Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for Endangered Fat Threeridge (Amblema neislerii), Shinyrayed Pocketbook (Lampsilis subangulata), Gulf Moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus), Ochlockonee Moccasin- shell (Medionidus simpsonianus), Oval Pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme) and Threatened Chipola Slabshell (Elliptio chipolaensis), and Purple Bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus) for Review and Comment

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan

for Endangered Fat Threeridge (Amblema neislerii), Shinyrayed

Pocketbook (Lampsilis subangulata), Gulf Moccasinshell (Medionidus

penicillatus), Ochlockonee Moccasin- shell (Medionidus simpsonianus),

Oval Pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme) and Threatened Chipola Slabshell

(Elliptio chipolaensis), and Purple Bankclimber (Elliptoideus

sloatianus) for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability

for public review of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for

endangered fat threeridge (Amblema neislerii), shinyrayed pocketbook

(Lampsilis subangulata), Gulf moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus),

Ochlockonee moccasinshell (Medionidus simpsonianus), oval pigtoe

(Pleurobema pyriforme) and threatened Chipola slabshell (Elliptio

chipolaensis), and purple bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus). These

mussels are endemic to eastern Gulf Slope streams draining the

Apalachicola Region of southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and north

Florida. Their center of distribution is the Apalachicola-

Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River basin of southeast Alabama, southwest

Georgia, and northwest Florida. They are currently known from

restricted portions of from one to four independent river systems.

These species inhabit stable sandy and gravelly substrates in medium-

sized streams to large rivers, often in areas swept free of silt by the

current. The abundance and distributions of the seven mussel species

decreased historically from habitat loss associated with reservoir

construction, channel construction and maintenance, and erosion. These

habitat changes have resulted in significant extirpations (localized

loss of populations), restricted and fragmented distributions, and poor

recruitment of young. We solicit review and comment from the public on

this draft plan.

DATES: We must receive comments on the draft recovery plan on or before

November 15, 1999 to receive consideration by us.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the draft recovery plan by

contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Panama City Field

Office, 1612 June Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32405 (telephone 850/

769-0552). Send written comments and materials regarding the plan to

the Project Leader at the above address. Comments and materials

received are available on request for public inspection, by

appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Gail A. Carmody at the above

address and telephone number (extension 225).

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 our endangered species program. To help

guide the recovery effort, we are 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 recognizing the recovery levels for downlisting

or delisting them, and estimate time and cost for implementing the

recovery measures needed.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et

seq.) (Act), 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 a public notice and an opportunity for public review and

comment be provided during recovery plan development. We will consider

all information presented during a public comment period prior to

approval of each new or revised recovery plan. We and other Federal

agencies will also take these comments into account in the course of

implementing approved recovery plans.

Despite intensive research and management efforts, the survival of

these mussels is still perilous. Based upon available information

concerning their range, biology, and threats to their continued

survival, it is not yet possible to determine if or when full recovery

of these species is possible. This draft recovery plan outlines a

mechanism that provides for the protection, maintenance, and

enhancement of the only known wild populations and the establishment of

new wild populations in the future. We officially determined endangered

status for five freshwater mussels, and threatened status for two

freshwater mussels from eastern Gulf Slope drainage of Alabama,

Florida, and Georgia in Final rule of Federal Register 63(50):12664-

12687. The eastern Gulf Slope streams draining the Apalachicola Region

are defined as streams from the Escambia to the Suwannee River systems.

Occurring in southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and north Florida,

they collectively form one of the largest drainage areas in the eastern

Gulf Coastal Plain. Historically, these rivers were known for their

rich freshwater mussel populations. However, listed mussel species have

undergone significant reduction in total range and abundance. We will

use comments and information provided during this review in preparing

the final recovery plan.

Public Comments Solicited

We solicit written comments on the recovery plan described. We will

consider all comments received by the date specified above 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 10, 1999.

Gail A. Carmody,

Project Leader.

[FR Doc. 99-24146 Filed 9-15-99; 8:45 am]

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