[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 199 (Monday, October 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25580]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 17, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of Revised Recovery Action Plan for the Recovery
Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper
Colorado River Basin
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the
availability of the revised Recovery Implementation Program Recovery
Action Plan (RIPRAP) dated September 8, 1994. The RIPRAP identifies
specific actions and timeframes currently believed to be necessary to
recover the endangered fish in the most expeditious manner possible in
the Upper Colorado River Basin (Upper Basin). The REPRAP serves as a
measure of accomplishment so that the Recovery Implementation Program
for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin (Recovery
Program) can continue to serve as the reasonable and prudent
alternative to avoid the likelihood of jeopardy to the continued
existence of the endangered fish for projects undergoing section 7
consultations. A final rule designating critical habitat for the
endangered fish was published on March 24, 1994 (59 FR 13374). The
Recovery Program also is intended to serve as the reasonable and
prudent alternative to avoid the likely destruction or adverse
modification of critical habitat. Modifications were made to the RIPRAP
so that the Recovery Program can fulfill that intent. A notice of
availability of the draft modifications to the RIPRAP was published in
59 FR 31620, June 20, 1994. Public comment was considered and the
modifications were finalized by the Service in coordination with the
Recovery Program's Management and Implementation committees.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to receive a copy of the revised RIPRAP may
contact the Assistant Regional Director--Ecological Services, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver,
Colorado 80225; FAX 303/236-0027.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. John Hamill (see ADDRESSES above), at telephone 303/236-2985.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Four native fish species that inhabit the Colorado River Basin are
federally listed as endangered: the Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus
lucius), humpback chub (Gila cypha), bonytail (Gila elegans), and
razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus). Each was once abundant in the
Upper Basin; however, they have declined in numbers and now are
threatened with extinction from their natural habitat due to direct
loss of habitat, changes in water flow and temperature regimes,
blockage of migration routes, and interactions with introduced
(nonnative) fish species.
In 1988, the Governors of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, the
Secretary of the Interior, and the Administrator of the Western Area
Power Administration entered into a cooperative agreement to implement
the Recovery Program. The purpose of the Recovery Program is to recover
the four endangered fish in the Upper Basin while providing for future
water development to proceed in compliance with the Endangered Species
Act, Interstate Compacts, and State law. The Upper Basin is defined as
the Colorado River drainage upstream of Lake Powell, with the exception
of the San Juan River drainage.
The Recovery Program includes procedures for section 7
consultations. In 1992, the Service raised an issue with Recovery
Program participants as to whether progress toward recovery of the fish
has been sufficient to allow for continued issuance of favorable
biological opinions. Discussions among Recovery Program participants
resulted in an agreement, finalized on October 15, 1993, that clarified
how section 7 consultations would be conducted in the Upper Basin on
depletion impacts related to new projects and impacts associated with
historic projects (existing projects requiring a new Federal action),
with the exception of the discharge by historic projects of pollutants
such as trace elements, heavy metals, and pesticides. The RIPRAP was
developed by Recovery Program participants in support of the section 7
agreement using the best information available and the recovery goals
established for the four endangered fish species. It identifies
specific actions and timeframes currently believed to be required to
recover the endangered fish in the most expeditious manner possible in
the Upper Basin. The RIPRAP serves as a measure of accomplishment so
that the Recovery Program can continue to serve as the reasonable and
prudent alternative to avoid the likelihood of jeopardy to the
continued existence of the endangered fish for projects undergoing
section 7 consultation. The Recovery Program also is intended to serve
as the reasonable and prudent alternative which avoids the likely
destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. The
modifications in the revised RIPRAP are designed to fulfill such
intent. The modifications were not extensive and are primarily intended
to provide further definition to actions already identified in the
RIPRAP and to provide increased certainty that the Recovery Program can
continue to serve as the reasonable and prudent alternative for
projects subject to section 7 consultation.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
A programmatic Environmental Assessment was completed on the
Recovery Program in November 1987. The Environmental Assessment
provides an analysis and assessment of the impacts to the environment
from Recovery Program implementation. The October 1993 Agreement and
RIPRAP, including the modifications, identify in more detail how the
Recovery Program will be carried out. Appropriate site-specific NEPA
compliance will be conducted on specific actions identified in the
RIPRAP.
Author
This notice was prepared by John Hamill, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: October 6, 1994.
Terry T. Terrell,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-25580 Filed 10-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
