[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50394-50395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25414]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Draft Conservation Agreement for the 
Least Chub (Iotichthys phlegethontis) for Review and Comment

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability for 
public review of a Draft Conservation Agreement for the least chub 
(Iotichthys phlegethontis). This species is proposed for Federal 
listing as endangered with critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The Conservation Agreement was 
developed by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, with 
participation from the following parties--Bureau of Land Management;

[[Page 50395]]

Utah Reclamation, Mitigation and Conservation Commission; Bureau of 
Reclamation; Central Utah Water Conservancy District; Army Corps of 
Engineers; and the Service. The agreement focuses on eliminating or 
minimizing threats to the least chub and its habitat to the greatest 
extent possible and on restoring and maintaining populations of least 
chub throughout its historical range. The Service solicits review and 
comment from the public on the draft agreement.

DATES: Comments on the Draft Conservation Agreement must be received on 
or before October 27, 1997 to be considered by the Service during 
preparation of the final conservation agreement and prior to the 
Service's determination whether it will be a signatory party to the 
agreement.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Conservation Agreement 
may obtain a copy by contacting the 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 
Agreement also should be directed to the same address. Comments and 
written materials will be available upon request for public inspection, 
by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Reed E. Harris, Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 
801/524-5001).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The least chub is a small monotypic minnow endemic to the 
Bonneville Basin in Utah where it was once common and widely 
distributed. The distribution and abundance of least chub populations 
have declined steadily over the past 15-20 years, and at the time it 
was proposed for Federal listing as an endangered species with critical 
habitat, September 29, 1995 (60 FR 50518), was only known to occur 
within the Snake Valley in western Utah. The declines in range and 
abundance of least chub has been attributed to competition and 
predation from nonnative species and habitat loss and degradation. 
Shortly after the species was proposed for Federal listing, the Utah 
Department of Natural Resources initiated development of a Conservation 
Agreement, working cooperatively with other agencies, in an effort to 
reduce the threats affecting the least chub.
    The Draft Conservation Agreement focuses on identifying, reducing 
and eliminating significant threats to the species that warrant its 
listing as an endangered species with critical habitat, and on 
restoring and maintaining least chub populations throughout its 
historical range.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service will use information received in its determination on 
whether it should be a signatory party to the agreement. Comments or 
suggestions from the public, other concerned government agencies, the 
scientific community, industry, or any other interested party 
concerning this draft document 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 18, 1997.

Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 97-25414 Filed 9-24-97; 8:45 am]
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