[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 50301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24146]



[[Page 50301]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan 
for Endangered Fat Threeridge (Amblema neislerii), Shinyrayed 
Pocketbook (Lampsilis subangulata), Gulf Moccasinshell (Medionidus 
penicillatus), Ochlockonee Moccasin- shell (Medionidus simpsonianus), 
Oval Pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme) and Threatened Chipola Slabshell 
(Elliptio chipolaensis), and Purple Bankclimber (Elliptoideus 
sloatianus) for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability 
for public review of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for 
endangered fat threeridge (Amblema neislerii), shinyrayed pocketbook 
(Lampsilis subangulata), Gulf moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus), 
Ochlockonee moccasinshell (Medionidus simpsonianus), oval pigtoe 
(Pleurobema pyriforme) and threatened Chipola slabshell (Elliptio 
chipolaensis), and purple bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus). These 
mussels are endemic to eastern Gulf Slope streams draining the 
Apalachicola Region of southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and north 
Florida. Their center of distribution is the Apalachicola-
Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River basin of southeast Alabama, southwest 
Georgia, and northwest Florida. They are currently known from 
restricted portions of from one to four independent river systems. 
These species inhabit stable sandy and gravelly substrates in medium-
sized streams to large rivers, often in areas swept free of silt by the 
current. The abundance and distributions of the seven mussel species 
decreased historically from habitat loss associated with reservoir 
construction, channel construction and maintenance, and erosion. These 
habitat changes have resulted in significant extirpations (localized 
loss of populations), restricted and fragmented distributions, and poor 
recruitment of young. We solicit review and comment from the public on 
this draft plan.

DATES: We must receive comments on the draft recovery plan on or before 
November 15, 1999 to receive consideration by us.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the draft recovery plan by 
contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Panama City Field 
Office, 1612 June Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32405 (telephone 850/
769-0552). Send written comments and materials regarding the plan to 
the Project Leader at the above address. Comments and materials 
received are available on request for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Gail A. Carmody at the above 
address and telephone number (extension 225).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals or plants to the point 
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program. To help 
guide the recovery effort, we are 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 recognizing the recovery levels for downlisting 
or delisting them, and estimate time and cost for implementing the 
recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, 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 a public notice and an opportunity for public review and 
comment be provided during recovery plan development. We will consider 
all information presented during a public comment period prior to 
approval of each new or revised recovery plan. We and other Federal 
agencies will also take these comments into account in the course of 
implementing approved recovery plans.
    Despite intensive research and management efforts, the survival of 
these mussels is still perilous. Based upon available information 
concerning their range, biology, and threats to their continued 
survival, it is not yet possible to determine if or when full recovery 
of these species is possible. This draft recovery plan outlines a 
mechanism that provides for the protection, maintenance, and 
enhancement of the only known wild populations and the establishment of 
new wild populations in the future. We officially determined endangered 
status for five freshwater mussels, and threatened status for two 
freshwater mussels from eastern Gulf Slope drainage of Alabama, 
Florida, and Georgia in Final rule of Federal Register 63(50):12664-
12687. The eastern Gulf Slope streams draining the Apalachicola Region 
are defined as streams from the Escambia to the Suwannee River systems. 
Occurring in southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and north Florida, 
they collectively form one of the largest drainage areas in the eastern 
Gulf Coastal Plain. Historically, these rivers were known for their 
rich freshwater mussel populations. However, listed mussel species have 
undergone significant reduction in total range and abundance. We will 
use comments and information provided during this review in preparing 
the final recovery plan.

Public Comments Solicited

    We solicit written comments on the recovery plan described. We will 
consider all comments received by the date specified above 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: September 10, 1999.
Gail A. Carmody,
Project Leader.
[FR Doc. 99-24146 Filed 9-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P