[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 5435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2080]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of Draft Conservation Agreement for the
Virgin Spinedace for Review and Comment
AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the
availability for public review of a Draft Conservation Agreement for
the Virgin spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis mollispinis). This species
is proposed for Federal listing as threatened pursuant to the
Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The Conservation
Agreement was developed by the Utah Department of Natural Resources,
with participation from the following parties--Bureau of Land
Management, National Park Service, Nevada Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Washington
County Water Conservancy District, and the Service. The agreement
focuses on reducing and eliminating significant threats and enhancing
and/or stabilizing specific reaches of occupied and unoccupied
historical habitat of the Virgin spinedace. The Service solicits review
and comment from the public on this draft agreement.
DATES: Comments on the Draft Conservation Agreement must be received on
or before March 28, 1995 to be considered by the Service during
preparation of the final conservation agreement and prior to the
Service's determination whether it will be a signatory party to the
agreement.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Conservation Agreement
may obtain a copy by contacting the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 145 East 1300 South, Suite 404, Salt Lake City, Utah
84115. Written comments and materials regarding the Draft Conservation
Agreement should also be directed to the same address. Comments and
materials received will be available on request for public inspection,
by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Roberts D. Williams, Assistant Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES
section) (telephone 801/524-5001).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Virgin spinedace is a small minnow endemic to the Virgin River
drainage basin in southwestern Utah, northwestern Arizona, and
southeastern Nevada. Over the last 50 years, the range of the species
has declined by approximately 37-40 percent due to human impacts such
as water development projects, agriculture, mining, urbanization, and
introduction of nonactive fishes. The Virgin spinedace was proposed for
listing as a threatened species on May 18, 1994 (59 FR 25875). In May
1994 the Utah Department of Natural Resources initiated development of
a Conservation Agreement, working cooperatively with other agencies, in
an effort to reduce the threats affecting the Virgin spinedace.
The Conservation Agreement outlines five general management actions
and four general administrative actions required to meet the objectives
of the agreement. These actions include reestablishing and maintaining
required flows, enhancing and maintaining habitat, selectively
controlling nonnative fish, maintaining genetic viability, monitoring
populations and habitat, coordinating conservation activities,
implementing the conservation schedule, funding conservation actions,
and assessing conservation progress.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service will use information received in its determination as
to whether it should be a signatory party to the agreement. Comments or
suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the
scientific community, industry, or any other interested party
concerning this draft document are hereby solicited. All comments and
materials received will be considered prior to the approval of any
final document.
Author
The primary author of this notice is Janet Mizzi (see ADDRESSES
section) (telephone 801/524-5001).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Act of
1956, the Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination Act of 1964, and the
National Memorandum of Understanding (94(SMU-058)).
Dated: January 23, 1995.
Ralph O. Morgenweck,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-2080 Filed 1-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
