Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of Gila Chub From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Gila chub (Gila intermedia) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Our review indicates that, based on the best scientific and commercial data available, the Gila chub is not a valid taxonomic entity and does not meet the definition of a species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Accordingly, we propose to delist the Gila chub. If we finalize this rule as proposed, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 7 and 9, would no longer apply to the Gila chub.