[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 43 (Friday, March 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10716-10717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5427]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Gila topminnow 
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 draft revised recovery plan for the 
Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis occidentalis). This 
endangered species now occurs in the Gila River basin of Arizona and 
Mexico. Only the U.S. portion of the range is protected under the 
Endangered Species Act. Historical records exist for the Gila River 
basin in New Mexico. The Service solicits comments from the public on 
the draft revised recovery plan.
    In 1967 the Gila (Sonoran) topminnow was listed as endangered 
within the United States, under the Endangered Species Protection Act 
of 1966 (USDI 1967). Following passage of the Endangered Species Act of 
1969, the Gila (Sonoran) topminnow was included on Appendix D, the list 
of species endangered within the United States (USDI 1970).

DATES: Written comments on the recovery plan should be received on or 
before April 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review recovery plan may obtain a copy by 
contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological 
Services Field Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, 
Arizona 85021, (602-640-2720; Fax 602-640-2730), or the person named 
below. Written data or comments concerning the recovery plan should be 
submitted to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office, 
Phoenix, Arizona (see address above). Comments and materials are 
available on request for public inspection, by appointment, during 
normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Duncan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Tucson Sub-office, 300 West Congress, Room 4D, Tucson, AZ 
85701 (520-670-4860; Fax 520-670-4567).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Restoring threatened and endangered animals 
or plants where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystem is a primary goal of the Service's endangered species 
program. The purpose of a recovery plan is to guide the recovery of a 
listed species. The 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 actions needed.
    The Endangered Species Act (Act) requires development of recovery 
plans for listed species unless such a plan would not promote the 
conservation of that species. The Act also requires that public notice 
and an opportunity for public review 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 Sonoran topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis), includes two 
subspecies, the Gila topminnow (P. o. occidentalis) and the Yaqui 
topminnow (P. o. occidentalis). Recovery of the Yaqui topminnow is 
covered by the Yaqui Fishes Recovery Plan. The Gila topminnow is native 
to the Gila River Basin of the United States and Mexico, and the Rios 
de la Concepcion and Sonora of northern Mexico. It was considered one 
of the most common fishes in the southern part of the Colorado River 
basin prior to 1940. However, habitat loss and interaction with 
nonnative fishes, particularly western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) 
caused range-wide disappearances and decreases in abundance within the 
United States.
    Gila topminnows were historically widespread in the Gila River 
drainage below about 4,000 feet elevation. The subspecies was found in 
the San Francisco River at Frisco Hot Springs, New Mexico, west to the 
mainstem Gila River near Yuma, Arizona, and possibly even into the 
lower Colorado River. The fish thrived in the Salt River as far 
upstream as the present site of Roosevelt Lake and was also common in 
Tonto Creek. Although there are no museum specimens from the Verde or 
San Simon rivers, Gila topminnows likely occurred there. Two 
collections are known from the San Pedro River. Records of Gila

[[Page 10717]]

topminnow are also known from the Santa Cruz River. Various tributary 
streams and springs, most notably Sonoita Creek, Cienega Creek, and 
Sabino Canyon, also historically supported Gila topminnows.
    Habitat destruction and introduction of nonnative species have 
caused severe reductions of Gila topminnow populations, and are the 
main causes for its listing as an endangered species. Past and current 
threats to the Gila topminnow and its habitat include dams, water 
diversion, watershed deterioration, channelization, livestock 
overgrazing, and introduction of nonnative competitive and predatory 
aquatic species. The western mosquitofish has proved to be especially 
detrimental to Gila topminnow populations.
    Since being federally listed in 1967, the Gila topminnow has been 
reestablished into more locations than any native fish in the 
Southwest. However, both naturally occurring and reestablished 
populations continue to decline. The recovery plan details the Gila 
topminnow recovery effort, acquaints the reader with the subspecies and 
its status, the threats it faces, and provides a revised plan for its 
survival and recovery in the United States.
    The draft revised recovery plan has been extensively reviewed the 
last five years by agencies, species experts, and the Desert Fishes 
Recovery Team. The plan will be published as final following 
incorporation of comments and material received during this comment 
period.
    Public Comments Solicited: The Service solicits comments on the 
draft revised recovery plan described. All comments received by the 
date specified above will be considered prior to approval of the plans.

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

    Dated: February 26, 1999.
Thomas Bauer,
Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5427 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]
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