[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50394-50395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25414]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of Draft Conservation Agreement for the
Least Chub (Iotichthys phlegethontis) for Review and Comment
AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability for
public review of a Draft Conservation Agreement for the least chub
(Iotichthys phlegethontis). This species is proposed for Federal
listing as endangered with critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The Conservation Agreement was
developed by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, with
participation from the following parties--Bureau of Land Management;
[[Page 50395]]
Utah Reclamation, Mitigation and Conservation Commission; Bureau of
Reclamation; Central Utah Water Conservancy District; Army Corps of
Engineers; and the Service. The agreement focuses on eliminating or
minimizing threats to the least chub and its habitat to the greatest
extent possible and on restoring and maintaining populations of least
chub throughout its historical range. The Service solicits review and
comment from the public on the draft agreement.
DATES: Comments on the Draft Conservation Agreement must be received on
or before October 27, 1997 to be considered by the Service during
preparation of the final conservation agreement and prior to the
Service's determination whether it will be a signatory party to the
agreement.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Conservation Agreement
may obtain a copy by contacting the 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
Agreement also should be directed to the same address. Comments and
written materials will be available upon request for public inspection,
by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Reed E. Harris, Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone
801/524-5001).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The least chub is a small monotypic minnow endemic to the
Bonneville Basin in Utah where it was once common and widely
distributed. The distribution and abundance of least chub populations
have declined steadily over the past 15-20 years, and at the time it
was proposed for Federal listing as an endangered species with critical
habitat, September 29, 1995 (60 FR 50518), was only known to occur
within the Snake Valley in western Utah. The declines in range and
abundance of least chub has been attributed to competition and
predation from nonnative species and habitat loss and degradation.
Shortly after the species was proposed for Federal listing, the Utah
Department of Natural Resources initiated development of a Conservation
Agreement, working cooperatively with other agencies, in an effort to
reduce the threats affecting the least chub.
The Draft Conservation Agreement focuses on identifying, reducing
and eliminating significant threats to the species that warrant its
listing as an endangered species with critical habitat, and on
restoring and maintaining least chub populations throughout its
historical range.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service will use information received in its determination on
whether it should be a signatory party to the agreement. Comments or
suggestions from the public, other concerned government agencies, the
scientific community, industry, or any other interested party
concerning this draft document 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 18, 1997.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 97-25414 Filed 9-24-97; 8:45 am]
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