The sharpnose shiner and smalleye shiner – two minnows native to the arid prairie streams of Texas – are in danger of extinction, and are being listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. Along with the final listing decision, the Service is also designating approximately 623 miles of the Upper Brazos River Basin and the upland areas extending beyond the river channel by 98 feet on each side as critical habitat for the two fish in the Texas counties of Baylor, Crosby, Fisher, Garza, Haskell, Kent, King, Knox, Stonewall, Throckmorton and Young. The two shiner species have been candidate species since 2002.
The final rules publish in the Federal Register on August 4, 2014, and become effective 30 days after publication. More information is available online atwww.fws.gov/southwest/es/ArlingtonTexas/Shiner.htm or by contacting Debra Bills, Field Supervisor, Arlington Ecological Services Field Office, 2005 Northeast Green Oaks Blvd, Suite 140, Arlington, TX, 76006; telephone 817-277-1100. Those who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.
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Federal Register Notice CH
Federal Register Notice Listing
The sharpnose shiner and smalleye shiner – two minnows native to the arid prairie streams of Texas
– are in danger of extinction, and are being listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. Along with the final listing decision, the Service is also
designating approximately 623 miles of the Upper Brazos River Basin and the upland areas
extending beyond the river channel by 98 feet on each side as critical habitat for the two fish in the
Texas counties of Baylor, Crosby, Fisher, Garza, Haskell, Kent, King, Knox, Stonewall,
Throckmorton and Young. The two shiner species have been candidate species since 2002.
Once found throughout the Brazos River and several of its major tributaries within the watershed,
the shiners are currently restricted almost entirely to the contiguous river segments of the Upper
Brazos River Basin in north-central Texas. This represents a reduction of the smalleye and
sharpnose shiners’ historical ranges of more than 50 and 70 percent, respectively.
“We carefully considered the comments received from peer reviewers and the public on the shiner
proposals, and our decisions reflect the best available science,” said Michelle Shaughnessy,
Assistant Regional Director for Ecological Services in the agency’s Southwest Region. “The
Service is committed to continuing to work with the local communities, landowners and water
management districts to conserve the shiners and the Brazos River. A healthy Brazos River benefits
not only the species, but also helps to ensure the continued vitality and way of life for the
communities that are dependent upon it.”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
News Release Public Affairs Office
PO Box 1306
Albuquerque, NM 87103
505/248-6911
505/248-6915 (Fax)The two primary factors affecting the status of shiners are river fragmentation and alterations of the
natural stream flow regime (caused by dams, groundwater withdrawal, saltcedar encroachment and
drought). Other factors, such as water quality degradation and commercial harvesting for fish bait,
likely also impact these species, but to a lesser degree. These multiple factors act together to lower
the overall viability of the species.
The shiners are short-lived, with a maximum lifespan of approximately three years (although many
live through only one breeding season), and both species require wide, shallow, unobstructed
flowing waters to survive, grow and reproduce.
Critical habitat is a term in the ESA that identifies geographic areas containing features essential for
the conservation of a threatened or endangered species, and which may require special management
considerations or protection. Designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership or
establish a refuge or preserve, and has no impact on private landowners taking actions on their land
that do not require federal funding or permits.
The final rules will publish in the Federal Register on August 4, 2014, and become effective 30
days after publication. More information is available online at
www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ArlingtonTexas/Shiner.htm or by contacting Debra Bills, Field
Supervisor, Arlington Ecological Services Field Office, 2005 Northeast Green Oaks Blvd, Suite
140, Arlington, TX, 76006; telephone 817-277-1100. Those who use a telecommunications device
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.
