[Federal Register: March 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 43)]
[Notices]
[Page 10716-10717]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr99-86]
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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.
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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. 99-5427 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]
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