[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12056-12073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03315]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2021-0093; FF09E22000 FXES1113090FEDR 223]
RIN 1018-BF56


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification 
of the Relict Darter From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) 
Rule

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; availability of draft recovery plan and request 
for public comment.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to 
reclassify (downlist) the relict darter (Etheostoma chienense) from 
endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act). The relict darter is a fish species that occupies the 
Bayou de Chien stream system in western Kentucky. Our evaluation of the 
best available scientific and commercial information indicates that the 
species' status has improved such that it is not currently in danger of 
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but 
that it is still likely to become so in the foreseeable future. We also 
propose a rule under section 4(d) of the Act that provides for the 
conservation of the relict darter. In addition, we announce the 
availability of the draft recovery plan for the relict darter. The 
draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria 
based on the species status assessment. We request review of this 
proposal and of the draft recovery plan and comment from local, State, 
and Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, Tribes, and the 
public.

[[Page 12057]]


DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before May 
2, 2022. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, below) must be received by 11:59 
p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. We must receive requests for a 
public hearing, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT by April 18, 2022.

ADDRESSES: 
    Written comments: You may submit comments by one of the following 
methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-R4-ES-2021-0093, 
which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the 
Search button. On the resulting page, in the panel on the left side of 
the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule 
box to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on 
``Comment.''
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments 
Processing, Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2021-0093, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
    We request that you send comments only by the methods described 
above. We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see Information Requested, below, for more information).
    Availability of supporting materials: This proposed rule and 
supporting documents, including the 5-year review, the draft recovery 
plan, and the species status assessment (SSA) report, are available at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2021-0093.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Andrews, Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky Ecological Services Field Office, 
330 West Broadway, Suite 265, Frankfort, KY 40601; telephone 502-695-
0468. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Summary

    Why we need to publish a rule. Under the Act, a species warrants 
reclassification from endangered to threatened if it no longer meets 
the definition of an endangered species (in danger of extinction 
throughout all or a significant portion of its range). The relict 
darter (Etheostoma chienense) is listed as endangered, and we are 
proposing to reclassify (downlist) the relict darter as threatened 
because we have determined it is not currently in danger of extinction 
throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Reclassifying a 
species as a threatened species can be completed only by issuing a 
rulemaking.
    What this document does. This rulemaking proposes to reclassify the 
relict darter from endangered to threatened (i.e., to ``downlist'' the 
species), with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (hereafter 
``a 4(d) rule''), based on the species' current status, which has been 
improved through implementation of conservation actions. This document 
also announces the availability of the draft recovery plan for the 
relict darter.
    The basis for our action. Under the Act, we may determine that a 
species is an endangered species or a threatened species because of any 
of five factors: (A) The present or threatened destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) 
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) other natural or manmade factors 
affecting its continued existence. We may reclassify a species if the 
best available commercial and scientific data indicate the species no 
longer meets the applicable definition in the Act. We have determined 
that the relict darter is no longer in danger of extinction throughout 
all or a significant portion of its range and, therefore, does not meet 
the definition of an endangered species. However, it is still affected 
by the following current and ongoing threats to the extent that the 
species meets the definition of a threatened species under the Act:
    <bullet> Habitat destruction and modification caused by 
sedimentation, stream channelization, removal of riparian vegetation, 
drainage of riparian wetlands, and point and nonpoint source 
discharges.
    <bullet> Drought, accidental spills, and catastrophic events.
    <bullet> Low genetic diversity resulting in reduced adaptive 
capacity and the inability to withstand stochastic disturbances.
    <bullet> Effects from climate change that are likely to exacerbate 
the impacts of drought, hurricanes, and flooding associated with storms 
and hurricanes in the future.
    Proposed section 4(d) rule. Under section 4(d) of the Act, we 
propose to prohibit all take of the relict darter and specifically 
tailor the incidental take exceptions under section 9(a)(1) of the Act 
to the species to provide protective mechanisms to State and Federal 
partners so that they may continue with certain activities that are not 
anticipated to cause direct injury or mortality to the relict darter 
and that will facilitate the conservation and recovery of the species.

Information Requested

    We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule 
will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and 
be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we request 
comments or information from other governmental agencies, Native 
American Tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any other 
interested parties concerning this proposed rule.
    We particularly seek comments concerning:
    (1) Reasons we should or should not reclassify the relict darter as 
a threatened species.
    (2) New information on the historical and current status, range, 
distribution, and population size of the relict darter.
    (3) New information on the known and potential threats to the 
relict darter, including the species' ability to survive catastrophic 
events, sediment and pollution tolerance, and potential impacts of low 
effective population size and low genetic diversity.
    (4) New information regarding the life history, ecology, and 
habitat use of the relict darter.
    (5) Current or planned activities within the geographic range of 
the relict darter that may have adverse impacts or beneficial effects 
on the species.
    (6) Information on regulations that are necessary and advisable to 
provide for the conservation of the relict darter and that the Service 
can consider in developing a 4(d) rule for the species.
    (7) Information concerning the extent to which we should include 
any of the section 9 prohibitions in the 4(d) rule or whether any other 
forms of take should be excepted from the prohibitions in the 4(d) 
rule.
    (8) We also request comments on the draft recovery plan, which is a 
separate effort from the proposed rulemaking.
    Please include sufficient information with your submission (such as 
scientific journal articles or other publications) to allow us to 
verify any scientific or commercial information you include.
    Please note that submissions merely stating support for, or 
opposition to, the proposed rule to reclassify the relict darter 
without providing supporting information, although noted, will not be

[[Page 12058]]

considered in making a determination on the reclassification, as 
section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that determinations as to whether 
any species is an endangered or a threatened species must be made 
solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data 
available.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed 
rule and draft recovery plan by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. 
We request that you send comments only by the methods described in 
ADDRESSES.
    If you submit information via https://www.regulations.gov, your 
entire submission--including any personal identifying information--will 
be posted on the website. If your submission is made via a hardcopy 
that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the 
top of your document that we withhold this information from public 
review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We 
will post all hardcopy submissions on https://www.regulations.gov.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov.
    Because we will consider all comments and information we receive 
during the comment period, our final determinations may differ from 
this proposal. Based on the new information we receive (and any 
comments on that new information), we may conclude that the species 
should remain listed as endangered instead of being reclassified as 
threatened, or we may conclude that the species no longer warrants 
listing as either an endangered species or a threatened species. In 
addition, we may change the parameters of the prohibitions or the 
exceptions to those prohibitions if we conclude it is appropriate in 
light of comments and new information received. For example, we may 
expand the prohibitions to include prohibiting additional activities if 
we conclude that those additional activities are not compatible with 
the conservation of the species. Conversely, we may establish 
additional exceptions to the prohibitions in the final rule if we 
conclude that the activities would facilitate or are compatible with 
the conservation and recovery of the species.

Public Hearing

    Section 4(b)(5) of the Act provides for a public hearing on this 
proposal, if requested. Requests must be received by the date specified 
in DATES. Such requests must be sent to the address shown in FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. We will schedule a public hearing on this 
proposal, if requested, and announce the date, time, and place of the 
hearing, as well as how to obtain reasonable accommodations, in the 
Federal Register and local newspapers within the range of the species 
at least 15 days before the hearing. For the immediate future, we will 
provide these public hearings using webinars that will be announced on 
the Service's website, in addition to the Federal Register. The use of 
these virtual public hearings is consistent with our regulations at 50 
CFR 424.16(c)(3).

