Comment on FR Doc # 2010-22251

As a citizen of the State of Arkansas, I am requesting that USFW grant Inclusion of the Hellbender, including Eastern Hellbender and Ozark Hellbender (Document ID FWS-R9-IA-2009-0033-0001 in Appendix III of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The decline of this species in Arkansas is especially noted in the Spring River population that has vanished in the last 10 years. In the early 1980's there were 370 individuals in a 4.4 mile section of the river and only 12 individuals in the last three year survey. Further, with the presence of the chytrid fungus and continued sediment loading in sections of some rivers, populations will be further negatively impacted by these two factors alone. With so few animals remaining, the status and protections afforded by Appendix III of CITES might help to halt the decline.