Notice of Availability of the Draft San Marcos and Comal Springs and Associated Aquatic Ecosystems (Revised) Recovery Plan for Public Review and Comment

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Availability of the Draft San Marcos and Comal Springs

and Associated Aquatic Ecosystems (Revised) Recovery Plan for Public

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 the Draft San Marcos and Comal

Springs and Associated Aquatic Ecosystems (Revised) Recovery Plan

(Draft Plan). This Draft Plan addresses four endangered species: the

San Marcos gambusia (Gambusia georgei), the fountain darter (Etheostoma

fonticola), Texas wild-rice (Zizania texana), and the Texas blind

salamander (Typhlomolge rathbuni); and one threatened species, the San

Marcos salamander (Eurycea nana). These species have a limited

distribution within the Comal ecosystem in Comal County, the San Marcos

ecosystem in Hays and part of Caldwell Counties and/or the Edwards

Aquifer. All five aquatic species depend on water from the underlying

Edwards Aquifer. The Service solicits review and comment from the

public on this Draft Plan.

DATES: Comments on the Draft Plan must be received on or before October

31, 1994, to assure consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the Draft Plan may obtain a copy

by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Supervisor,

Ecological Services Field Office, 611 E. Sixth Street, Room 407,

Austin, Texas 78701; (512) 482-5436.

Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be

addressed to the Supervisor at the above address. Comments and

materials received will be available for public inspection, by

appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alisa Shull, Listing and Recovery Coordinator, telephone (512) 482-5436

(see ADDRESSES above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Restoring endangered or threatened animals or 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 listed species

native to the Unites States. Recovery plans describe actions considered

necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria for

recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and estimate time

and cost for implementing recovery measures needed.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C.

1531 et seq.), requires development of recovery plans for listed

species unless such a plan would not promote 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 the 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.

This recovery plan addresses recovery needs of five species which

share a common habitat area by using an ecosystem approach that

addresses conservation of basic habitat features the organisms share.

The Draft Plan also addresses more localized or species specific

problems and needs.

The fountain darter was listed as endangered on October 13, 1970

(35 FR 16047) and critical habitat was designated on July 14, 1980 (45

FR 47355). The fountain darter is a small fish that inhabits both the

Comal and San Marcos ecosystems and was described by early collectors

to be abundant in both ecosystems. Fountain darters prefer constant

temperature and undisturbed stream floor habitats that have a mixture

of submergent plants and mats of filamentous algae.

The San Marcos gambusia was listed as endangered with critical

habitat on July 14, 1980 (45 FR 47355). This fish has only been known

to occur in a small segment of the San Marcos River and apparently

prefers relatively shallow, quiet, shaded, and thermally constant

waters over a muddy substrate. The San Marcos gambusia has not been

relocated since 1982, although several surveys have been made in its

historical habitat.

The San Marcos salamander was listed as threatened with critical

habitat on July 14, 1980 (45 FR 47355). It is a small salamander that

remains aquatic throughout its life cycle. The San Marcos salamander

occurs in rocky or sand and gravel areas with thermally constant,

flowing water near spring openings. Habitat for this salamander usually

includes aquatic mosses or filimentous algae that provide cover and

food. San Marcos salamanders have been found near all major spring

openings scattered throughout Spring Lake at headwaters of the San

Marcos River system, and extending into rocky habitat below Spring Lake

Dam.

Texas wild-rice is an aquatic plant that was listed as endangered

on April 26, 1978, (43 FR 17910) and critical habitat designated on

July 14, 1980 (45 FR 47355). This plant is only known from the San

Marcos River system where it was once abundant in Spring Lake and the

river. By 1967, the species had declined significantly in abundance and

distribution. Plants usually grow underwater except for emergent

flowering stalks, and are found in constant temperature, flowing water

of varying depths.

The Texas blind salamander was listed as endangered on March 11,

1967 (32 FR 4001). It is a small aquatic, unpigmented salamander with

reduced eyes that are cave-adapted. The Texas blind salamander's

habitat is in water-filled cavernous areas in the San Marcos portion of

the Edward's Aquifer. The species has been collected and studied

through collections and observations made from caves with pools that

access the underground water table, and from well samples.

The most imminent threat facing the five listed aquatic species is

loss of stream flows and/or water levels in the Edward's Aquifer

necessary to sustain the Edward's Aquifer and associated stream

ecosystems. The species are also threatened by pollution from runoff or

discharges associated with urbanization of surrounding areas.

Additional threats include impacts from recreational activities,

predation, and habitat destruction or modification caused by human

activities.

The objective of the Draft Plan is to secure the survival of these

endangered or threatened species in their native ecosystems.

Downlisting criteria are given in the plan for two of the five species.

The Draft Plan addresses broad regional threats to ecosystem integrity

as well as local threats to each species.

Regional recovery efforts outlined in the Draft Plan include

protection of the Edward's Aquifer, the San Marcos springs and river

ecosystem, and the Comal springs and river ecosystem. The Draft Plan

addresses need for a mechanism to manage groundwater withdrawals in

order to assure continued springflows, and identification and

management of existing or potential impacts to water quality in the

Edwards Aquifer and the Comal and San Marcos River ecosystems.

To address more local threats, the Draft Plan recommends

development of local spring and river management plans, control of non-

native species, and cooperative work with local landowners and water

users to alleviate threats to the affected species and their habitat.

Other recovery efforts outlined include developing propagation

techniques and maintaining a broodstock that represents genetics of

existing wild populations. The Draft Plan includes tasks to continue

monitoring the status of all five species and their habitats, research

to determine the biological and ecological requirements of each

species, studies to evaluate threats and develop management techniques

of each species, and inform the public of significance of these

ecosystems to maintaining the Region's economy and quality of life for

all.

Public Comments Solicited

The Service solicits written comments on the draft recovery plan

described. All comments received by the date specified above will be

considered prior to approval of the plan.

Author

The primary author of this notice is Kathryn Kennedy, Botanist,

telephone (512) 482-5436 (see ADDRESSES above).

Authority

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

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

Dated: August 2, 1994.

Lynn B. Starnes,

Acting Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 94-19436 Filed 8-9-94; 8:45 am]

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