Federal Register: March 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 43)NoticesPage 10716-10717From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr05mr99-86

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Availability of Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Gila topminnow for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability for public review of a draft revised recovery plan for the Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis occidentalis). This endangered species now occurs in the Gila River basin of Arizona and Mexico. Only the U.S. portion of the range is protected under the Endangered Species Act. Historical records exist for the Gila River basin in New Mexico. The Service solicits comments from the public on the draft revised recovery plan.

In 1967 the Gila (Sonoran) topminnow was listed as endangered within the United States, under the Endangered Species Protection Act of 1966 (USDI 1967). Following passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1969, the Gila (Sonoran) topminnow was included on Appendix D, the list of species endangered within the United States (USDI 1970).

DATES: Written comments on the recovery plan should be received on or before April 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review recovery plan may obtain a copy by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021, (602-640-2720; Fax 602-640-2730), or the person named below. Written data or comments concerning the recovery plan should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona (see address above). Comments and materials are available on request for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Duncan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tucson Sub-office, 300 West Congress, Room 4D, Tucson, AZ 85701 (520-670-4860; Fax 520-670-4567).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Restoring threatened and endangered animals or plants where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystem is a primary goal of the Service's endangered species program. The purpose of a recovery plan is to guide the recovery of a listed species. The 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 actions needed.

The Endangered Species Act (Act) requires development of recovery plans for listed species unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of that species. The Act also requires that public notice and an opportunity for public review 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 Sonoran topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis), includes two subspecies, the Gila topminnow (P. o. occidentalis) and the Yaqui topminnow (P. o. occidentalis). Recovery of the Yaqui topminnow is covered by the Yaqui Fishes Recovery Plan. The Gila topminnow is native to the Gila River Basin of the United States and Mexico, and the Rios de la Concepcion and Sonora of northern Mexico. It was considered one of the most common fishes in the southern part of the Colorado River basin prior to 1940. However, habitat loss and interaction with nonnative fishes, particularly western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) caused range-wide disappearances and decreases in abundance within the United States.

Gila topminnows were historically widespread in the Gila River drainage below about 4,000 feet elevation. The subspecies was found in the San Francisco River at Frisco Hot Springs, New Mexico, west to the mainstem Gila River near Yuma, Arizona, and possibly even into the lower Colorado River. The fish thrived in the Salt River as far upstream as the present site of Roosevelt Lake and was also common in Tonto Creek. Although there are no museum specimens from the Verde or San Simon rivers, Gila topminnows likely occurred there. Two collections are known from the San Pedro River. Records of Gila

[Page 10717]topminnow are also known from the Santa Cruz River. Various tributary streams and springs, most notably Sonoita Creek, Cienega Creek, and Sabino Canyon, also historically supported Gila topminnows.

Habitat destruction and introduction of nonnative species have caused severe reductions of Gila topminnow populations, and are the main causes for its listing as an endangered species. Past and current threats to the Gila topminnow and its habitat include dams, water diversion, watershed deterioration, channelization, livestock overgrazing, and introduction of nonnative competitive and predatory aquatic species. The western mosquitofish has proved to be especially detrimental to Gila topminnow populations.

Since being federally listed in 1967, the Gila topminnow has been reestablished into more locations than any native fish in the Southwest. However, both naturally occurring and reestablished populations continue to decline. The recovery plan details the Gila topminnow recovery effort, acquaints the reader with the subspecies and its status, the threats it faces, and provides a revised plan for its survival and recovery in the United States.

The draft revised recovery plan has been extensively reviewed the last five years by agencies, species experts, and the Desert Fishes Recovery Team. The plan will be published as final following incorporation of comments and material received during this comment period.

Public Comments Solicited: The Service solicits comments on the draft revised recovery plan described. All comments received by the date specified above will be considered prior to approval of the plans.

Authority: The Authority for this action is Section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533 (f).

Dated: February 26, 1999. Thomas Bauer, Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

FR Doc. 99-5427Filed3-4-99; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4310-55-P