Supporting Documents

    A species status assessment (SSA) team prepared an SSA report for 
the relict darter. The SSA team was composed of Service biologists, in 
consultation with other species experts. The SSA report represents a 
compilation of the best scientific and commercial data available 
concerning the status of the species, including the impacts of past, 
present, and future factors (both negative and beneficial) affecting 
the species.
    In accordance with our July 1, 1994, peer review policy (59 FR 
34270; July 1, 1994), our August 22, 2016, Director's Memo on the Peer 
Review Process, and the Office of Management and Budget's December 16, 
2004, Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (revised June 
2012), we solicited independent scientific reviews of the information 
contained in the relict darter SSA report. We sent the SSA report to 
three independent peer reviewers and received three responses. Results 
of this structured peer review process can be found as part of the 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2021-
0093. The SSA report was also submitted to our Federal and State 
partners for scientific review. We received review comments from four 
partners, including the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife 
Resources (KDFWR), the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves (OKNP), the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service 
(NRCS), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). In preparing this proposed 
rule, we incorporated the results of these reviews, as appropriate, 
into the final SSA report, which is the foundation for this proposed 
rule and the draft recovery plan.

Previous Federal Actions

    The relict darter was proposed for listing as an endangered species 
on December 11, 1992 (57 FR 58774). On December 27, 1993 (58 FR 68480), 
we finalized the listing as endangered due to impacts from water 
quality and habitat deterioration resulting from stream channelization, 
siltation contributed by poor land use practices, and water pollutants. 
Designation of critical habitat was found to be not prudent based on 
the determination that a critical habitat designation was unlikely to 
benefit the relict darter and that designation of critical habitat 
could further threaten the species by exposing the species to increased 
collection and threat of vandalism.
    On July 31, 1994, we published a technical/agency draft recovery 
plan for the relict darter, which was not finalized. In 2019, as part 
of the Department of the Interior's agency priority goal effort, we 
initiated preparation of a revised draft recovery plan for the relict 
darter. The current draft (Service 2020b, entire) is available for 
review at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2021-
0093.
    We have completed two 5-year reviews for the relict darter. In the 
August 9, 2013, 5-year review, we concluded that no change in relict 
darter status was warranted. However, the August 30, 2019, our 5-year 
review recommended downlisting the relict darter from endangered to 
threatened status based on population size, evidence of reproduction, 
discovery of a new population, and improved habitat conditions.

Proposed Reclassification Determination

Background

    A thorough review of the relict darter's taxonomy, life history, 
and ecology is presented in the SSA report (Service 2020a, pp. 8-15) 
and is summarized below.

Species Information

    The relict darter is a small, narrowly endemic, benthic fish that 
occupies the Bayou de Chien stream system in western Kentucky. It can 
be distinguished from other darters by the number of dorsal fin rays 
(bony or cartilaginous spines of first and second fins along top of 
body), its breeding behavior (egg-clustering with parental care), and 
the color and morphology of the dorsal fins of breeding males. Females 
and nonbreeding males have light-tan-colored backs and sides, with 
brown mottling and six to eight dark brown saddles. They have white, 
unmarked undersides. Breeding males have gray to dark brown sides and 
backs and light tan undersides (Page et al. 1992, p. 628).

[[Page 12059]]

Taxonomy

    The relict darter, Etheostoma chienense, is a member of the Class 
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes), Order Perciformes, Family Percidae 
(perches), and Tribe Etheostomatini (darters) (Etnier and Starnes 1993, 
pp. 18-25, 440-441). The relict darter was first discovered in the 
Bayou de Chien system in 1975 (Webb and Sisk 1975), reported as E. 
squamiceps, but it was not recognized as a distinct species and 
described until 1992.

Genetics

    A population bottleneck and subsequent genetic drift likely explain 
the species' low genetic diversity and low effective population size, 
which is estimated at a mean of 221.5 individuals, lower than what is 
usually sufficient (500) to retain a species' evolutionary potential 
(Soule 1980, pp. 151-169; Kattawar and Piller 2020, entire). 
Agricultural expansion within the Bayou de Chien system during the 
early to mid-20th century, including widespread channelization and 
straightening of stream channels, likely led to a sharp reduction in 
the size of the relict darter population. Populations have likely 
stabilized some over time, but the effects of a population bottleneck 
and subsequent genetic drift appears to have led to low levels of 
genetic diversity across the range. Recent field surveys (2010-2019) 
suggest that relict darters in Little Bayou de Chien are isolated from 
the rest of the system; however, analyses indicate a single panmictic 
population, where random mating occurs among all individuals in the 
Bayou de Chien system (i.e., individuals can interbreed without 
restrictions) (Kattawar and Piller 2020, entire).

Distribution

    The relict darter's historical range included the Bayou de Chien 
stream system, a 554-kilometer\2\ (km\2\) (214-mile\2\ (mi\2\)) 
watershed located within the Mississippi Valley Loess Plains ecoregion 
(Woods et al. 2002, entire) in Fulton, Graves, and Hickman Counties, 
Kentucky (Webb and Sisk 1975, entire; Warren et al. 1994, entire; 
Piller and Burr 1998, entire). Bayou de Chien is a low-gradient, sand, 
gravel, and silt-bottomed stream that begins in southwestern Graves 
County and flows westward approximately 47 km (29.2 mi) through Hickman 
and Fulton Counties, before ultimately emptying into Obion Creek near 
Hickman, Kentucky. All but the terminal 8-10 km (5.0-6.2 mi) of Bayou 
de Chien have been subjected to extensive channelization, and the 
dominant land use is row-crop agriculture (Webb and Sisk 1975, p. 63). 
Currently, the relict darter continues to occupy portions of the Bayou 
de Chien system in Fulton, Graves, and Hickman counties, Kentucky. The 
species is represented by two geographically isolated populations: 
Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek and Little Bayou de Chien (Service 2020a, 
p. 20).

Habitat

    The species typically occupies slow-flowing runs, glides, or pools 
of small to medium-sized, lowland streams with sand and gravel 
substrates. In these habitats, the species is most commonly observed 
near cover, such as undercut banks, woody debris piles, or snags. An 
abundance of woody debris provides a sufficient supply of spawning 
substrates and, consequently, the highest mean densities of the species 
(Service 2020a, p. 10).

Biology

    The species feeds primarily on midge larvae and other small 
invertebrates. Spawning occurs from mid-March to early June, and the 
species has a maximum lifespan of 3 to 4 years. Like all members of the 
Etheostoma squamiceps complex, females deposit eggs on the undersides 
of submerged objects, and egg clusters are guarded by the male until 
hatching occurs (Service 1994, p. 7). During a 1999 survey, most nests 
were located on natural materials such as small rocks, woody debris, 
and live tree roots, but 37 percent of nests were found on 
anthropogenic materials such as rubber tires, plastic, roof shingles, 
glass, concrete blocks, metal road signs, and concrete slabs (Piller 
and Burr 1999, pp. 147-151).
    The species was characterized as uncommon or rare at most 
collection sites in the 1990s, generally consisting of 1-23 individuals 
per site (Piller and Burr 1998, pp. 66-71). Recent surveys indicate the 
species continues to be rare in some reaches but is more common in 
others. Generally, the greatest number of darters per sampling reach 
and the highest mean densities (0.43 darters/square meter) have been 
observed in Jackson Creek and an approximately 22.6-km (14.1-mi) reach 
of Bayou de Chien (0.30 darters/square meter), extending from just 
downstream of the U.S. 51 bridge crossing in Hickman County upstream to 
the Pea Ridge Road bridge crossing in Graves County (Service 2020a, 
Appendix A).

