Designation of Critical Habitat for the Spikedace and Loachminnow

About the Document

Title:  Proposed Rule to Designate Critical Habitat for the Spikedace (Meda fulgida) and the Loach Minnow (Tiaroga cobitis).

Purpose: The purpose of the proposed rule is to develop a proposal for areas to be included within a critical habitat designation for spikedace and loach minnow, in accordance with section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).  The proposed rule contains descriptions of the life history of both species, threats to both species, primary constituent elements (PCEs) for both species, and areas proposed for inclusion in critical habitat designation.

Estimated Dissemination Date:  We anticipate that the final rule to designate critical habitat for the spikedace and loach minnow will be published during September 2006.

About the Peer Review Process

Type of Peer Review and Reviewer Selection Method/Expertise of Reviewers:  The Arizona Ecological Services Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) developed a list of 13 peer reviewers from universities and agencies, including researchers, managers, and species experts.  Peer reviewers were selected based on their knowledge of conservation biology, native fish conservation, ecology and natural history of spikedace and loach minnow, essential habitat components of spikedace and loach minnow, threats to spikedace and loach minnow, key areas in the distribution of spikedace and loach minnow, and native/non-native aquatic organism interactions. Copies of the proposed rule were provided to peer reviewers for their review and comment during the first comment period on the proposed rule.

Estimated Start Date of Peer Review: The peer review was conducted concurrently with public review of the proposed rule (December 20, 2005 – February 21, 2006).  Peer reviewers were asked to conduct separate, independent written reviews, which will be submitted to the Service as part of the public review process for the proposed rule.

About Public Participation

A public comment period for the draft proposed rule was held from December 20, 2005, to February 21, 2006.  A second public review period was opened from June 6 to July 6, 2006.  The availability of the rule was announced through the Federal Register, news releases, mailings, and through Service websites with solicitations for public comment.  An outreach plan was developed to provide ample opportunity for public involvement in the review process.  Public hearings were held in Camp Verde, Arizona, on June 13, 2006, and Silver City, New Mexico, on June 20, 2006.  The public was not asked to nominate peer reviewers.

Contact: Mary Richardson at 602-242-0210 or send a email message to Mary_Richardson@fws.gov

The proposed rule is available through the species’ profile for both spikedace and loach minnow by entering the species’ name in the Search Species box on the Service’s website at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/wildlife.html

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