[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13758]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 7, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the
Endangered and Threatened Fishes of the Rio Yaqui for Review and
Comment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the
availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for endangered
and threatened fishes of the Rio Yaqui. Four species are included in
the recovery plan: Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei), and beautiful
shiner (Cyprinella formosa), both listed by the Service as threatened
species on August 31, 1984 (49 FR 34494); Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea),
listed by the Service as endangered on August 31, 1984 (49 FR 34494);
and Yaqui topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonoriensis), listed by
the Service as endangered on March 11, 1967 (32 FR 4001). Historically,
the headwaters of the Rio Yaqui that occur in the United States may not
have provided sufficient habitat for large populations of the Yaqui
catfish, however the other three species were widely distributed
throughout the upper reaches of the Rio Yaqui system. Loss of habitat,
plus competition and predation from nonnative fish threaten the
continued survival of these fish within the United States. The Service
solicits review and comments from the public on this draft plan.
DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or
before August 8, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting the Refuge Manager, San Bernardino National
Wildlife, 1408 10th Street, Douglas, Arizona 85607. Comments and
materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the Refuge Manager.
Comments and materials received are available on request for public
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Kevin Cobble, Refuge Manager, (602) 364-2104 or at the above
address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Restoring an endangered or threatened plant or animal 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 site-specific management
actions considered necessary for conservation and survival of the
species, establish objective, measurable criteria for the recovery
levels for downlisting or delisting species, and estimate time and cost
for implementing recovery measures needed.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) requires development of recovery plans for listed species
unless such a plan would not promote 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 preparation. The Service considers all
information during a public comment prior to approval of each new or
revised recovery plan. The Service and other Federal agencies also take
these comments into account in the course of implementing approved
recovery plans.
Loss of habitat and competition with, and or predations from,
nonnative fish are threats to the continued survival of the listed fish
of the Rio Yaqui. In addition, the Yaqui catfish hybridizes with
channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) thereby encountering an
additional threat. The recovery plan addresses protection of existing
populations, restoration of depleted populations, and protection and
restoration of habitat as elements that must be achieved if the species
is to survive in the wild. The recovery plan also recognizes the need
to work with Mexican Government and Mexican biologists to conserve
habitat and fish populations that occur in Mexico. Expansion of these
species into historic habitat in Mexico will need to be accomplished
before delisting of these species can occur.
The plan will be finalized and approved following incorporation of
comments and materials received during this comment period.
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 the 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: May 27, 1994.
John G. Rogers,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-13758 Filed 6-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
