[Federal Register: November 23, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 226)]
[Notices]
[Page 58748]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23no01-65]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Reopening of Public Comment on Draft Recovery Goals for Four
Endangered Fishes of the Colorado River Basin
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of reopening of public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice of the
reopening of the public comment period on the Draft Recovery Goals for
the Four Endangered Fishes of the Colorado River Basin. The initial
public comment period opened September 10, 2001, and closed October 25,
2001. To accommodate several requests for extension, the Service is
reopening the comment period for an additional 15 days. Copies of the
Draft Recovery Goals are available (in *.pdf format) for viewing and
downloading at: http://www.r6.fws.gov/crrip/rg.htm, or from the Upper
Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (see Addresses
section). The Service is seeking comments or suggestions from the
public, other concerned government agencies, the scientific community,
or any other interested parties concerning the Draft Recovery Goals.
Make requests and mail comments to the Director at the address below.
Comments already submitted on the Draft Recovery Goals need not be
resubmitted as they will be fully considered.
DATES: The reopen comment period closes December 10, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials concerning this proposal
should be sent to Dr. Robert Muth, Director, Upper Colorado Endangered
Fish Recovery Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Post Office Box
25486, DFC, Denver, Colorado, 80225. You may submit comments by sending
electronic mail (e-mail) to: colorivgoals@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robert Muth, Director (extension
268), Dr. Thomas Czapla (extension 228) or Debbie Felker (extension
227), Coordinators (see ADDRESSES above), at telephone (303) 969-7322.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To further the recovery of humpback chub
(Gila cypha), bonytail (Gila elegans), Colorado pikeminnow (formerly
named Colorado squawfish; Ptchocheilus lucius), and razorback sucker
(Xyrauchen texanus), the Service announced on September 10, 2001, the
availability of the Draft Recovery Goals for these endangered fishes of
the Colorado River Basin and a 45-day comment period. These goals will
serve as a supplement and amendment to the respective recovery plans
for each species. We solicit review and comments from agencies and the
public on these Draft Recovery Goals.
The purpose of these supplements and amendments are to describe
site-specific management actions/tasks needed to minimize or remove
threats; provide objective, measurable recovery criteria for
downlisting and delisting that identify levels of demongraphic and
genetic viability needed for self-sustaining populations; and provide
estimates of the time required to achieve recovery of each of the four
endangered fish species. Downlisting and delisting criteria by listing
factors and management actions, as well as demographic criteria, are
presented for populations of each species within recovery units. In
addition, updated life-history information and statistical criteria for
monitoring are identified. The recovery goals for the humpback chub,
razorback sucker and bonytail are identified by two recovery units,
upper basin (above Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona) and lower basin. Recovery
of the Colorado pikeminnow is currently considered only for the upper
basin.
Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
John A. Blankenship,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 01-29220 Filed 11-21-01; 8:45 am]
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