[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50688-50689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19627]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of the Illinois Cave Amphipod (Gammarus 
acherondytes) Draft Recovery Plan for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces 
availability of the endangered Illinois cave amphipod (Gammarus 
acherondytes) draft recovery plan for public review and comment. The 
Illinois cave amphipod is known only to occur in Monroe and St. Clair 
Counties in southwestern Illinois. The Service solicits review and 
comments from the public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before September 4, 2002 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Rock Island Ecological Services Field Office, 4469 48th Avenue 
Court, Rock Island, Illinois 61201 or by accessing the website: http://midwest.fws.gov/endangered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jody Gustitus Millar at the above 
address, or telephone at (309) 793-5800. TTY users may contact Ms. 
Millar through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point 
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem is 
a primary goal of the Service's endangered species program. To help 
guide the recovery effort, the Service is 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 the recovery levels for 
reclassification and delisting, and provide estimates of time and costs 
for implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.), 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 public notice and opportunity for public review and 
comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service will 
consider all information presented during the 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 document submitted for review is the Illinois Cave Amphipod 
(Gammarus acherondytes) Draft Recovery Plan. The Illinois cave amphipod 
was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on 
September 3, 1998, (63 FR 46900). The principle threat to the existence 
of the species is degradation of karst terrain habitat through 
groundwater contamination (resulting from urbanization, agricultural 
activities, and human and

[[Page 50689]]

animal waste from residential septic systems and livestock feedlots).
    Historically, the Illinois cave amphipod was known to occur in six 
cave systems in Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois. Its presence 
has not been confirmed in Madonnaville Cave, Monroe County and it 
appears to be extirpated from Stemler Cave, St. Clair County. 
Additional populations have been found within the known range of the 
species in two additional groundwater systems in Monroe County.
    The quality and condition of groundwater in the amphipod's habitats 
are tied to land use practices within cave recharge areas. Surface 
activities that have the potential to contribute to the degradation of 
groundwater and cave habitats are best managed at the individual 
landowner and community level. The draft plan proposes to develop 
partnerships with Federal and state agencies, organizations, and 
private landowners that will provide mechanisms for protecting Illinois 
cave amphipod populations through voluntary and incentive-driven 
stewardship efforts.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service requests written comments on the recovery plan 
described. Comments should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Rock Island 
Ecological Services Field Office. All comments and materials received 
by the date specified will be considered prior to approval of the plan. 
They will also be available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours (see ADDRESSES section).

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

    Dated: July 19, 2002.
Charles M. Wooley,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services.
[FR Doc. 02-19627 Filed 8-2-02; 8:45 am]
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