[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 178 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 48159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23334]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for Anthony's
Riversnail for Review and Comment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the
availability for public review of a technical/agency draft recovery
plan for Anthony's riversnail (Athearnia anthonyi). This rare
freshwater snail currently has a very fragmented, relict distribution
but historically was once fairly widespread in the Tennessee River
system, where it was associated with shoal areas in the main stem of
the Tennessee River and lower reaches of some of its tributaries in
eastern Tennessee, northern Alabama, and northwestern Georgia. Many of
the historic occurrences of the species have been lost as a result of
impoundments and the general deterioration of water quality from
siltation and other pollutants contributed by past mining activities,
poor land-use practices, and waste discharges. Only two populations of
Anthony's riversnail are known to survive--one in the Tennessee River
in Jackson County, Alabama, and Marion County, Tennessee, extending
into the lower Sequatchie River, Marion County, Tennessee; and one that
is restricted to the lower reaches of Limestone Creek, Limestone
County, Alabama. The potential for degradation of the water and
substratum quality in the two areas where Anthony's riversnail exists
is the most significant threat to the species' continued survival.
Unless new populations are found or reestablished and existing
populations are maintained, this species will remain in jeopardy of
extinction for the foreseeable future. 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 November 12, 1996 to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the technical/agency draft
recovery plan may obtain a copy by contacting the Asheville Field
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville,
North Carolina 28801 (Telephone 704/258-3939). Written comments and
materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the Field
Supervisor at the above address. 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. John Fridell, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the address and
telephone number shown in the Addresses section (Ext. 225).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their
ecosystems is a primary goal of the 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
the conservation of the species, establish criteria for recognizing the
recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and estimate time
and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.) (Act), 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 a 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 approved recovery plans.
The primary species considered in this draft recovery plan is
Anthony's riversnail (Athearnia anthonyi). The area of emphasis for
recovery actions is the Tennessee River system in eastern Tennessee,
northern Alabama, and northwestern Georgia. Habitat protection,
reintroduction, and preservation of genetic material are the major
objectives of this recovery plan.
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 final plan.
Authority: The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the
Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
Dated: September 6, 1996.
Brian P. Cole,
State Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-23334 Filed 9-11-96; 8:45 am]
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