Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Establishment of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Rio Grande Silvery Minnow in the Big Bend Reach of the Rio Grande in Texas

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in cooperation with the National Park Service and the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, will reestablish the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus), a federally-listed endangered fish, into its historical habitat in the Big Bend reach of the Rio Grande in Presidio, Brewster, and Terrell Counties, Texas. We are reestablishing the Rio Grande silvery minnow under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), and are classifying it as a nonessential experimental population (NEP). On the Rio Grande, the geographic boundaries of the NEP extend from Little Box Canyon downstream of Fort Quitman, Hudspeth County, Texas, through Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, to Amistad Dam (Big Bend reach of the Rio Grande), Val Verde County, Texas. On the Pecos River, the geographic boundaries of the NEP extend from the river's confluence with Independence Creek to its confluence with the Rio Grande. This action is part of the recovery actions that the Service, Federal and State agencies, and other partners are conducting throughout the historic range of the species. This final rule establishes the NEP and provides for limited allowable legal taking of Rio Grande silvery minnows within the defined NEP area. An Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact have been prepared for this action (see ADDRESSES section below).