ETWP; Proposed Rule To List the Devils River Minnow (Dionda didboli) as Endangered

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to list the Devils River minnow (Dionda diaboli) as an endangered species under authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). 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 possibly predation by smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), an introduced game fish. This proposal, if made final, will implement Federal protection provided by the Act for the Devils River minnow.