[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 42051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20568]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for the 
Eradication of the Nonnative Red Shiner in the Virgin River, Utah

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

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability for 
public review of the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Eradication 
of the Nonnative Red Shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) in the Virgin River, 
Utah.

DATES: Comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment must be received 
on or before September 12, 1996 to be considered by the Service during 
preparation of the final environmental assessment.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for copies of the Draft Environmental 
Assessment should be addressed to the Assistant Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 145 East 1300 South, Suite 404, Salt Lake 
City, Utah 84115. 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. Robert D. Williams, Assistant Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES 
section) (telephone 801/524-5002).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) is a small minnow native from 
the North Central United States to northeastern Mexico. It was 
introduced into the lower Colorado River Basin as a bait fish in the 
early 1950's, and since then has invaded most of the Colorado River 
system, including the Virgin River system. Until the 1980's, the red 
shiner was confined to the lower Virgin River system, in Arizona and 
Nevada, below the Virgin River Gorge, which is usually dewatered during 
the dry summer months. In 1984 red shiner were discovered above the 
Gorge, in southwestern Utah, and have since then become the dominant 
fish species in the 33.6 km (21 mi) river reach between the Virgin 
River Gorge and Washington Fields Diversion.
    The red shiner has been implicated in the decline of the endangered 
woundfin (Plagopterus argentissimus) and Virgin River chub (Gila 
seminuda), and in the decline of the Virgin spinedace (Lepidomeda 
mollispinis mollispinis), a species of concern. The Virgin River Fishes 
Recovery Plan and the Virgin Spinedace Conservation Agreement have 
identified the eradication of red shiner in the Virgin River system as 
a recovery and conservation activity necessary to ensure the longterm 
survival of the native fishes of the Virgin River. The Draft 
Environmental Assessment outlines a plan for the eradication of red 
shiner from the Virgin River system, Utah.

Public Comments Solicited

    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 in the 
preparation of the final environmental assessment.

    Author: The primary author of this notice is Janet Mizzi (see 
ADDRESSES section) (telephone 801/524-501).

    Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. et seq.).

    Dated: August 6, 1996.
Terry T. Terrel,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 96-20568 Filed 8-12-96; 8:45 am]
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