[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 179 (Friday, September 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48500-48501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23476]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Draft Conservation Agreements for the 
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout and the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout for 
Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of two Draft Conservation Agreements, 
one for the Bonneville cutthroat trout (Onchornychus clarki utah) in 
the State of Utah and one for the Colorado River cutthroat trout 
(Onchornychus clarki pleuriticus) in the State of Utah. Both of these 
species are designated species of special concern by the Service and 
within the State of Utah. The Conservation Agreements were developed by 
the Utah Department of Natural Resources, as a collaborative and 
cooperative effort among resource agencies. Both agreements focus on 
reducing and eliminating significant threats to the species that 
warrant their special status, and on restoring and maintaining 
populations of each species to ensure their longterm conservation 
within their respective historical ranges. The Service solicits review 
and comment from the public on these draft agreements.

DATES: Comments on the Draft Conservation Agreements must be received 
on or before October 15, 1996 to be considered by the Service during 
preparation of the final Conservation Agreements and prior to the 
Service's determination whether it will be a signatory party to the 
agreements.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Conservation Agreements 
may obtain a copy by contacting the Assistant Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 145 East 1300 South, Suite 404, Salt Lake 
City, Utah 84115. Written comments and materials regarding the Draft 
Conservation Agreements also should be directed to the same address. 
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 801/524-5001).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Bonneville cutthroat trout is a subspecies of cutthroat trout 
native to the Bonneville Basin of Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming. The 
desiccation of ancient Lake Bonneville restricted Bonneville cutthroat 
trout to headwater streams and lakes within the Basin. Human activities 
such as water development, agricultural development, energy 
development, mining, timber harvesting, grazing, overfishing, and the 
introduction of nonnative species have impacted Bonneville cutthroat 
trout populations. The tenuous status of the remaining populations and 
the habitat has led to conservation efforts at the Federal, State, and 
local level. The Utah Department of Natural Resources initiated 
development of a Conservation Agreement for the Bonneville cutthroat 
trout in 1995, working cooperatively with other agencies, in an effort 
to ensure the longterm conservation of Bonneville cutthroat trout 
within its historical range in Utah.
    The Colorado River cutthroat trout is a subspecies of cutthroat 
trout native to the upper Colorado River drainage in Utah, Colorado, 
Wyoming, and Arizona. Current distribution of the subspecies is 
restricted to headwater drainages of the Colorado River above the Grand 
Canyon. Human activities such as water development, agricultural 
activities, energy development, mining, overfishing, and the 
introduction of nonnative species have impacted Colorado River 
cutthroat trout populations. The tenuous status of the remaining 
populations and the habitat has led to conservation efforts at the 
Federal, State, and local level. The Utah Department of Natural 
Resources initiated development of a Conservation Agreement for the 
Colorado River cutthroat trout in 1995, working cooperatively with 
other agencies, in an effort to ensure the longterm conservation of 
Colorado River cutthroat trout within its historical range in Utah.
    The Conservation Agreements for both subspecies of cutthroat trout

[[Page 48501]]

outline seven general management actions and four general 
administrative actions required to meet the objectives of the 
agreements. These actions include--determining baseline Bonneville and 
Colorado River cutthroat population, life history, and habitat data; 
determining and maintaining genetic integrity; enhancing and 
maintaining habitat; selectively controlling nonnative species; 
expanding populations and range through introductions or 
reintroductions; monitoring populations and habitat; and developing a 
mitigation protocol for proposed water development and future habitat 
alteration, where needed; coordinating conservation activities, 
implementing the conservation schedule; funding conservation actions; 
and assessing conservation progress.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service will use information received in its determination as 
to whether it should be a signatory party to the agreements. Comments 
or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, 
the scientific community, industry, or any other interested party 
concerning the draft documents are hereby solicited. All comments and 
materials received will be considered prior to the approval of any 
final document.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Janet Mizzi (see ADDRESSES 
section) (telephone 801/524-5001).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 
1956, the Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination Act of 1964, and the 
National Memorandum of Understanding (94 (SMU-058)).

    Dated: September 6, 1996.
Ralph O. Morgenweck,
Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 96-23476 Filed 9-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M