[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