[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 58748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29220]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Reopening of Public Comment on Draft Recovery Goals for Four 
Endangered Fishes of the Colorado River Basin

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of reopening of public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice of the 
reopening of the public comment period on the Draft Recovery Goals for 
the Four Endangered Fishes of the Colorado River Basin. The initial 
public comment period opened September 10, 2001, and closed October 25, 
2001. To accommodate several requests for extension, the Service is 
reopening the comment period for an additional 15 days. Copies of the 
Draft Recovery Goals are available (in *.pdf format) for viewing and 
downloading at: http://www.r6.fws.gov/crrip/rg.htm, or from the Upper 
Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (see Addresses 
section). The Service is seeking comments or suggestions from the 
public, other concerned government agencies, the scientific community, 
or any other interested parties concerning the Draft Recovery Goals. 
Make requests and mail comments to the Director at the address below. 
Comments already submitted on the Draft Recovery Goals need not be 
resubmitted as they will be fully considered.

DATES: The reopen comment period closes December 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal 
should be sent to Dr. Robert Muth, Director, Upper Colorado Endangered 
Fish Recovery Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Post Office Box 
25486, DFC, Denver, Colorado, 80225. You may submit comments by sending 
electronic mail (e-mail) to: [email protected].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To further the recovery of humpback chub 
(Gila cypha), bonytail (Gila elegans), Colorado pikeminnow (formerly 
named Colorado squawfish; Ptchocheilus lucius), and razorback sucker 
(Xyrauchen texanus), the Service announced on September 10, 2001, the 
availability of the Draft Recovery Goals for these endangered fishes of 
the Colorado River Basin and a 45-day comment period. These goals will 
serve as a supplement and amendment to the respective recovery plans 
for each species. We solicit review and comments from agencies and the 
public on these Draft Recovery Goals.
    The purpose of these supplements and amendments are to describe 
site-specific management actions/tasks needed to minimize or remove 
threats; provide objective, measurable recovery criteria for 
downlisting and delisting that identify levels of demongraphic and 
genetic viability needed for self-sustaining populations; and provide 
estimates of the time required to achieve recovery of each of the four 
endangered fish species. 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 and statistical criteria for 
monitoring are identified. 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.

    Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

John A. Blankenship,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 01-29220 Filed 11-21-01; 8:45 am]
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