ETWP; Proposed Rule to List the Illinois Cave Amphipod as Endangered

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes endangered status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the Illinois cave amphipod, Gammarus acherondytes, Historically, the amphipod was known from six cave streams in Monroe and St. Clair counties, Illinois. Recent surveys have found the species at only three of the original six sites. This species is believed to be threatened primarily by groundwater pollution which is likely due to the application of pesticides in cave stream recharge areas (the area of land surface from which water drains into a particular cave stream). A possible secondary threat is contamination of subsurface water by human and animal wastes from sewage and septic systems and livestock feedlots.