[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 179 (Friday, September 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48500-48501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23476]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of Draft Conservation Agreements for the
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout and the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout for
Review and Comment
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 for public review of two Draft Conservation Agreements,
one for the Bonneville cutthroat trout (Onchornychus clarki utah) in
the State of Utah and one for the Colorado River cutthroat trout
(Onchornychus clarki pleuriticus) in the State of Utah. Both of these
species are designated species of special concern by the Service and
within the State of Utah. The Conservation Agreements were developed by
the Utah Department of Natural Resources, as a collaborative and
cooperative effort among resource agencies. Both agreements focus on
reducing and eliminating significant threats to the species that
warrant their special status, and on restoring and maintaining
populations of each species to ensure their longterm conservation
within their respective historical ranges. The Service solicits review
and comment from the public on these draft agreements.
DATES: Comments on the Draft Conservation Agreements must be received
on or before October 15, 1996 to be considered by the Service during
preparation of the final Conservation Agreements and prior to the
Service's determination whether it will be a signatory party to the
agreements.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Conservation Agreements
may obtain a copy by contacting the Assistant Field Supervisor, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 145 East 1300 South, Suite 404, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84115. Written comments and materials regarding the Draft
Conservation Agreements also should be directed to the same address.
Comments and materials received will be available on request for public
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert D. Williams, Assistant
Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 801/524-5001).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Bonneville cutthroat trout is a subspecies of cutthroat trout
native to the Bonneville Basin of Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming. The
desiccation of ancient Lake Bonneville restricted Bonneville cutthroat
trout to headwater streams and lakes within the Basin. Human activities
such as water development, agricultural development, energy
development, mining, timber harvesting, grazing, overfishing, and the
introduction of nonnative species have impacted Bonneville cutthroat
trout populations. The tenuous status of the remaining populations and
the habitat has led to conservation efforts at the Federal, State, and
local level. The Utah Department of Natural Resources initiated
development of a Conservation Agreement for the Bonneville cutthroat
trout in 1995, working cooperatively with other agencies, in an effort
to ensure the longterm conservation of Bonneville cutthroat trout
within its historical range in Utah.
The Colorado River cutthroat trout is a subspecies of cutthroat
trout native to the upper Colorado River drainage in Utah, Colorado,
Wyoming, and Arizona. Current distribution of the subspecies is
restricted to headwater drainages of the Colorado River above the Grand
Canyon. Human activities such as water development, agricultural
activities, energy development, mining, overfishing, and the
introduction of nonnative species have impacted Colorado River
cutthroat trout populations. The tenuous status of the remaining
populations and the habitat has led to conservation efforts at the
Federal, State, and local level. The Utah Department of Natural
Resources initiated development of a Conservation Agreement for the
Colorado River cutthroat trout in 1995, working cooperatively with
other agencies, in an effort to ensure the longterm conservation of
Colorado River cutthroat trout within its historical range in Utah.
The Conservation Agreements for both subspecies of cutthroat trout
[[Page 48501]]
outline seven general management actions and four general
administrative actions required to meet the objectives of the
agreements. These actions include--determining baseline Bonneville and
Colorado River cutthroat population, life history, and habitat data;
determining and maintaining genetic integrity; enhancing and
maintaining habitat; selectively controlling nonnative species;
expanding populations and range through introductions or
reintroductions; monitoring populations and habitat; and developing a
mitigation protocol for proposed water development and future habitat
alteration, where needed; coordinating conservation activities,
implementing the conservation schedule; funding conservation actions;
and assessing conservation progress.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service will use information received in its determination as
to whether it should be a signatory party to the agreements. Comments
or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies,
the scientific community, industry, or any other interested party
concerning the draft documents are hereby solicited. All comments and
materials received will be considered prior to the approval of any
final document.
Author
The primary author of this notice is Janet Mizzi (see ADDRESSES
section) (telephone 801/524-5001).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Act of
1956, the Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination Act of 1964, and the
National Memorandum of Understanding (94 (SMU-058)).
Dated: September 6, 1996.
Ralph O. Morgenweck,
Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 96-23476 Filed 9-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