Recovery Criteria From Draft Recovery Plan (2020)

    Section 4(f) of the Act directs us to develop and implement 
recovery plans for the conservation and survival of endangered and 
threatened species unless we determine that such a plan will not 
promote the conservation of the species. Under section 4(f)(1)(B)(ii), 
recovery plans must, to the maximum extent practicable, include 
objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a 
determination, in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of the 
Act, that the species be removed from the Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants.
    Recovery plans provide a roadmap for us and our partners on methods 
of enhancing conservation and minimizing threats to listed species, as 
well as measurable criteria against which to evaluate progress towards 
recovery and assess the species' likely future condition. However, they 
are not regulatory documents and do not substitute for the 
determinations and promulgation of regulations required under section 
4(a)(1) of the Act. A decision to revise the status of a species, or to 
delist a species, is ultimately based on an analysis of the best 
scientific and commercial data available to determine whether a species 
is no longer an endangered species or a threatened species, regardless 
of whether that information differs from the recovery plan.
    There are many paths to accomplishing recovery of a species, and 
recovery may be achieved without all of the criteria in a recovery plan 
being fully met. For example, one or more criteria may be exceeded 
while other criteria may not yet be accomplished. In that instance, we 
may determine that the threats are minimized sufficiently and that the 
species is robust enough that it no longer meets the definition of an 
endangered species or a threatened species. In other cases, we may 
discover new recovery opportunities after having finalized the recovery 
plan. Parties seeking to conserve the species may use these 
opportunities instead of methods identified in the recovery plan. 
Likewise, we may learn new information about the species after we 
finalize the recovery plan. The new information may change the extent 
to which existing criteria are appropriate for identifying recovery of 
the species. The recovery of a species is a dynamic process requiring 
adaptive management that may, or may not, follow all of the guidance 
provided in a recovery plan.

[[Page 12060]]

    The revised draft recovery plan for the relict darter (Service 
2020b, p. 4) states that the goal of the recovery plan is to ensure the 
long-term viability of the relict darter in the wild to the point that 
it can be removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife. The draft plan provides two recovery/delisting criteria for 
the relict darter. Both of the recovery criteria have been partially 
met. The following discussion provides an assessment of the recovery 
criteria as they relate to evaluating the status of this species. We 
are seeking review and comment of the draft recovery plan from local, 
State, and Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, Tribes, and 
the public (see ADDRESSES and reference Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2021-
0093).

Recovery Criterion 1

    Criterion 1 states that relict darter populations occupying at 
least five streams, including the Bayou de Chien mainstem, Jackson 
Creek, Little Bayou de Chien, South Fork Bayou de Chien, and one other 
Bayou de Chien tributary exhibit stable or increasing population 
trends, natural recruitment, and multiple age classes.
    Populations that exhibit a stable or increasing trend, natural 
recruitment, and multiple age classes have higher resiliency and are 
better able to withstand stochastic disturbance. The presence of 
sufficiently resilient populations in multiple tributaries increases 
the species' redundancy, thereby reducing its vulnerability to 
catastrophic events. Conservation of existing relict darter populations 
in the Bayou de Chien and Little Bayou de Chien watersheds will also 
help to maintain the species' current representation, which although 
currently low, maintenance will therefore not reduce the species' 
ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
    The Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek population of relict darter 
occupies at least six streams, including Bayou de Chien, Jackson Creek, 
Little Bayou de Chien, South Fork Bayou de Chien, Cane Creek, and Sand 
Creek (Service 2020a, p. 20). However, only two of these streams have 
exhibited stable or increasing population trends, recruitment, and 
multiple age classes--Jackson Creek and Bayou de Chien. Recent surveys 
(2017-2018) indicate that estimates of relict darter abundance, mean 
density, and population size continue to be greatest in Jackson Creek 
and middle to headwater reaches of Bayou de Chien (Service 2020a, pp. 
35-36). There is also evidence of reproduction and recruitment in Bayou 
de Chien and Jackson Creek streams, and these trends have remained 
relatively constant or have improved based on surveys completed in the 
past decade (Service 2019, p. 22). Therefore, we conclude that this 
recovery criterion has been partially met.

Recovery Criterion 2

    Criterion 2 states that threats have been addressed and/or managed 
in these watersheds to the extent that the species will maintain 
resiliency into the foreseeable future.
    Under this criterion, cooperative conservation efforts by the 
Service and its partners will reduce existing threats posed by habitat 
disturbance, range curtailment, and past inadequate regulatory 
mechanisms. These threats must be reduced to the extent that there is a 
reasonable expectation the species will maintain resiliency into the 
foreseeable future. Evidence of threat reduction will be demonstrated 
by the species' improved resiliency and redundancy across its range.
    Since 2002, we have worked with multiple agencies and private 
partners (e.g., NRCS, KDFWR, and TNC) to implement conservation actions 
for the relict darter in the Bayou de Chien system (Service 2020a, p. 
29). Our Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program has taken the 
lead role in this effort by providing technical and financial 
assistance to agencies and numerous private landowners. PFW biologists 
have focused their efforts on the use of best management practices 
(BMPs) and instream conservation practices that enhance and restore 
riparian habitats and the instream habitats used by the relict darter. 
PFW projects have included a culvert removal in the headwaters of Bayou 
de Chien, installation of livestock alternate watering systems, 
placement of artificial spawning structures in Bayou de Chien and 
Jackson Creek, installation of livestock exclusion fencing along 
several km of Bayou de Chien and Jackson Creek, and restoration of over 
20.2 hectares (50 acres) of native grasses and wildflowers within 
riparian areas. In addition to these efforts, PFW biologists have 
provided over 10 years of technical assistance to the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Wetland Reserve Easement Program, for projects within 
the Bayou de Chien system (Radomski 2019, pers. comm.).
    While some of the stream habitats within the Bayou de Chien 
watershed have improved since the time of the listing of the relict 
darter, the improvements are often localized, and several threats 
remain. The species continues to be impacted by sedimentation, 
pollution, a limited range and linear distribution, and low genetic 
diversity (Service 2020a, pp. 37-38). Therefore, we consider this 
recovery criterion to be partially met.

Regulatory and Analytical Framework

Regulatory Framework

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing 
regulations (50 CFR part 424) set forth the procedures for determining 
whether a species is an ``endangered species'' or a ``threatened 
species.'' The Act defines an endangered species as a species that is 
in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its 
range, and a threatened species as a species that is likely to become 
an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range. The Act requires that we determine 
whether any species is an ``endangered species'' or a ``threatened 
species'' because of any of the following factors:
    (A) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of its habitat or range;
    (B) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes;
    (C) Disease or predation;
    (D) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
    (E) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued 
existence.
    These factors represent broad categories of natural or human-caused 
actions or conditions that could affect a species' continued existence. 
In evaluating these actions and conditions, we look for those that may 
have a negative effect on individuals of the species, as well as other 
actions or conditions that may ameliorate any negative effects or may 
have positive effects. We consider these same five factors in 
reclassifying a species from endangered to threatened (50 CFR 
424.11(c)-(e)).
    We use the term ``threat'' to refer in general to actions or 
conditions that are known to or are reasonably likely to negatively 
affect individuals of a species. The term ``threat'' includes actions 
or conditions that have a direct impact on individuals (direct 
impacts), as well as those that affect individuals through alteration 
of their habitat or required resources (stressors). The term ``threat'' 
may encompass--either together or separately--the source of the action 
or condition or the action or condition itself.
    However, the mere identification of any threat(s) does not 
necessarily mean that the species meets the statutory

