[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 49478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24145]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Bluemask 
(=Jewel) Darter for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service. Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a technical/agency draft recovery 
plan for the bluemask (=jewel) darter. This small darter (2 inches 
long) is endemic to the Caney Fork River system (above Great Falls), 
Cumberland River Basin, in central Tennessee. The species was 
historically known from five rivers and is still known from four of 
these rivers (Cane Creek, Van Buren County; Collins River, Warren and 
Grundy Counties; Rocky River, Van Buren County; and Upper Caney Fork 
River, White County). The Collins River population inhabits about 23 
stream miles. However, the other three populations inhabit less than 
2.8 stream miles each. Populations of this species have been fragmented 
by habitat alteration, water withdrawal, and the general deterioration 
of water quality resulting from siltation and other pollutants 
contributed by coal mining, gravel mining, poor land use practices, and 
waste discharges. These factors continue to impact the species and its 
habitat. The species' present limited distribution also makes it 
vulnerable to extirpation from stochastic events such as chemical 
spills. 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 19, 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. Richard Biggins, Fish and Mollusk 
Recovery Coordinator, at the address and telephone number shown in the 
``Addresses'' section (Ext. 228).

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, 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 the 
bluemask (=jewel) darter (Etheostoma (Doration) sp.). The areas of 
emphasis for recovery actions arte the tributaries of the Caney Fork 
River system (above Great Falls Reservoir). Cumberland River basin, in 
central Tennessee. Habitat protection, population augmentation and 
reintroduction, and the 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 16, 1996.
Brian P. Cole,
State Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-24145 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
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