Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Railroad Valley Springfish (Crenichthys nevadae) for Review and Comment

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Railroad Valley

Springfish (Crenichthys nevadae) for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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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

threatened Railroad Valley springfish, Crenichthys nevadae. This

species is endemic to six thermal springs in Railroad Valley, Nye

County, Nevada, and has been introduced into four other springs in

Nevada. 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 August 22, 1994 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain

a copy by contacting the State Supervisor, Nevada Ecological Services

State Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4600 Kietzke Lane,

Building C-125, Reno, Nevada, 89502 (telephone: 702-784-5227), or the

Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Eastside Federal Complex, 911 NE 11th Avenue,

Portland, Oregon, 97232-4181 (telephone: 503-231-6131). Written

comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to Mr.

David L. Harlow, State Supervisor, at the above Reno, Nevada address.

Comments and materials received are available on request for public

inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above

Reno, Nevada address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Donna Withers at the above Reno, Nevada address (telephone: 702-

784-5227).

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

(Service) 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,

establish criteria for reclassification or delisting, 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 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.

Railroad Valley springfish are endemic to two springs at Duckwater

and four springs at Lockes, Railroad Valley, Nye County, Nevada. The

species has been introduced into four additional springs in Nevada

outside the species' historical range. Railroad Valley springfish are

extant in all historical habitats and three introduction habitats.

Populations vary from fewer than one hundred to several thousand

individuals. The principle causes of decline for this species are

habitat modification and nonnative fish introductions. All historical

habitats are designated critical habitat for this species. Railroad

Valley springfish occupy habitats on private, Federal, and Indian

Reservation lands. Recovery of this species will require removal and/or

control of nonnative fishes, restoration and protection of occupied

habitats, and protection of ground water sources.

Public Comments Solicited

The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan

described. All comments received by the date specified will be

considered prior to approval of the plan.

Author

The author of this notice is Donna Withers (see the Reno, Nevada

address above).

Authority

The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered

Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

Dated: June 15, 1994.

Don Weathers,

Acting Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 94-15123 Filed 6-21-94; 8:45 am]

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