[[Page 12061]]

definition of an ``endangered species'' or a ``threatened species.'' In 
determining whether a species meets either definition, we must evaluate 
all identified threats by considering the species' expected response 
and the effects of the threats--in light of those actions and 
conditions that will ameliorate the threats--on an individual, 
population, and species level. We evaluate each threat and its expected 
effects on the species, then analyze the cumulative effect of all of 
the threats on the species as a whole. We also consider the cumulative 
effect of the threats in light of those actions and conditions that 
will have positive effects on the species--such as any existing 
regulatory mechanisms or conservation efforts. The Secretary determines 
whether the species meets the definition of an ``endangered species'' 
or a ``threatened species'' only after conducting this cumulative 
analysis and describing the expected effect on the species now and in 
the foreseeable future.
    The Act does not define the term ``foreseeable future,'' which 
appears in the statutory definition of ``threatened species.'' Our 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.11(d) set forth a framework for 
evaluating the foreseeable future on a case-by-case basis. The term 
foreseeable future extends only so far into the future as we can 
reasonably determine that both the future threats and the species' 
responses to those threats are likely. In other words, the foreseeable 
future is the period of time in which we can make reliable predictions. 
``Reliable'' does not mean ``certain''; it means sufficient to provide 
a reasonable degree of confidence in the prediction. Thus, a prediction 
is reliable if it is reasonable to depend on it when making decisions.
    It is not always possible or necessary to define foreseeable future 
as a particular number of years. Analysis of the foreseeable future 
uses the best scientific and commercial data available and should 
consider the timeframes applicable to the relevant threats and to the 
species' likely responses to those threats in view of its life-history 
characteristics. Data that are typically relevant to assessing the 
species' biological response include species-specific factors such as 
lifespan, reproductive rates or productivity, certain behaviors, and 
other demographic factors.

Analytical Framework

    The SSA report documents the results of our comprehensive 
biological review of the best scientific and commercial data regarding 
the status of the species, including an assessment of the potential 
threats to the species. The SSA report does not represent our decision 
on whether the species should be reclassified as a threatened species 
under the Act. It does, however, provide the scientific basis that 
informs our regulatory decisions, which involve the further application 
of standards within the Act and its implementing regulations and 
policies.
    To assess relict darter viability, we used the three conservation 
biology principles of resiliency, redundancy, and representation 
(Shaffer and Stein 2000, pp. 306-310). Briefly, resiliency supports the 
ability of the species to withstand environmental and demographic 
stochasticity (for example, wet or dry, warm or cold years); redundancy 
supports the ability of the species to withstand catastrophic events 
(for example, droughts, large pollution events), and representation 
supports the ability of the species to adapt over time to long-term 
changes in the environment (for example, climate changes). In general, 
the more resilient and redundant a species is and the more 
representation it has, the more likely it is to sustain its populations 
over time, even under changing environmental conditions. Using these 
principles, we identified the species' ecological requirements for 
survival and reproduction at the individual, population, and species 
levels, and described the beneficial and risk factors influencing the 
species' viability.
    The SSA process can be categorized into three sequential stages. 
During the first stage, we evaluated the species' ecological and life-
history needs. The next stage involved an assessment of the historical 
and current condition of the species' demographics and habitat 
characteristics, including an explanation of how the species arrived at 
its current condition. The final stage of the SSA involved making 
predictions about the species' responses to positive and negative 
environmental and anthropogenic influences. Throughout all of these 
stages, we used the best available information to characterize 
viability as the ability of the species to sustain its populations in 
the wild over time. We use this information to inform our regulatory 
decision. The following is a summary of the key results and conclusions 
from the SSA report; the full SSA report can be found at Docket No. 
FWS-R4-ES-2021-0093 on https://www.regulations.gov.

Summary of Biological Status and Threats

    In this section, we review the biological condition of the species 
and its resources, and we evaluate threats influencing the species' 
current and future condition. These assessments allow us to assess the 
species' overall viability and the risks to that viability.

Factors Influencing Relict Darter Viability

    At the time of listing in 1993, the relict darter was known only 
from the Bayou de Chien mainstem and Jackson Creek, but it was later 
discovered in the Little Bayou de Chien in 2017 (Service 2019, p. 11). 
Threats to the species at the time of listing were water quality and 
habitat deterioration resulting from stream channelization, siltation 
contributed by incompatible land use practices, and water pollutants 
from waste discharges. Relict darter distribution was reduced by these 
factors, and because the species was known to inhabit only limited 
areas and known to spawn in only one small tributary, it was deemed 
vulnerable to extirpation from toxic chemical spills (58 FR 68481, 
December 27, 1993). Additionally, because of its small population size, 
the species' long-term genetic viability was determined questionable at 
the time of listing.
    While the relict darter's viability has improved over time (see 
Conservation Efforts), three major factors are influencing the 
viability of the species now and are expected to affect it into the 
future: Habitat loss and degradation, restricted range/isolation, and 
climate change. Habitat loss and degradation resulting from siltation, 
channelization/riparian vegetation removal, drainage of riparian 
wetlands, and water quality degradation (pollution) (Factor A) pose the 
largest risk to the current and future viability of the relict darter. 
Other potential stressors to the species are the restricted range of 
the species and climate change (Factor E). We find the species does not 
face threats from overutilization (Factor B), disease or predation 
(Factor C), or invasive species (Factor E). A brief summary of relevant 
stressors is presented below; for a full description, refer to chapter 
3 of the SSA report (Service 2020a, entire).

Siltation

    Siltation is the process whereby excess sediments are suspended or 
deposited in a stream. Excessive levels of sediment accumulate and 
cover the stream bottom, filling the interstitial spaces with finer 
substrates and homogenizing and decreasing the available habitat for 
fishes. In severe cases, sediment can bury larger substrate particles 
such as gravel and cobble, as well as woody debris. Siltation can 
abrade or suffocate fish

[[Page 12062]]

gills, eggs, and larvae; reduce disease tolerance; degrade or destroy 
spawning habitats, affecting egg, larval, and juvenile development; 
modify migration patterns; reduce food availability through the 
blockage of primary production; and reduce foraging efficiency (Berkman 
and Rabeni 1987, pp. 285-294; Waters 1995, pp. 5-7; Wood and Armitage 
1997, pp. 211-212; Meyer and Sutherland 2005, pp. 2-3). Thus, siltation 
is a threat to all life stages of relict darter. In addition, relict 
darter spawning substrates are usually the undersides of fixed objects 
(e.g., wood, tree roots, cobble, tires) and are vulnerable to the 
effects of siltation (i.e., embeddedness, or being completely covered 
in sediment) (Service 2020a, p. 14).
    Sediment (siltation) is one of the most common stressors of aquatic 
communities in the Bayou de Chien system (Kentucky Division of Water 
(KDOW) 2018, pp. 43-45). The primary sources of sediment are as 
agriculture (crop production) and habitat impacts (channel erosion/
incision from upstream hydromodifications, dredging, and loss of 
riparian habitat). The Bayou de Chien system is extensively farmed 
(e.g., row crops and livestock), and a large portion of the system has 
been deforested. These land use practices result in a high silt load 
within the system that continues to degrade habitats and impact the 
species. Croplands have the potential to contribute large sediment 
loads during storm events, thereby causing increased siltation and 
potentially introducing harmful agricultural pollutants such as 
herbicides and pesticides. Unrestricted livestock access to streams has 
the potential to cause siltation and other habitat disturbance (Fraley 
and Ahlstedt 2000, pp. 193-194). Grazing may reduce water infiltration 
rates and increase stormwater runoff; trampling and vegetation removal 
increase the probability of erosion and siltation (Brim Box and Mossa 
1999, p. 103). Physical habitat disturbance from sedimentation is less 
common in Jackson Creek than in other portions of the Bayou de Chien 
system.
    Several streams within the Bayou de Chien system have been 
identified as impaired due to siltation and have been included by the 
State of Kentucky on its list of impaired waters required under section 
303(d) of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1313(d)) (KDOW 2018, pp. 43-
45). Portions of several streams occupied by the relict darter are on 
this list, including Cane Creek (stream km 0-8.5 (stream mi 0-5.3)) in 
Hickman County, Little Bayou de Chien (stream km 1.8-3.8 and 18.8-22.5 
(stream mi 1.1-2.4 and 11.7-14.0)) in Fulton and Hickman Counties, and 
South Fork Bayou de Chien (stream km 0-12.6 (stream mi 0-7.8)) in 
Graves County.

