# Notice of Availability of a Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Okaloosa Darter for Review and Comment > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-21430 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** August 13, 1997 - **Citation:** 62 FR 43342 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of a Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Okaloosa Darter for Review and Comment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior ACTION: Notice of document availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to extend the public comment period for review of the draft revised recovery plan for the Okaloosa darter. This endangered fish occurs in six stream systems flowing from Eglin Air Force Base through or near the cities of Niceville and Valparaiso into Boggy and Rocky bayous on Choctawhatchee Bay, in Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Florida. During the previous comment period (June 10, 1997-August 8, 1997)) agencies significantly involved in the recovery of the Okaloosa darter were concerned that they would be unable to provide their comments within the comment period. DATES: Comments on the draft revised recovery plan must be received on or before August 30, 1997, to receive consideration by the Service. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft revised recovery plan may examine a copy at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Panama City Field Office, 1612 June Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32405, between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM Central Time; or may obtain a copy by contacting Frank Parauka, Panama City Field Office, 850/769-0552 ext. 237. Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to Frank Parauka at the Panama City Field Office. Comments and materials received are available on request for public inspection, by appointment, during the previously stated hours at the Panama City Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Parauka, at the Panama City Field Office address given above, at 850/769-0552, ext. 237, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem 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 of the listed species native to the United States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria for the recovery levels for downlisting or delisting them, and estimate the time and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (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. The draft revised recovery plan for the Okaloosa darter updates the original 1981 plan. The Service listed this species in 1973 due to its extreme limited range, habitat degradation, and apparent competition from a possibly introduced related species, the brown darter. Studies recommended in the original plan have been completed. Eglin Air Force Base is implementing habitat conservation measures, and plans to implement others. Okaloosa darter populations have apparently stabilized. Downlisting this species from endangered to threatened could be considered in the near future if Okaloosa darter populations in all six inhabited stream systems remain stable or increase, and if effective interagency agreements are established to protect the quality and quantity of water in these streams. Inhabited streams are the main stems and tributaries of Toms, Turkey, Mill, Swift, East Turkey, and Rocky creeks. The watersheds of these streams, located on Eglin Air Force Base and in the cities of Niceville and Valparaiso, are also in the planning area. Comments received during the review period will be used as appropriate for developing a final revised recovery plan. The Panama City Field Office will then forward the final plan to the Service's Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia, for approval. Public Comments Solicited The Service solicits written comments on the draft revised recovery plan described. All comments received by the date specified above 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: August 7, 1997. Bryan Arroyo, Acting Field Supervisor. [FR Doc. 97-21430 Filed 8-12-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-21430. Public record. Not legal advice.