[Federal Register: May 14, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 93)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 26764-26765] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr14my98-19] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AE86 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Endangered Status for Devils River Minnow (Dionda diaboli) AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of public hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) gives notice that a public hearing will be held on the proposed determination of endangered status for the Devils River minnow (Dionda diaboli). This fish is found in [[Page 26765]] Val Verde and Kinney counties, Texas, and Coahuila, Mexico. All interested parties are invited to submit comments on this proposal. DATES: The public hearing will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 28, 1998, in Del Rio, Texas. The comment period closes July 27, 1998. ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the Freshmen School Cafeteria of the San Felipe-Del Rio Independent School District, located at 90 Memorial Drive in Del Rio, Texas. Written comments and materials concerning the proposal should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas, 78758. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan Allan, Fish and Wildlife Biologist (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 512/490-0057; facsimile 512/490-0974). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The current range of the Devils River minnow is limited to three stream systems in Val Verde and Kinney counties, Texas, and one drainage in Coahuila, Mexico. The species' range has been significantly contracted and fragmented. In addition, the numbers of Devils River minnows collected during fish surveys has declined dramatically over the past 25 years; the species has declined from one of the most abundant fish to one of the least abundant. Based on the current information, the decline of the species in both distribution and abundance may be attributed in large part to the effects of habitat loss and modification and the introduction of nonnative fish into habitats of the Devils River minnow. On March 27, 1998, the Service published a proposed rule to list the Devils River minnow as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. Section 4(b)(5)(E) of the Act requires that a public hearing be held if requested within 45 days of the proposal's publication in the Federal Register. Because of the past public interest in the listing of this species, the Service opened the public comment period for 120 days and planned the public hearing in advance of a request. The Service has scheduled this hearing for 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 28, 1998, at the Freshmen School Cafeteria of the San Felipe-Del Rio Independent School District, located at 90 Memorial Drive in Del Rio, Texas. Anyone wishing to make an oral statement for the record is encouraged to provide a written copy of their statement to be presented to the Service at the start of the hearing. In the event there is a large attendance, the time allotted for oral statements may have to be limited. Oral and written statements receive equal consideration. There are no limits on the length of written comments presented at this hearing or mailed to the Service. Legal notices announcing the date, time and location of the hearing are being published in newspapers concurrently with this Federal Register notice. The comment period on the proposal will remain open until July 27, 1998. Written comments may be submitted until that date to the Service office in the ADDRESSES section. Author The primary author of this notice is Nathan Allan (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 512/490-0057; facsimile 512/490-0974). Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: May 7, 1998. Nancy M. Kaufman, Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 98-12839 Filed 5-13-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P