[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28238]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 16, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Public Hearings
and Reopening of Comment Period on Proposed Endangered Status for the
Cumberland Elktoe, Oyster Mussel, Cumberlandian Combshell, Purple Bean,
and Rough Rabbitsfoot
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearings and reopening of
comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that
two public hearings will be held on the proposed determination of
endangered status for five freshwater mussels (Cumberland elktoe
(Alasmidonta atropurpurea), oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis),
Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), purple bean (Villosa
perpurpurea), and rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata))
and that the comment period on the proposal is being reopened. These
mussels are found at various locations in the Cumberland and Tennessee
River basins in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.
DATES: Public hearings on the proposal will be held on December 13,
1994, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. central standard time in Jamestown,
Tennessee, and on December 15, 1994, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. central
standard time in Lewisburg, Tennessee. The comment period is reopened
on the proposal from November 23, 1994, through December 30, 1994.
ADDRESSES: The December 13, 1994, public hearing will be held in the
Auditorium at the York Institute, Route 127 North, Jamestown,
Tennessee. The December 15, 1994, public hearing will be held in the
3rd floor Circuit Courtroom, Marshall County Courthouse, Public Square,
Lewisburg, Tennessee. Comments should be sent to the Field Supervisor,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville Field Office, 330 Ridgefield
Court, Asheville, North Carolina 28806.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard G. Biggins at the above
field office address (704/665-1195, Ext. 228).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
All five mussels have undergone significant reductions in range and
now exist as relatively small, isolated populations. The Cumberland
elktoe exists in very localized portions of the upper Cumberland River
system in Kentucky and Tennessee. The oyster mussel and Cumberland
combshell persist at extremely low numbers in portions of the
Cumberland and Tennessee River basins in Kentucky, Tennessee, and
Virginia. The purple bean and rough rabbitsfoot currently survive in a
few river reaches in the Tennessee River system in Tennessee and
Virginia. These species were historically eliminated from much of their
range by impoundments. Presently, they and their habitat are impacted
by water quality and habitat deterioration resulting from siltation
contributed by poor land use practices and coal mining practices and by
other water pollutants. The mussels' limited distribution also makes
them vulnerable to toxic chemical spills.
On July 14, 1994, the Service published in the Federal Register (59
FR 35900) a proposal to list these five mussels. Section 4(b)(5)(E) of
the Act provides for a public hearing on a proposed listing if
requested within 45 days of the proposal's publication. The Service
received several public hearing requests during the allotted time
period from within the following counties: Fentress, Cumberland, and
Marshall Counties, Tennessee; and McCreary County, Kentucky.
In response to the public hearing requests, the Service is
reopening the comment period and has scheduled two public hearings on
the proposal to list these five mussels as endangered species. The
comment period on the proposal originally closed on September 12, 1994.
The comment period is being reopened from November 23, 1994, through
December 30, 1994, to accommodate the hearings and to allow additional
time for written comments. Written comments received during this time
period will become a part of the administrative record and will be
given the same consideration as oral comments presented at the
hearings.
The first public hearing will be held December 13, 1994, in the
Auditorium at the York Institute, Route 127 North, Jamestown,
Tennessee, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. central standard time. The second
hearing will be held December 15, 1994, in the 3rd floor Circuit
Courtroom, Marshall County Courthouse, Public Square, Lewisburg,
Tennessee, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. central standard time. Those parties
wishing to make an oral statement for the record are encouraged to
provide a copy of their statement to the Service at the start of the
hearing. In the event there is a large attendance, the time allotted
for oral statements may have to be limited. However, there is no
restriction on the length of written statements.
Written comments mailed to the Service should be submitted to the
office indicated in the ADDRESSES section. Legal notices announcing the
dates, time and location of the hearings will be published in
newspapers at least 15 days prior to the hearings.
Author: The primary author of this notice is Mr. Richard
Biggins, Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 330
Ridgefield Court, Asheville, North Carolina, 28806 (telephone 704/
665-1195, Ext. 228).
Dated: November 8, 1994.
Jerome M. Butler,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-28238 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
