[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 248 (Monday, December 28, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71424-71425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34213]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period and availability of 
draft conservation agreement.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that 
the public comment period on the proposal to list the Pecos pupfish 
(Cyprinodon pecosensis) as an endangered species is reopened. The 
Service, in cooperation with the New Mexico Department of Game and 
Fish, New Mexico State Parks Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department, and Bureau of Reclamation, has formulated a draft 
Conservation Agreement that may provide significant new information 
concerning the threats to the survival of the species. The reopening of 
the comment period will allow all interested parties to submit comments 
on the proposal and the draft Conservation Agreement. The draft 
Conservation Agreement is available for

[[Page 71425]]

review (see ADDRESSES), and we are seeking comments or suggestions from 
the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific 
community, industry, or any other interested parties concerning the 
proposed rule and the draft Conservation Agreement.

DATES: The comment period for this proposal is reopened and will close 
on January 27, 1999. All comments on the proposal and the draft 
Conservation Agreement will be accepted through January 27, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials should be sent to the Field 
Supervisor, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna NE, 
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113. Comments and materials received will be 
available for public inspection during normal business hours, by 
appointment, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Fowler-Propst, Field 
Supervisor, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, at the above 
address (505) 346-2525. A copy of the draft Conservation Agreement for 
the Pecos pupfish can be requested by writing to the above address or 
calling (800) 299-0196.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Pecos pupfish was proposed for listing as an endangered species 
on January 30, 1998 (63 FR 4608). A public hearing on the proposal was 
held in Carlsbad, New Mexico on April 9, 1998. During the extended 
public comment period (January 30 to November 20, 1998), we contacted 
State and Federal land and resource management agencies in New Mexico 
and Texas to determine if adequate protections could be implemented 
through a Conservation Agreement. The draft Conservation Agreement 
formulated by these agencies is available for public review (see 
ADDRESSES). The Agreement and any comments received concerning it will 
be fully considered by the Service in determining if the threats upon 
which the proposal to list the species was based have been sufficiently 
addressed.
    The draft Conservation Agreement sets forth the commitments of 
State and Federal agencies to control nonnative competing species and 
to protect and manage the Pecos pupfish and its habitat to ensure its 
survival and promote its conservation. The Agreement addresses the 
significant threats to the species arising from its small, isolated 
populations and from the potential for hybridization with the 
sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus). The signatory agencies to 
the Agreement have made commitments to protect known extant populations 
of pure Pecos pupfish, expand the distribution of the species within 
its native range by establishing new populations, and to prohibit the 
use of sheepshead minnow through revision of baitfish regulations in 
New Mexico and Texas. If these commitments are adequate in removing the 
identified threats to the Pecos pupfish, listing of the species may not 
be required.

Author

    The primary author of this document is Jennifer Fowler-Propst, New 
Mexico Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act (16 
U.S.C. 1532 et seq.).

    Dated: December 18, 1998.
Renne Lohoefener,
Acting Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-34213 Filed 12-24-98; 8:45 am]
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