[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4029]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 23, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Snake River Aquatic
Species 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 announces the availability
for public review of a draft recovery plan for the Snake River aquatic
species. The Snake River species include five Snake River molluscs
listed as threatened (Bliss Rapids Snail) or endangered (the Snake
River Physa, Banbury Springs lanx or limpet, Utah Valvata Snail and
Idaho Springsnail) (57 FR 59244), three additional molluscs and one
fish taxa currently listed as Federal candidate species, and two State
of Idaho Sensitive fish taxa. The aquatic habitats essential to all
these species throughout the Snake River are similar and cannot be
isolated for recovery purposes. The primary and immediate recovery
objectives of this Plan include implementing the conservation measures
to prevent the extinction and/or further decline of existing colonies
of the listed snails by eliminating or reducing known threats. Basic
information necessary to establish recovery criteria so that the listed
species can be reclassified or delisted will also be collected. Long
term objectives are to reverse declining habitat trends and restore the
Snake River ecosystem so that self-reproducing colonies of the four
endangered and one threatened snails are protected to the point that
they are delisted. The Service solicits review and comment from the
public on this draft plan.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or
before April 25, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting the State Supervisor, Ecological Services--Idaho
State Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4696 Overland Road, Room
576, Boise, Idaho 3705 or by calling (208) 334-1931. Written comments
and materials regarding the draft recovery plan should be addressed to
the State Supervisor--Ecological Services, at the above address.
Comments and materials received are also available on request for
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Charles H. Lobedell, Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological
Services--Idaho State Office, 4696 Overland Road, Room 576, Boise,
Idaho 83705. (208) 334-1931.
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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife 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 downlisting and delisting species, and estimate
time and cost 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 an opportunity for public review and
comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service will
consider all information presented during a 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 approving recovery plans.
The Snake River sub-basin above C.J. Strike dam provides habitat
for a minimum 16 native fish taxa and 42 native molluscs. This includes
five Snake River snails listed as threatened or endangered, three
additional molluscs and one fish taxa currently listed as Federal
candidate species, and two State of Idaho Sensitive fish taxa. With the
advent of exploration and development, the Snake River ecosystem has
undergone significant transformation from a primarily cold-water lotic
system towards a slow-moving warm-water system when compared with its
historic fauna. The human-induced environmental stressors to the
formerly fast-and cold-water Snake River environment include numerous
point and non-point pollution sources, diversion of water for
irrigation or hydropower, and construction of several mainstem dams.
The draft recovery plan specifically addresses the five Federally
listed Snake River snails (December 24, 1992; 57 FR 59244). However,
the aquatic habitats essential to these species and other candidate
fish and mollusc endemic throughout the Snake River are similar and
cannot be isolated for recovery purposes. Therefore, the draft recovery
plan and the entire recovery effort is designed to recover the entire
Snake River ecosystem from C.J. Strke Dam to the confluence of the
Blackfoot River rather than individual species.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan
described. All comments received by the date specified above will be
considered prior to approval of the plan.
Authority
The authority for this action is Section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
Dated: February 11, 1994.
Marvin L. Plenert,
Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-4029 Filed 2-22-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
