The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today opened a public comment period to update information on the status of the Chihuahua chub, a fish that has protected since 1983 under the Endangered Species Act. The reviews ensure species are accurately classified as threatened or endangered. The chub is found in deep pools of the Mimbres River in New Mexico.
The ESA requires the Service to review the status of listed species every five years. While the Service has continued to use the best available information under its ESA responsibilities for the Chihuahua chub, a formal review is overdue.
"This is an opportunity for the scientific community and the public to actively engage in the evaluation of the status of our nations threatened and endangered species," said Benjamin N. Tuggle, Ph.D., the Services Southwest Regional Director.
The review will ensure that the listing of Chihuahua chub as threatened under the Endangered Species Act is still accurate. Threatened means any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
The Service is asking the public to provide any new information concerning the status of these species including biology, habitat, conservation measures, threats, and any other new data or information. In order for new information to be considered, it should be supported by documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, methods used to gather and analyze data, and copies of pertinent publications, reports, or letters by knowledgeable sources.
The 5 year-review will specifically assess whether:
new information suggests that the species population is increasing, declining or stable;
existing threats are increasing, stable, reduced or eliminated;
there are any new threats; and
new information or analysis calls into question any of the conclusions in the original listing determination as to the species status.
If new information determines that the present classification of the species is inaccurate, the Service may propose to change the chubs threatened listing status. Any change in Federal classification requires a separate rule-making process distinct from the status review with an opportunity for further public input.
To review the request for information, go to: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Mexico/ or contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113. The office phone number is 505-346-2525.
Information may be sent to the same address or sent via email to marilyn_myers@fws.gov">. Please send information by Dec. 20 order to be considered for this review.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 97-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 547 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 fish, wildlife management offices, and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit http://www.fws.gov/southwest/
