The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it will initiate a review of the status of the mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in Idaho’s Big Lost River, to determine whether the population merits protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.
A 30-day public information solicitation period is being opened. All comments must be received by September 8, 2009.
The Western Watersheds Project first petitioned the Service to list the Big Lost River mountain whitefish in 2006. After reviewing the petition in 2007, the Service determined it did not present substantial information to indicate that listing was warranted. The Western Watersheds Project then filed a complaint in 2008 challenging the Service’s finding. In response to that lawsuit, the United States District Court in Boise, Idaho, directed the Service to conduct a status review of mountain whitefish in the Big Lost River and, within one year, issue a finding on whether the population should be protected as a threatened or endangered species. The court ordered the Service to make a final listing determination by March 31, 2010.
“We want to ensure the status review of the mountain whitefish in the Big Lost River is based on the best available scientific and commercial information,” said Jeff Foss, Idaho State Supervisor for the Service. “We are requesting all interested parties to provide information regarding this population and the species as a whole, and any potential threats to it, by the closing date.”
Mountain whitefish, sometimes known as mountain herring, are members of the Salmonidae family. The species is found throughout mountainous areas of northwestern North America in both the United States and Canada. The species is known to occur in the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. Their preferred habitat is cold water streams and lakes, and some populations are restricted to lakes or isolated sink basins.
Mountain whitefish in the Big Lost River reside in a closed basin (sink) in southeast Idaho. The Big Lost River valley is the only one of five sink drainages in Idaho that contains mountain whitefish.
Comments may be submitted to the Service by one of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket FWS-R1-ES-2009-0043; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203.
The Service will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that personal information may be published.
For further information, please contact Jeffery L. Foss, State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, by mail at 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Room 368, Boise, ID 83709; by telephone at 208-378-5243; by facsimile at 208-378-5262; or by electronic mail at: fw1srbocomment@fws.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.
