Reopening of the Comment Period for the Draft Recovery Plan for the Aquatic and Riparian Species of Pahranagat Valley

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

Reopening of the Comment Period for the Draft Recovery Plan for

the Aquatic and Riparian Species of Pahranagat Valley

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the

reopening of the comment period 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 any

additional review and comment from the public on this draft plan.

DATES: Additional comments on the draft recovery received by November

5, 1997 will be considered by the Service.

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

a copy by contacting the Acting State Supervisor, Nevada State Office,

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4600 Kietzke Lane, Suite 125C, Reno,

Nevada 89502 (telephone: 702-784-5227), or the Assistant Regional

Director, Klamath and California Ecoregions, 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. Chester C. Buchanan,

Acting 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 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

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 participation plans developed with all affected

parties and interests.

On May 28, 1997, the Service received a letter from the County

Commissioners of Lincoln County, Nevada, requesting the extended

comment period. The Service appreciates the assistance of the

Commissioners and therefore reopens the comment period on this plan.

After completing the plan, the Service will continue to work with the

Commissioners and other local parties in the implementation of the

recovery plan.

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 7,000 fish. The Hiko White River springfish population is

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

5,500 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 these species will require

removal and/or control of nonnative fishes, and restoration and

protection of occupied habitats developed in cooperation with local

landowners.

Public Comments Solicited

The Service solicits any and all additional 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 Act, 16

U.S.C. 1533(f).

Dated: July 30, 1997.

David L. McMullen,

Acting Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 97-20783 Filed 8-6-97; 8:45 am]

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