Notice of Availability of an Agency Draft Recovery Plan for the Endangered Fat Threeridge (Amblema neislerii), Shinyrayed Pocketbook Lampsilis subangulata), Gulf Moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus), Ochlockonee Moccasinshell (Medionidus simpsonianus

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the agency draft recovery plan for seven freshwater mussels--the endangered fat threeridge (Amblema neislerii), shinyrayed pocketbook (Lampsilis subangulata), Gulf moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus), Ochlockonee moccasinshell (Medionidus simpsonianus), and oval pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme), and the threatened Chipola slabshell (Elliptio chipolaensis) and purple bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus). These species are endemic to several river basins (Apalachicola- Chattahoochee-Flint, Ochlockonee, Suwannee, and Econfina Creek) in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Recent research has greatly increased our understanding of the ecology of these species. The agency draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria to be met in order to downlist these mussels to threatened status or delist them under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) as amended (Act). We solicit review and comment on this agency draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies and the public.