg incubation, nursery, and rearing habitats, and reducing overall biological productivity. These factors have contributed to a general lack of recruitment in the white sturgeon population over the past 22 years. Recovery of the Kootenai River white sturgeon is contingent upon re-establishing natural recruitment, minimizing additional loss of genetic variability to the population, and successfully mitigating biological and physical habitat changes caused by the construction and operation of Libby Dam. This draft recovery plan proposes conservation actions to benefit white sturgeon within the entire Kootenai River watershed in Canada and the United States. However, recovery tasks proposed for the Canadian portion of the white sturgeon's range are only recommendations since the Act does not impose any restrictions or commitments on Canada. The draft recovery plan also proposes a strategy for improving coordination and cooperation between the United States and Canada on the operation of Libby Dam with the operation of other hydroelectric facilities within the Kootenai River basin and elsewhere in Canada. The draft plan was developed by a recovery team composed of representatives of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and the Service. Short-term recovery objectives proposed are: a) prevent extinction and b) begin to re-establish successful natural recruitment to the Kootenai River population of white sturgeon. Proposed recovery actions include providing additional Kootenai River flows necessary for natural recruitment and using aquaculture, i.e. hatchery propagation, to prevent extinction. The long-term objectives are to provide suitable habitat conditions to ensure a self-sustaining Kootenai River population of white sturgeon. Specific delisting criteria are not determinable or proposed at this time. Public Comments Solicited The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan described. 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: June 25, 1996. Thomas Dwyer, Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, OR. [FR Doc. 96-16806 Filed 7-1-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P