[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50395-50396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25419]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Threatened and Rare 
Native Fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin: Warner Sucker 
(Catostomus warnerensis) (Threatened); Hutton Tui Chub (Gila bicolor 
ssp.) (Threatened); Foskett Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus ssp.) 
(Threatened); Cowhead Lake Tui Chub (Gila bicolor vaccaceps) 
(Candidate); Warner Valley Redband Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp.) 
(Special Concern)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability of the draft recovery plan for the Threatened and Rare 
Native Fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin. These fishes 
include the threatened Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis), the 
threatened Hutton tui chub (Gila bicolor ssp.), the threatened Foskett 
speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus ssp.), the candidate Cowhead Lake 
tui chub (Gila bicolor vaccaceps) and the Warner Valley redband trout 
(Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp.) which is considered to be of special 
concern.
    These species inhabit a wide variety of spring, stream, and lake 
habitats in the Warner Basin of Oregon, California, and Nevada. The 
Hutton tui chub inhabits a spring system in the Alkali Subbasin of 
Oregon. The Service solicits review and comment from the public on this 
draft plan.

DATES: All comments on the draft recovery plan received by November 24, 
1997 will be considered by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the draft recovery plan may obtain 
a copy by contacting the State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Oregon State Office, 2600 S.E. 98th Avenue, Suite 100, 
Portland, Oregon 97266-1398 (telephone 503-231-6179). Written comments 
and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the State 
Supervisor, at the above address. Comments and materials received are 
available on request for public inspection, by appointment, during 
normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Antonio Bentivoglio at the above 
Oregon State Office address and phone number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point 
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems is a primary goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 
endangered species program. To help guide the recovery effort, the 
Service is working to prepare recovery plans for most of the listed 
species native to the United States. Recovery plans describe actions 
necessary for the conservation of the species, establish criteria for 
reclassification or delisting, and estimate the time and cost for 
implementing the recovery measures needed.
    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) requires development of recovery plans for listed species 
unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular 
species. Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended in 1988, requires that 
public notice and an opportunity for public review be provided during 
recovery plan development. The Service hereby publishes a notice that 
the draft plan is

[[Page 50396]]

available for public review during a 60-day comment period.
    The Warner sucker inhabits the lakes and low gradient stream 
reaches of the Warner Valley in southeastern Oregon. The Foskett 
speckled dace inhabits two springs in the Coleman subbasin of the 
Warner Valley. The Hutton tui chub inhabits one spring, and may inhabit 
a second spring, in the Alkali subbasin of the Chewaucan Basin, in 
southeastern Oregon. The Warner sucker was listed in September of 1985 
(50 FR 39117), and critical habitat was designated at that time. The 
Foskett speckled dace and Hutton tui chub were listed in March of 1985 
(50 FR 12305) and at that time the designation of critical habitat was 
determined to be imprudent.
    In addition to these listed species, this plan also addresses the 
conservation needs of the candidate Cowhead Lake tui chub and the 
Warner Valley redband trout which is considered to be of special 
concern. The Cowhead Lake tui chub is native to Cowhead Lake, Modoc 
County, California, where it inhabits the seasonal waters of the lake 
and a nearby slough that drains the lake. The Warner Valley redband 
trout is native to the Warner Valley and is found in the same habitats 
as the Warner sucker, but also in higher gradient stream reaches 
upstream of the Warner sucker's habitat.
    Most of these species are impacted by a variety of human induced 
disturbances to their habitats. Activities such as grazing of 
livestock, timber harvest, road construction, irrigation practices, and 
the stocking of non-native fish species have all contributed to the 
declines of, or otherwise increased the risk of extinction of, these 
species. Recovery and long term conservation of these species will 
require establishment of self-sustaining populations with adequate 
distribution in current habitats and, in some cases, the 
reestablishment of migration corridors among habitats. For spring 
dwelling species, conservation will additionally require securing 
spring water sources, research into long-term habitat management needs, 
and assessment of genetic threats to small populations.

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan. All 
comments received by the date specified above will be considered prior 
to the approval of the plan.

    Author: The author of this notice is Antonio Bentivoglio (see 
Oregon State Office address above).

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

    Dated: August 30, 1997.
Mike Spear,
Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25419 Filed 9-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-U