[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47033-47034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22602]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Draft Recovery Goals for Four 
Endangered Fishes of the Colorado River Basin

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: To further the recovery of humpback chub (Gila cypha), 
bonytail (Gila elegans), Colorado pikeminnow (formerly named Colorado 
squawfish; Ptychocheilus lucius), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen 
texanus), we, the Fish and Wildlife Service announce the availability 
of draft recovery goals for these endangered fishes of the Colorado 
River Basin. This information will serve as a supplement and amendment 
to the respective existing recovery plans for each species. The draft 
recovery goals for each species provide objective, measurable recovery 
criteria for downlisting and delisting that identify levels of 
demographic and genetic viability needed for self-sustaining 
populations and site-specific management actions/tasks needed to 
minimize or remove threats. We solicit review and comment from agencies 
and the public on these draft recovery goals. Reviewers should pay 
particular attention to the application of existing demographic and 
genetic data in the development of minimum viable population (MVP) 
standards and the downlisting and delisting monitoring periods 
associated with each species.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of these supplements and 
amendments are to describe site-specific management actions/tasks; 
provide objective, measurable recovery criteria; and provide estimates 
of the time required to achieve recovery of each of the four endangered 
fish species. The recovery goals for the humpback chub, razorback 
sucker, and bonytail are identified by two recovery units, upper basin 
(above Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona) and lower basin. Recovery of the 
Colorado pikeminnow is currently considered only for the upper basin. 
Downlisting and delisting criteria by listing factors and management 
actions, as well as demographic criteria, are presented for populations 
of each species within recovery units. In addition, updated life-
history information, statistical criteria for monitoring, and estimated 
time to achieve downlisting and delisting requirements are also 
identified. These serve as supplements and amendments to the recovery 
plans by providing more

[[Page 47034]]

specific objective and measurable criteria to recover each of the four 
fish species.
    Copies of the Draft Recovery Goals will be mailed to interested 
parties upon request. The documents are also available (in *.pdf 
format) for viewing and downloading at: http://www.r6.fws.gov/crrip/rg.htm. Make requests and mail comments to the Director at the address 
below. You may submit comments by sending electronic mail (e-mail) to: 
colorivgoals @ fws.gov.

DATES: The agency must receive comments on or before October 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments and requests to Dr. Robert Muth, Director, 
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Post Office Box 25486, DFC, Denver, Colorado, 80225. 
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for information about electronic filing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robert Muth, Director (extension 
268), Dr. Thomas Czapla (extension 228) or Ms. Debra Felker (extension 
227), Coordinators (see ADDRESSES above), at telephone (303) 969-7322.

    Dated: August 20, 2001.
Ralph O. Morgenweck,
Regional Director, Denver, CO.
[FR Doc. 01-22602 Filed 9-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P