Channelization/Riparian Vegetation Removal

    Stream channelization is a common practice used to reduce the 
effects of flooding, increase the drainage rate of agricultural land, 
and maximize the amount of tillable land (Piller and Burr 1998, p. 65). 
These modified channels are often managed through vegetation removal 
and dredging to improve flood conveyance or through placement of 
quarried stone or gabion baskets to protect against bank erosion (Allan 
and Castillo 2007, p. 327).
    Historically, Bayou de Chien was presumably a free-flowing stream 
with alternating areas of riffles, runs, and pools. Since that time, 
many stream reaches within the system have been channelized and 
converted to deep ditches with uniform depth, velocity, and substrate 
(Piller and Burr 1998, p. 71). Channelization has impacted the Bayou de 
Chien system by changing stream flow patterns including reducing 
instream flows (especially during drier periods) that stress relict 
darters, decreasing aquatic habitat complexity, which affects 
sheltering and feeding for relict darters, and reducing stream bank and 
floodplain (riparian) vegetation (Piller and Burr 1998, p. 71), which 
affects relict darter feeding and breeding resource needs. Channelized 
reaches have higher stream velocities and shear stress (a measure of 
the force of water against the channel boundary) during high flow 
periods (which leads to channel instability and bank erosion), less 
instream cover and habitat for aquatic organisms including relict 
darter (decreased habitat complexity), less riparian vegetation and 
correspondingly reduced canopies (reduced shade and reduced woody 
debris input), and below normal flows during drier periods (Warren et 
al. 1994, p. 24; Piller and Burr 1998, p. 71). Thus, the relict darter 
is susceptible to impacts from channelization and reductions in 
riparian vegetation because these stressors affect flows, habitat 
complexity, and instream temperatures and reduce the amount of woody 
material, thus affecting sheltering and reproduction needs of the 
species.
    The reduction or loss of riparian vegetation contributes to 
siltation through bank destabilization and the removal of submerged 
root systems that help to hold sediments in place while providing 
habitat for relict darters and their macroinvertebrate prey (Barling 
and Moore 1994, p. 544; Beeson and Doyle 1995, p. 989; Allan 2004, p. 
262; Hauer and Lamberti 2006, pp. 721-723; Minshall and Rugenski 2006, 
pp. 721-723). Removal of riparian vegetation can also reduce the 
stream's capacity for trapping and removing contaminants and nutrients 
from runoff; increase solar exposure, resulting in higher water 
temperatures; increase algal abundance (primary production); and reduce 
inputs of woody debris and leaf litter, thereby reducing food sources 
for relict darters and lowering overall stream production (Brazier and 
Brown 1973, p. 4; Karr and Schlosser 1978, p. 231; Peterjohn and 
Correll 1984, p. 1473; Osborne and Kovacic 1993, p. 255; Barling and 
Moore 1994, p. 555; Vought et al. 1994, p. 346; Allan 1995, p. 109; 
Wallace et al. 1999, p. 429; Pusey and Arthington 2003, p. 4). Where a 
reduction or loss of riparian vegetation occurs, these impacts 
negatively affect the quality of habitat available to the relict darter 
for breeding, feeding, and sheltering.

Drainage of Riparian Wetlands

    With increased agricultural activity in the Bayou de Chien basin 
over the last century, much of the basin's vegetation has been cleared, 
and many riparian wetlands have been drained to make additional lands 
available for farming (Piller and Burr 1998, p. 65). This situation has 
caused an overall reduction in the groundwater level and base flows 
within Bayou de Chien and its tributaries. Many small streams in the 
system have completely dried or consisted of isolated pools by the 
early fall months (Warren et al. 1994, p. 24). These conditions serve 
to isolate populations and subject both the adult and juvenile relict 
darters to increased pressure from predators (Service 1994, p. 14). 
Dispersal of the species upstream of the Jackson Creek area or into 
many downstream tributaries may be limited by instream flow conditions 
(Warren et al. 1994, p. 24).

Water Quality Degradation (Pollution)

    Information is lacking on the relict darter's tolerance to specific 
pollutants, but a variety of contaminants continue to degrade stream 
water quality within the Bayou de Chien drainage, and these pollutants 
may affect the relict darter. Several point-source and nonpoint-source 
pollutants to aquatic life occur in the Bayou de Chien (Service 2020a, 
Appendix B) (KDOW 2018, pp. 43-45). These pollutants include copper, 
iron, lead, excess nutrients (total nitrogen and phosphorus), and 
eutrophication originating from two suspected sources--municipal point 
source discharges (e.g., sewage treatment) and agriculture (e.g., crop 
production and

[[Page 12063]]

animal feeding operations). Portions of four streams that are occupied 
by relict darter, specifically Bayou de Chien, Cane Creek, Little Bayou 
de Chien, and South Fork Bayou de Chien, were identified as impaired 
due to these pollutants (KDOW 2018, pp. 43-45). The impacts of copper, 
lead, and iron inputs are unknown, but nutrient inputs and 
eutrophication can lead to excessive algal growths and instream oxygen 
deficiencies that can seriously impact aquatic species, including the 
relict darter.
    Currently, 13 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 
permits have been issued authorizing the discharge of pollutants within 
portions of the Bayou de Chien system (Fredenberg 2018, pers. comm.; 
Service 2020a, p. 27). Two sewage treatment plants, the City of Fulton 
Treatment Works (Kentucky Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 
(KPDES) #KY0026913) and the Hickman East Sewage Treatment Plant (KPDES 
#KY0028436), discharge treated wastewater directly into Bayou de Chien. 
Between January 2010 and April 2020, the Fulton facility received 13 
violation notices from KDOW. The notices were issued for permit 
exceedances of a variety of chemical parameters (e.g., Biochemical 
Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), pH) and for failures 
to meet certain monitoring requirements associated with the permit 
(Service 2020a, Appendix C). Insufficient treatment of wastewater could 
harm relict darter populations by introducing pollutants (e.g., metals, 
bacteria) and altering water quality conditions (e.g., decreased oxygen 
levels, elevated pH).
    The Bayou de Chien system is also affected by nonpoint-source 
pollutants, arising from a variety of diffuse sources. Examples of 
nonpoint-source pollutants include sediment (e.g., stormwater runoff 
from driveways, fields, construction sites), raw sewage (e.g., septic 
tank leakage, straight pipe discharges), animal waste from livestock, 
fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and road salt (KDOW 2013, pp. 19-
21; KDOW 2018, pp. 43-45). Nonpoint-source pollutants can cause excess 
nutrification (increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorus), excessive 
algal growths that clog the waterway and affect swimming capability and 
visual predation, instream oxygen deficiencies that affect oxygen 
intake by relict darters, and other changes in water chemistry that can 
impact aquatic species such as the relict darter. Nonpoint-source 
pollution from land surface runoff can originate from virtually any 
land use activity and has been correlated with impervious surfaces and 
storm water runoff (Allan 2004, pp. 266-267). Pollutants may include 
sediments, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, animal wastes, septic 
tank and gray water leakage, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum products. 
These pollutants tend to increase concentrations of nutrients and 
toxins in the water and alter the chemistry of affected streams such 
that the habitat and food sources for species like the relict darter 
are negatively impacted.
    Due to its linear distribution within the Bayou de Chien mainstem 
and Jackson Creek, the relict darter continues to be vulnerable to 
accidental chemical or animal waste spills and releases that may result 
from traffic accidents, agricultural activities, or permitted 
discharges (Warren et al.1994, p. 24). Events of this kind have 
affected other aquatic communities in the Southeastern United States 
during the recent past (Ahlstedt et al. 2016, pp. 8-9), so similar 
events have the potential to affect relict darter populations in the 
Bayou de Chien system. These events could have devastating effects on 
darters in these reaches (Piller and Burr 1996, p. 74) and could pose a 
threat to the long-term viability of the species.

