[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 111 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 31618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15117]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the 
Okaloosa Darter for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability 
for public review of a draft revised recovery plan for the Okaloosa 
darter. This endangered fish occurs in six stream systems flowing from 
Eglin Air Force Base through or near the cities of Niceville and 
Valparaiso into Boggy and Rocky bayous on Choctawhatchee Bay, in 
Okaloosa and Walton counties, Florida. The Service solicits review and 
comment from the public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft revised recovery plan must be received on 
or before August 11, 1997 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft revised recovery plan 
may examine a copy at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Panama City 
Field Office, 1612 June Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32405, between 
7:30 AM and 4:30 PM Central Time; or may obtain a copy by contacting 
Frank Parauka, Panama City Field Office, 904/769-0552 ext. 237. Written 
comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to Frank 
Parauka at the Panama City Field Office. Comments and materials 
received are available on request for public inspection, by 
appointment, during the previously stated hours at the Panama City 
Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lloyd Stith or Frank Parauka, at the 
Panama City Field Office address given above, at 904/769-0552, ext. 234 
or 237, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point 
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem is 
a primary goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 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 conservation of the species, establish criteria for the 
recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and estimate the 
time and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) 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 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 draft revised recovery plan for the Okaloosa darter updates the 
original 1981 plan. The Service listed this species in 1973 due to its 
extreme limited range, habitat degradation, and apparent competition 
from a possibly introduced related species, the brown darter. Studies 
recommended in the original plan have been completed. Eglin Air Force 
Base is implementing habitat conservation measures, and plans to 
implement others. Okaloosa darter populations have apparently 
stabilized. Downlisting this species from endangered to threatened 
could be considered in 2001 if Okaloosa darter populations in all six 
inhabited stream systems remain stable or increase, and if effective 
interagency agreements are established to protect the quality and 
quantity of water in these streams. Complete delisting may be 
considered when populations in all stream systems remain stable or 
increase for 20 years, and when effective and apparently permanent 
cooperative agreements to protect stream water quantity and quality 
have functioned for several years. Inhabited streams are the main stems 
and tributaries of Toms, Turkey, Mill, Swift, East Turkey, and Rocky 
creeks. The watersheds of these streams, located on Eglin Air Force 
Base and in the cities of Niceville and Valparaiso, are also in the 
planning area. Comments received during the review period will be used 
as appropriate for developing a final revised recovery plan. The Panama 
City Field Office will then forward the final plan to the Service's 
Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia, for approval.

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 plan.

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

    Dated: May 29, 1997.
Gail A. Carmody,
Project Leader.
[FR Doc. 97-15117 Filed 6-9-97; 8:45 am]
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