[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 50301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24146]
[[Page 50301]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan
for Endangered Fat Threeridge (Amblema neislerii), Shinyrayed
Pocketbook (Lampsilis subangulata), Gulf Moccasinshell (Medionidus
penicillatus), Ochlockonee Moccasin- shell (Medionidus simpsonianus),
Oval Pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme) and Threatened Chipola Slabshell
(Elliptio chipolaensis), and Purple Bankclimber (Elliptoideus
sloatianus) for Review and Comment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability
for public review of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for
endangered fat threeridge (Amblema neislerii), shinyrayed pocketbook
(Lampsilis subangulata), Gulf moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus),
Ochlockonee moccasinshell (Medionidus simpsonianus), oval pigtoe
(Pleurobema pyriforme) and threatened Chipola slabshell (Elliptio
chipolaensis), and purple bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus). These
mussels are endemic to eastern Gulf Slope streams draining the
Apalachicola Region of southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and north
Florida. Their center of distribution is the Apalachicola-
Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River basin of southeast Alabama, southwest
Georgia, and northwest Florida. They are currently known from
restricted portions of from one to four independent river systems.
These species inhabit stable sandy and gravelly substrates in medium-
sized streams to large rivers, often in areas swept free of silt by the
current. The abundance and distributions of the seven mussel species
decreased historically from habitat loss associated with reservoir
construction, channel construction and maintenance, and erosion. These
habitat changes have resulted in significant extirpations (localized
loss of populations), restricted and fragmented distributions, and poor
recruitment of young. We solicit review and comment from the public on
this draft plan.
DATES: We must receive comments on the draft recovery plan on or before
November 15, 1999 to receive consideration by us.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the draft recovery plan by
contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Panama City Field
Office, 1612 June Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32405 (telephone 850/
769-0552). Send written comments and materials regarding the plan to
the Project Leader 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: Ms. Gail A. Carmody at the above
address and telephone number (extension 225).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Restoring endangered or threatened animals or plants to the point
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their
ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program. To help
guide the recovery effort, we are 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 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. We will consider
all information presented during a public comment period prior to
approval of each new or revised recovery plan. We and other Federal
agencies will also take these comments into account in the course of
implementing approved recovery plans.
Despite intensive research and management efforts, the survival of
these mussels is still perilous. Based upon available information
concerning their range, biology, and threats to their continued
survival, it is not yet possible to determine if or when full recovery
of these species is possible. This draft recovery plan outlines a
mechanism that provides for the protection, maintenance, and
enhancement of the only known wild populations and the establishment of
new wild populations in the future. We officially determined endangered
status for five freshwater mussels, and threatened status for two
freshwater mussels from eastern Gulf Slope drainage of Alabama,
Florida, and Georgia in Final rule of Federal Register 63(50):12664-
12687. The eastern Gulf Slope streams draining the Apalachicola Region
are defined as streams from the Escambia to the Suwannee River systems.
Occurring in southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and north Florida,
they collectively form one of the largest drainage areas in the eastern
Gulf Coastal Plain. Historically, these rivers were known for their
rich freshwater mussel populations. However, listed mussel species have
undergone significant reduction in total range and abundance. We will
use comments and information provided during this review in preparing
the final recovery plan.
Public Comments Solicited
We solicit written comments on the recovery plan described. We will
consider all comments received by the date specified above 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: September 10, 1999.
Gail A. Carmody,
Project Leader.
[FR Doc. 99-24146 Filed 9-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
