ETWP; Proposed Establishment of Nonessential Experimental Population Status for 4 Fishes Into the Tellico River, From the Backwaters of Tellico Reservoir Upstream to Tellico River Mile 33, in Monroe County, Tennessee

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reintroduce two federally listed endangered fishes--the duskytail darter (Etheostoma percnurum) and smoky madtom (Noturus baileyi)--and two federally listed threatened fishes--the yellowfin madtom (Noturus flavipinnis) and spotfin chub (=turquoise shiner) (Cyprinella (=Hybopsis) monacha)--into the Tellico River, between the backwaters of the Tellico Reservoir (approximately Tellico River mile (TRM) 19 (30.4 kilometers (km))) and TRM 33 (52.8 km), near the Tellico Ranger Station, in Monroe County, Tennessee. These populations would be established as nonessential experimental populations (NEPs) in accordance with section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This area is identified as the proposed NEP Area. We would manage these populations under provisions of this special rule.