[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 49478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24145]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Bluemask
(=Jewel) Darter 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 the bluemask (=jewel) darter. This small darter (2 inches
long) is endemic to the Caney Fork River system (above Great Falls),
Cumberland River Basin, in central Tennessee. The species was
historically known from five rivers and is still known from four of
these rivers (Cane Creek, Van Buren County; Collins River, Warren and
Grundy Counties; Rocky River, Van Buren County; and Upper Caney Fork
River, White County). The Collins River population inhabits about 23
stream miles. However, the other three populations inhabit less than
2.8 stream miles each. Populations of this species have been fragmented
by habitat alteration, water withdrawal, and the general deterioration
of water quality resulting from siltation and other pollutants
contributed by coal mining, gravel mining, poor land use practices, and
waste discharges. These factors continue to impact the species and its
habitat. The species' present limited distribution also makes it
vulnerable to extirpation from stochastic events such as chemical
spills. 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 19, 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. Richard Biggins, Fish and Mollusk
Recovery Coordinator, at the address and telephone number shown in the
``Addresses'' section (Ext. 228).
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, 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 the
bluemask (=jewel) darter (Etheostoma (Doration) sp.). The areas of
emphasis for recovery actions arte the tributaries of the Caney Fork
River system (above Great Falls Reservoir). Cumberland River basin, in
central Tennessee. Habitat protection, population augmentation and
reintroduction, and the 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 16, 1996.
Brian P. Cole,
State Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 96-24145 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
