[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 178 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 48159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23334]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for Anthony's 
Riversnail for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a technical/agency draft recovery 
plan for Anthony's riversnail (Athearnia anthonyi). This rare 
freshwater snail currently has a very fragmented, relict distribution 
but historically was once fairly widespread in the Tennessee River 
system, where it was associated with shoal areas in the main stem of 
the Tennessee River and lower reaches of some of its tributaries in 
eastern Tennessee, northern Alabama, and northwestern Georgia. Many of 
the historic occurrences of the species have been lost as a result of 
impoundments and the general deterioration of water quality from 
siltation and other pollutants contributed by past mining activities, 
poor land-use practices, and waste discharges. Only two populations of 
Anthony's riversnail are known to survive--one in the Tennessee River 
in Jackson County, Alabama, and Marion County, Tennessee, extending 
into the lower Sequatchie River, Marion County, Tennessee; and one that 
is restricted to the lower reaches of Limestone Creek, Limestone 
County, Alabama. The potential for degradation of the water and 
substratum quality in the two areas where Anthony's riversnail exists 
is the most significant threat to the species' continued survival. 
Unless new populations are found or reestablished and existing 
populations are maintained, this species will remain in jeopardy of 
extinction for the foreseeable future. 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 November 12, 1996 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the technical/agency draft 
recovery plan may obtain a copy by contacting the Asheville Field 
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, 
North Carolina 28801 (Telephone 704/258-3939). Written comments and 
materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the Field 
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:
Mr. John Fridell, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the address and 
telephone number shown in the Addresses section (Ext. 225).

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 Service's 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 recognizing the 
recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and estimate time 
and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.) (Act), 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 a 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 primary species considered in this draft recovery plan is 
Anthony's riversnail (Athearnia anthonyi). The area of emphasis for 
recovery actions is the Tennessee River system in eastern Tennessee, 
northern Alabama, and northwestern Georgia. Habitat protection, 
reintroduction, and preservation of genetic material are the major 
objectives of this recovery plan.

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 final plan.

    Authority: The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the 
Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

    Dated: September 6, 1996.
Brian P. Cole,
State Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-23334 Filed 9-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M