Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Aquatic and Riparian Species of Pahranagat Valley for Review and Comment

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Aquatic and

Riparian Species of Pahranagat Valley 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 aquatic

and riparian species of Pahranagat Valley. This plan undertakes an

ecosystem approach by discussing the recovery needs of three native,

endangered fish species. The Service solicits review and

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comment from the public on this draft plan.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or

before November 13, 1995 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: 503-231-6241). 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. Stephanie Byers 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.

Three native, endangered fish species are endemic to the Pahranagat

Valley in Lincoln County, Nevada. The Pahranagat roundtail chub is

found in only 12 km of the Pahranagat River. The White River springfish

is found only in the spring pool of Ash Spring. The Hiko White River

springfish is found in the spring pools of Hiko and Crystal Springs.

Populations of Pahranagat roundtail chub vary between 150 to 250 adult

fish. The White River springfish population is stable with

approximately 7000 fish. The Hiko White River springfish population is

critically low (<35) in Crystal Spring and more common (approximately

5500 fish) in Hiko Spring. The principle causes of decline for these

species are habitat modification and nonnative fish introductions.

Critical habitat has been designated for the two subspecies of

springfish. Ninety-five percent of the habitats occupied by these

species are on private 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.

Authority

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

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

Dated: September 1, 1995.

Michael J. Spear,

Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 95-22587 Filed 9-11-95; 8:45 am]

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