Restricted Range/Isolation

    The relict darter has always had a limited geographic range, 
currently consisting of approximately 52.5 stream km (32.7 stream mi) 
within a single stream system in western Kentucky (Bayou de Chien 
system). The species was characterized as uncommon or rare at most 
collection sites in the 1990s (Piller and Burr 1998, pp. 66-71), and 
recent surveys indicate the species continues to be rare in some 
reaches but is more common in others.
    The species' restricted range and low abundance in some reaches 
(e.g., Little Bayou de Chien and Cane Creek) make it more vulnerable to 
extirpation from toxic chemical spills, habitat modification, 
degradation from land surface runoff (nonpoint-source pollution), and 
natural catastrophic changes to their habitat (e.g., flood scour, 
drought). In particular, recent survey data indicate that the relict 
darter's most successful reproduction occurs in Jackson Creek and 
middle and headwater reaches of Bayou de Chien, which are vulnerable to 
stochastic events, such as a single toxic chemical spill or an extreme 
weather event such as a drought or flash flood. These events could have 
devastating effects on darters in these reaches (Piller and Burr 1996, 
p. 74) and could pose a threat to the long-term viability of the 
species.
    The relict darter is represented by two geographically isolated 
populations: Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek and Little Bayou de Chien 
(Service 2020a, p. 20). The fact that the Little Bayou de Chien 
population is small and isolated from the larger Bayou de Chien/Jackson 
Creek population makes it more vulnerable to stochastic and 
catastrophic events, thus affecting overall relict darter viability.

Climate Change

    Species that are dependent on specialized habitat types, limited in 
distribution, or at the extreme periphery of their range may be most 
susceptible to the impacts of climate change (Byers and Norris 2011, 
pp. 18-19); however, while continued change is certain, the magnitude 
and rate of change is unknown in many cases. Climate change has the 
potential to increase the vulnerability of the relict darter to random 
catastrophic events (McLaughlin et al. 2002, pp. 6060-6074; Thomas et 
al. 2004, pp. 145-148). An increase in both severity and variation in 
climate patterns is expected; extreme floods, strong storms, and 
droughts will become more common (Cook et al. 2004, pp. 1015-1018; Ford 
et al. 2011, p. 2065; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2014, 
pp. 58-83). Frequency, duration, and intensity of droughts are likely 
to increase in the Southeast as a result of global climate change 
(Thomas et al. 2004, pp. 145-148). Stream temperatures in the Southeast 
have increased roughly 0.2-0.4 degrees Celsius ([deg]C) (0.4-0.7 
degrees Fahrenheit ([deg]F)) per decade over the past 30 years, and as 
air temperature is a strong predictor of water temperature, stream 
temperatures are expected to continue to rise (Kaushal et al. 2010, p. 
465). Predicted impacts of climate change on fishes include disruption 
to their physiology (such as temperature tolerance, dissolved oxygen 
needs, and metabolic rates), life history (such as timing of 
reproduction, growth rate), and distribution (range shifts, migration 
of new predators) (Jackson and Mandrak 2002, pp. 89-98; Heino et al. 
2009, pp. 41-51; Strayer and Dudgeon 2010, pp. 350-351; Comte et al. 
2013, pp. 627-636).
    Estimates of the effects of climate change using available climate 
models typically lack the geographic precision needed to project the 
magnitude of effects at a scale small enough to discretely apply to the 
range of a given species. However, data on recent trends and projected 
changes for Kentucky (Girvetz et al. 2009, pp. 1-19), and, more 
specifically, the Bayou de Chien system (Alder and Hostetler 2017,

[[Page 12064]]

entire) provide some insight for evaluating the potential impacts of 
climate change to the relict darter. Different emission scenarios have 
been used to calculate estimates of average annual increases in maximum 
and minimum air temperature, precipitation, snowfall, and other 
variables (Alder and Hostetler 2017, entire). These scenarios, called 
representative concentration pathways (RCPs), are plausible pathways 
toward reaching a target radiative forcing (the change in energy in the 
atmosphere due to greenhouse gases) by the year 2100 (Moss et al. 2010, 
p. 752). Depending on the chosen model and emission scenario (RCP8.5 
(high) vs. 4.5 (moderate)), annual mean maximum air temperatures for 
the Bayou de Chien system are expected to increase by 2.3-3.4 [deg]C 
(4.1-6.1 [deg]F) by 2074, while precipitation models predict that the 
Bayou de Chien system will experience a slight increase in annual mean 
precipitation (0.5 centimeters/month (0.2 inches/month)) through 2074 
(Girvetz et al. 2009, pp. 1-19; Alder and Hostetler 2016, pp. 1-9).
    There is uncertainty about the specific effects of climate change 
(and their magnitude) on the relict darter; however, climate change is 
almost certain to affect aquatic habitats in the Bayou de Chien system 
of western Kentucky through increased water temperatures and more 
frequent droughts (Alder and Hostetler 2017, entire), and species with 
limited ranges, fragmented distributions, and small population size, 
such as the relict darter, are thought to be especially vulnerable to 
the effects of climate change (Byers and Norris 2011, pp. 18-19). Thus, 
we consider climate change to be a threat to the relict darter.

Regulatory Mechanisms

    The relict darter and its habitats are afforded some protection 
from water quality and habitat degradation under the Clean Water Act, 
Kentucky's Forest Conservation Act of 1998 (KRS Sec. Sec.  149.330-
355), Kentucky's Agriculture Water Quality Act of 1994 (KRS Sec. Sec.  
224.71-140), and additional Kentucky statutes and regulations regarding 
natural resources and environmental protection (KRS Sec.  224; 401 KAR 
Sec. Sec.  5:026, 5:031). While it is clear that the protections 
afforded by these statutes and regulations have not prevented the 
degradation of some habitats used by the relict darter, the species has 
undoubtedly benefited from improvements in water quality and habitat 
conditions stemming from these regulatory mechanisms.

