[Federal Register: December 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 237)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 69323-69355]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10de99-19]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF76

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed 
Designation of Critical Habitat for the Spikedace and the Loach Minnow

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose 
designation of critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended (Act), for the spikedace (Meda fulgida) and the 
loach minnow (Tiaroga = (Rhinichthys) cobitis). This proposal is made 
in response to a court order in Southwest Center for Biological 
Diversity v. Clark CIV 98-0769 M/JHG, directing us to complete 
designation of critical habitat for the spikedace and loach minnow by 
February 17, 2000.

    We are proposing as critical habitat a total of approximately 1,443 
kilometers (km) (894 miles (mi)) of rivers and creeks for the two 
species. The entire designation is proposed as critical habitat for the 
loach minnow, and approximately 1,325 km (822 mi) of those miles are 
also proposed as critical habitat for the spikedace. Proposed critical 
habitat includes portions of the Gila, San Francisco, Blue, Black, 
Verde, and San Pedro rivers, and some of their tributaries, in Apache, 
Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, and Yavapai Counties in 
Arizona; and Catron, Grant, and Hidalgo Counties in New Mexico.

    If this proposed rule is finalized, Federal agencies proposing 
actions that may affect the areas designated as critical habitat must 
consult with us on the effects of the proposed actions, pursuant to 
section 7(a)(2) of the Act.

DATES: We will consider all comments on the rule, the draft Economic 
Analysis, and draft Environmental Assessment received from interested 
parties by January 14, 2000. We will hold public hearings in Thatcher, 
Arizona, and Silver City, New Mexico on December 15, 1999, and in Camp 
Verde, Arizona, on December 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: 1. Send your comments on the rule, the draft Economic 
Analysis, and draft Environmental Assessment to the Arizona Ecological 
Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 W. Royal Palm 
Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021.

    2. The complete file for this rule will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the Arizona 
Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 W. 
Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021.

    3. We will hold the Thatcher hearing at Eastern Arizona College 
Activity Center, Lee Little Theater, 1014 N. College Avenue, Thatcher, 
Arizona. We will hold the Silver City hearing at Western New Mexico 
University, White Hall Auditorium, 1000 College Street, Silver City, 
New Mexico. We will hold the Camp Verde hearing at the Camp Verde 
Unified Schools Multi-Use Complex Theater, 280 Camp Lincoln Road, Camp 
Verde, Arizona. We will start all hearings promptly at 7:00 p.m. and 
end them no later than 9:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Field Supervisor, Arizona Ecological 
Services Office, at the above address; telephone 602/640-2720, 
facsimile 602/640-2730.