[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23902]
[Federal Register: September 28, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Mobile
River Basin Aquatic Ecosystem 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 draft recovery plan for the Mobile
River Basin aquatic ecosystem, an area in Alabama with portions
extending into east Mississippi and northwest Georgia. This plan
specifically addresses the recovery objectives, criteria, and tasks for
1 fish (goldline darter, Percina aurolineata), 11 mussels (Alabama
moccasinshell, Medionidus acuitissiumus; orange-nacre mucket, Lampsilis
perovalis; fine-line pocketbook, Lampsilis altilis; southern
acornshell, Epioblasma othcaloogensis; uplan combshell, Epioblasma
metastriata; Coosa moccasinshell, Medionidus parvulus; ovate clubshell,
Pleurobema perovatum; southern clubshell, Pleurobema decisum; dark
pigtoe, Pleurobema furvum; southern pigtoe, Pleurobema georgianum;
triangular kidneyshell, Ptychobrachus greenii), and 1 aquatic snail
(Tulotoma magnifica). Additionally, it complements recovery plans
previously developed for another 17 listed aquatic species within the
Mobile River Basin. 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 December 1, 1994, to receive consideration by the Service.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain
a copy by contacting the Jackson Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A, Jackson, Mississippi
39213. 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:
Paul Hartfield at the above address (601/965-4900, ext. 25).
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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife 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 conservation of the species, establish
criteria for 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 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) 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 species considered in this draft recovery plan are the goldline
darter (Percina aurolineata), Alabama moccasinshell (Medionidus
acutissimus), orange-nacre mucket (Lampsilis perovalis), fine-lined
pocketbook (Lampsilis altilis), southern acornshell (Epioblasma
othcaloogensis), upland combshell (Epioblasma metastriata), Coosa
moccasinshell (Medionidus parvulus), ovate clubshell (Pleurobema
perovatum), southern clubshell (Pleurobema decisum), dark pigtoe
(Pleurobema furvum), southern pigtoe (Pleurobema georgianum),
triangular kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus greeni), and the tulotoma snail
(Tulotoma magnifica). The goldline darter was listed as threatened in
1992 due to a suspected decline in historic range, population
fragmentation and isolation, and existing threats to extant populations
due to water quality degradation. In 1993, eight of the 11 mussels were
listed as endangered, and three as threatened due to habitat loss and
fragmentation resulting from impoundment and their vulnerability to
existing sources of habitat and water quality degradation. The tulotoma
snail was listed as endangered in 1991 due to the loss of more than 90
percent of its historic habitat, and the isolation and vulnerability of
surviving populations.
The recovery objective of the draft plan is to protect the Basin's
native aquatic fauna and flora by achieving ecosystem stabilization.
Specific recovery objectives include reclassification and eventual
delisting of the tulotoma snail; delisting of the goldline darter; and
preventing the extinction of the eight endangered mussels and the
continued decline of the three threatened mussels. Actions needed for
ecosystem stabilization will require protection of habitat integrity
and water quality by full and appropriate implementation of Federal and
State regulatory authorities; development and implementation of Best
Management Practices and Water Quality Plans for construction,
agriculture, urban, and suburban activities that affect aquatic
ecosystems; development and implementation of Drainage Management Plans
that address problems specific to drainages occupied by listed species;
development, funding, and implementation of programs that educate and
directly involve the general public in ecosystem recovery; and basic
research on life history, ecology, anatomy, taxonomy, contaminant
sensitivities, and propagation technology of listed and candidate
species.
This Plan is being submitted for technical/agency review. After
consideration of comments received during the review period, it will be
submitted for final approval.
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 plan.
Authority
The authority for this action is Section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
Dated: September 21, 1994.
Robert Bowker,
Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-23902 Filed 9-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