Conservation Efforts

    The relict darter is listed as endangered in Kentucky (OKNP 2019, 
p. 16), making it unlawful to take the species or damage its habitat 
without a State permit. Additionally, the relict darter is identified 
as a species of greatest conservation need in the Kentucky Wildlife 
Action Plan (KDFWR 2013, Chapter 2), which outlines actions to promote 
species conservation.
    Since listing the species, the Service has worked with multiple 
agencies and private partners (e.g., NRCS, KDFWR, and TNC) to implement 
conservation actions for the relict darter in the Bayou de Chien 
system. The Service's PFW Program has taken the lead role in this 
effort by providing technical and financial assistance to agencies and 
numerous private landowners. PFW has focused its efforts on the use of 
best management practices (BMPs) and instream conservation practices 
that enhance and restore riparian and instream habitats used by the 
relict darter. PFW projects have included a culvert removal in the 
headwaters of Bayou de Chien, installation of livestock alternate 
watering systems, placement of artificial spawning structures in Bayou 
de Chien and Jackson Creek, installation of livestock exclusion fencing 
along several kilometers of Bayou de Chien and Jackson Creek, and 
restoration of more than 20.2 hectares (50 acres) of native grasses and 
wildflowers within riparian areas. In addition to these efforts, PFW 
biologists have provided over 10 years of technical assistance to the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wetland Reserve Easement Program, for 
projects within the Bayou de Chien system (Radomski 2019, pers. comm.). 
These efforts have resulted in permanent easements covering more than 
1,700 acres (688 hectares) in the upper Bayou de Chien system (Morris 
2020, pers. comm.). These easements will benefit the relict darter 
through sediment and nutrient reduction, shading of stream corridors 
(via riparian plantings), hydrological restoration (via plugging of 
agricultural ditches and improved groundwater connections), and general 
habitat creation, or wetland restoration.

Species Viability

    For relict darter populations to be sufficiently resilient, the 
needs of individuals (slow-flowing riffles and pools, appropriate 
substrate, food availability, water quality, and aquatic vegetation or 
large woody debris for cover) must be met at a larger scale. Stream 
reaches with suitable habitat must be large enough to support an 
appropriate number of individuals to avoid issues associated with small 
population size, such as inbreeding depression and the Allee effect 
(low population density reducing the probability of encountering mates 
for spawning). Connectivity of stream reaches allows for immigration 
and emigration between populations and increases the likelihood of 
recolonization should a population be lost. At the species level, the 
relict darter needs well-distributed healthy populations to withstand 
environmental stochasticity (resiliency) and catastrophes (redundancy) 
and adapt to biological and physical changes in its environment 
(representation). To evaluate the current and future viability of the 
relict darter, we assessed a range of conditions to allow us to 
estimate the species' resiliency, representation, and redundancy.
    We delineated analytical units (populations) by dividing the relict 
darter's range into two units (Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek and Little 
Bayou de Chien) based on known occurrence records, the substantial 
distance (18.3 kilometers (km) (11.4 miles (mi)) separating known 
occurrence records in both watersheds, and unsuitable habitat 
conditions in downstream reaches of both watersheds.
    To assess resiliency, we evaluated four components that relate to 
the species' habitat or its population demography: Physical habitat, 
water quality, mean density, and occurrence complexity. We assessed 
habitat using two components describing physical habitat quality and 
water quality. The demographic condition was assessed using mean 
density and occurrence complexity. We established parameters for each 
condition category by evaluating the range of existing data and 
separating those data into categories based on our understanding of the 
species' demographics and habitat (table 1, below). Individual 
component scores were combined and averaged to produce an overall 
condition score for each population.

[[Page 12065]]



              Table 1--Component Conditions Used To Assess Resiliency for Relict Darter Populations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Condition
          Component           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       High                Moderate                 Low                 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Physical Habitat.............  Silt deposition low;  Silt deposition       Silt deposition       Habitats
                                no extensive or       moderate; habitat     extensive; habitats   unsuitable
                                significant habitat   alterations at        severely altered      (species
                                alterations (e.g.,    moderate levels--     and recognized as     absent).
                                recent                channelization or     impacting the
                                channelization,       other habitat         species; <25% of
                                riparian clearing);   disturbance more      habitats suitable
                                >75% of available     widespread; 25-75%    for the species.
                                habitat suitable      of available
                                for the species.      habitat suitable
                                                      for the species.
Water Quality................  Minimal or no known   WQ issues recognized  WQ issues prevalent   Habitat
                                water quality (WQ)    and may impact        within system,        unsuitable
                                issues (i.e., no      species (i.e., 1-2    likely impacting      (species
                                303(d) streams        303(d) streams).      populations (i.e.,    absent).
                                impacting the                               numerous 303(d)
                                species *).                                 streams).
Mean Density (# darters/m\2\)  >0.15...............  0.05-0.15...........  <0.05...............  Species absent.
Occurrence Complexity........  Occupies main         Occupies main         Occupies main         Species absent.
                                channel and >=3       channel and maximum   channel and maximum
                                tributaries.          of 2 tributaries.     of <=1 tributaries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Signifies streams identified by the State of Kentucky on the list of impaired streams required by section
  303(d) of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1313(d)).

    Our evaluation of representation for the relict darter was based on 
the species' genetic diversity and the extent and variability of 
environmental diversity (habitat diversity) across the species' 
geographical range. Additionally, we assessed relict darter redundancy 
(ability of the species to withstand catastrophic events) by evaluating 
the number and distribution of resilient populations throughout the 
species' range. Highly resilient populations, coupled with a broad 
distribution throughout the historical range, have a positive 
relationship to species-level redundancy.

Current Conditions of the Relict Darter

    The relict darter's historical range included the Bayou de Chien 
stream system, a 554-kilometer\2\ (km\2\) (214-mile\2\ (mi\2\) 
watershed located within the Mississippi Valley Loess Plains ecoregion 
(Woods et al. 2002, entire) in Fulton, Graves, and Hickman Counties, 
Kentucky (Webb and Sisk 1975, entire; Warren et al. 1994, entire; 
Piller and Burr 1998, entire). Bayou de Chien is a low-gradient, sand, 
gravel, and silt-bottomed stream that begins in southwestern Graves 
County and flows westward approximately 47 km (29.2 mi) through Hickman 
and Fulton Counties, before ultimately emptying into Obion Creek near 
Hickman, Kentucky. Historically, Bayou de Chien was presumably an 
undisturbed, free-flowing stream with alternating areas of riffles, 
runs, and pools; however, only a few of these reaches remain because 
much of the stream has been channelized and converted to a deep ditch 
with uniform depth, velocity, and substrate (Piller and Burr 1998, pp. 
64-65).
    The relict darter's current range is also limited to the Bayou de 
Chien system in Fulton, Graves, and Hickman Counties, Kentucky. Recent 
surveys (2010-2019) indicate that the species is now known by two 
geographically separated populations: Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek and 
Little Bayou de Chien. Within the Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek 
population, the species occupies patches of suitable habitat within a 
30.4-km (18.9-mi) reach of Bayou de Chien, a 3.6-km (2.3-mi) reach of 
Jackson Creek, a 3.2-km (2.0-mi) reach of South Fork Bayou de Chien, a 
10.4-km (6.5-mi) reach of Cane Creek, and a 2.3-km (1.4-mi) reach of 
Sand Creek. Within the Little Bayou de Chien population, the species 
occupies patches of suitable habitat within a 2.6-km (1.6-mi) reach. In 
total, the species currently occupies 52.5 stream km (32.7 stream mi).
    The Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek population exhibits moderate 
resiliency, as evidenced by recent estimates of mean density and mean 
population size, recent monitoring data showing evidence of 
reproduction and recruitment, and our observations of moderate to high 
physical habitat and water quality conditions within the watershed 
(table 2; Service 2020a, p. 35). Based on recent surveys, Jackson Creek 
and Bayou de Chien have moderate to high relict darter densities, with 
population estimates of 1,888 and 22,798 fish, respectively, indicating 
that the population size has more than doubled since a decade ago 
(Service 2019, p. 7; Service 2020a, p. 36). Resiliency of the Little 
Bayou de Chien population is lower due to its lower mean density and 
less optimal habitat conditions (table 2, below). The species was only 
recently discovered in the Little Bayou de Chien in July 2017. Recent 
survey efforts have been limited to two 100-m reaches and several 
qualitative searches; population size has not been estimated because of 
the limited quantitative effort; however, 23 relict darters were 
observed. Low levels of reproduction and recruitment are assumed for 
the Little Bayou de Chien. Overall, the range-wide mean population 
estimate is 24,686 relict darters (Service 2019, p. 7).
    We consider redundancy and representation of the relict darter to 
be low due to the species' small number of populations, its low 
effective population size (mean of 221.5, with a 95 percent confidence 
interval of 143.3-448.3), and its reduced genetic diversity (table 2; 
Kattawar and Piller 2020, pp. 27-28). We recognize that redundancy and 
representation may be inherently low for a narrow endemic like the 
relict darter. The fact that the species exhibits little genetic 
variation across its range and has a very low effective population size 
suggests a past population bottleneck (e.g., range-wide habitat 
disturbance) and subsequent genetic drift (loss of rare alleles in a 
small population) (Kattawar and Piller 2020, entire).

