[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55270-55271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21883]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of 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 (Ptychocheilus lucius), 
and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), we, the Fish and Wildlife 
Service announce the availability of recovery goals for these 
endangered fishes of the Colorado River Basin. This information will 
serve as an amendment and supplement to the respective existing 
recovery plans for each species. The 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of these recovery goals is 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. Recovery of the humpback chub, bonytail, and razorback sucker 
is considered in two recovery units, i.e., upper basin (upstream of 
Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona) and lower basin. Recovery of the Colorado 
pikeminnow is considered only in the upper basin recovery unit. 
Downlisting and delisting criteria by listing factors and management 
actions, as well as demographic criteria, are presented for populations 
of each species within the recovery units. In addition, updated life-
history information and estimated time to achieve the downlisting and 
delisting requirements are also presented. These recovery goals serve 
as amendments and supplements to the recovery plans by providing more 
specific objective and measurable criteria to recover each of the four 
fish species.
    Draft recovery goals were made available for public comment on 
September 10, 2001, through a Federal Register Notice of Availability 
(66 FR 47033-47034) and on November 23, 2001, through a Federal 
Register Notice of Reopening (66 FR 58748). Comments were categorized 
by topic and

[[Page 55271]]

responded to in a separate document entitled, ``Responses to public 
comments on draft recovery goals for the Colorado pikeminnow, humpback 
chub, razorback sucker, and bonytail.''
    Paper and compact disc copies of the documents will be mailed to 
interested parties upon request. The recovery goals are also available 
(in*. pdf format) for viewing and downloading http://www.r6.fws.gov/crrip/rg.htm. Make requests to the Director at the address below.

ADDRESSES: Mail 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.

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.

Dr. Ralph O. Morgenweck,
Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 02-21883 Filed 8-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P