[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 51124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25840]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Endangered Speckled 
Dace of Clover and Independence Valleys (Rhinichthys osculus lethoporus 
and Rhinichthys osculus oligoporus) 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 (Service) announces the 
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the 
endangered speckled dace of Clover and Independence Valleys in Elko 
County, Nevada. This plan undertakes a multispecies approach by 
discussing the recovery needs of two native, endangered fish species.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan received by December 29, 
1997 will be considered by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the State Supervisor, Nevada State Office, Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 4600 Kietzke Lane, Suite 125C, Reno, Nevada 89502 
(telephone: 702/784-5227). Written comments and materials regarding the 
plan should be addressed to the State Supervisor at the above Reno, 
Nevada address. Comments and materials received are available on 
request for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the above Reno, Nevada address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Stephanie Byers at the above Reno, 
Nevada address (telephone: 702/784-5227).

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 the recovery 
levels needed to downlist or delist them, and estimate time and cost 
for implementing the necessary recovery measures.
    The Endangered Species Act, 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 
public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment be 
provided during recovery plan development. The Service will consider 
all information presented during the 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. Individualized 
responses to comments will not be provided.
    Independence Valley speckled dace inhabit the Independence Valley 
Warm Springs system in Elko County, Nevada, and it is the only system 
from which these fish are known. Clover Valley speckled dace reside in 
three spring systems in Clover Valley in Elko County, Nevada. These 
springs are Clover Valley Warm Springs, Bradish Spring, and Wright 
Ranch Spring. Current population distributions and abundances are 
unknown for either dace. Primary threats to each species at the time of 
listing were a limited distribution, habitat manipulation, small 
population size, and nonnative fish introductions. Recovery of these 
species will require removal and/or control of nonnative fishes and 
cooperative agreements with landowners to protect habitat.
    The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan. All 
comments received by the date specified above will be considered prior 
to revision and approval of this plan.

Authority

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

    Dated: September 24, 1997.
Michael J. Spear,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-25840 Filed 9-29-97; 8:45 am]
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