[[Page 12066]]



                 Table 2--3Rs (Resiliency, Redundancy, Representation) Summary for Relict Darter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Population                       Resiliency                Redundancy            Representation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek........  Moderate..................  Naturally Low--the      Low--low genetic
Little Bayou de Chien...............  Low.......................   species is a narrowly   diversity and low
                                                                   distributed endemic;    effective population
                                                                   populations appear to   size.
                                                                   be separated, but
                                                                   connectivity exists
                                                                   within Bayou de
                                                                   Chien, Jackson Creek,
                                                                   and other large
                                                                   tributaries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As a narrow endemic species located in one watershed in 
southwestern Kentucky, the relict darter has inherently low redundancy, 
with only one known population at the time of listing, and currently 
there are two populations. Representation is also limited based on its 
restricted range, yet the species has survived a likely population 
bottleneck, and despite low genetic diversity, genetic analyses 
indicate a single panmictic population, indicating some recent genetic 
exchange between populations. Low species redundancy and representation 
are tempered by the moderate resiliency of the Bayou de Chien/Jackson 
Creek population. This historical population continues to exhibit 
resiliency today, with high relict darter abundance and evidence of 
continued reproduction. This moderately resilient population has 
survived threats, primarily because conservation efforts over the past 
three decades have improved habitat within the system, thus enabling 
the breeding, feeding, and sheltering needs of the relict darter to be 
met and thus sustaining the population over time.

Future Conditions

    In our SSA (Service 2020a, entire), we defined viability as the 
ability of the species to sustain populations in the wild over time. To 
help address uncertainty associated with the degree and extent of 
potential future stressors and their impacts on the species' needs, the 
concepts of resiliency, redundancy, and representation were assessed 
using three plausible future scenarios (continuation of current trend, 
improving trend, and worsening trend), using the same analytical units 
and components described above, in Summary of Biological Status and 
Threats. We devised these scenarios by identifying data sources related 
to the primary threats anticipated to affect the relict darter in the 
future. For the habitat loss and degradation threat, we looked at land 
cover change and urbanization, as well as conservation activity, and we 
also included predicted impacts of future climate change. The three 
scenarios capture the range of uncertainty in the changing landscape 
and how relict darter will respond to the changing conditions (table 3, 
below). We used the best available data and models to project out 50 
years into the future (i.e., 2070), a timeframe where we were 
reasonably certain the land use change, urbanization, and climate 
models used could project patterns in the species' range relevant to 
the relict darter and its habitat given the species' lifespan. For each 
scenario, we provided a summary of resiliency for each population at 
10, 30, and 50 years in the future. For more information on the models 
and their projections, please see the SSA report (Service 2020a, 
entire).

  Table 3--Future Condition of the Relict Darter by the Years 2030, 2050, and 2070 Under Three Future Scenarios
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Predicted future condition
      Scenario          Population    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               10 Years                 30 Years                 50 Years
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................  Bayou de Chien/   Moderate...............  Moderate...............  Moderate.
                      Jackson.
                     Little Bayou de   Low....................  Low....................  Low.
                      Chien.
2..................  Bayou de Chien/   Moderate...............  Moderate-High..........  Moderate-High.
                      Jackson.
                     Little Bayou de   Low....................  Low-Moderate...........  Moderate.
                      Chien.
3..................  Bayou de Chien/   Moderate...............  Low-Moderate...........  Low.
                      Jackson.
                     Little Bayou de   Low....................  Extirpated.............  Extirpated.
                      Chien.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under Scenario 1 (continuation of current trend), small increases 
in urbanization were predicted by 2050 and 2070 within the watersheds 
of both extant populations (Service 2020a, pp. 41-43), but associated 
impacts on habitat and population elements were expected to be minimal. 
We also predicted continued implementation of conservation actions 
under KDFWR's conservation strategy and through the Service's PFW 
program. Using a moderate level of climate change (RCP 4.5), within the 
next 10 years, portions of the Bayou de Chien system were impacted by 
either drought or floods, with slightly warmer temperatures. Over the 
long term (30-50 years), drought affected all populations but at 
intervals and severity levels similar to what has occurred over the 
last 10 years.
    Considering all of these factors, we expect no change in resiliency 
for the two known populations; however, the low resiliency of the 
Little Bayou de Chien population makes it much more vulnerable to 
extirpation from the effects of stochastic disturbance. Under Scenario 
1, both representation and redundancy of the relict darter are expected 
to remain at low levels. The species is limited to one low resiliency 
population and one moderate resiliency population, both of which occupy 
streams within a single ecoregion, Mississippi Valley Loess Plains. 
Within this ecoregion, relict darters occupy second- to fourth-order 
reaches, but habitat diversity within these reaches tends to be low. 
The species also has low genetic diversity, which cannot be increased 
through augmentations, reintroductions, or other genetics-based 
conservation actions because genetic diversity cannot be created with a 
species that has a limited gene pool. The species' low genetic 
diversity could potentially limit its ability to adapt to changing 
environmental conditions over time. Furthermore, both populations will 
remain vulnerable to catastrophic events, such as an extreme drought or 
chemical spill, because the species' distribution is generally limited 
to a single, continuous stream reach within each population.

[[Page 12067]]

    Under Scenario 2 (improving trend), we projected a number of 
improved conditions and positive outcomes that led to overall improved 
resiliency and redundancy for the relict darter. We projected both land 
use change and urbanization to be lower than current rates. The current 
trend in climate improved, with lower annual increases in temperature 
and less severe droughts or floods in the short term (RCP 4.5). Over 
the long term (30-50 years), drought affected both populations but at 
intervals and severity levels lower than what occurred over the last 10 
years. Conservation efforts, including new efforts along occupied 
reaches of Little Bayou de Chien, increased through State wildlife 
action plans, and other Service partnerships with Federal, State, and 
nongovernmental partners. These actions contributed to improved water 
quality conditions, increases in forest and riparian cover, and 
reductions in point source and nonpoint-source pollutants in all 
historical tributary systems.
    Based on these habitat and water quality improvements, we expect 
both extant populations to increase in size, with continued 
reproduction and recruitment. We also expect these populations to 
expand into unoccupied historical tributaries, eventually resulting in 
improved occurrence complexity in both watersheds. All of these actions 
and conditions will result in increased resiliency for the Bayou de 
Chien/Jackson and Little Bayou de Chien populations over the next 30-50 
years. Under Scenario 2, representation of the relict darter is 
expected to remain at a low level. The species' expansion within the 
Bayou de Chien and Little Bayou de Chien watersheds will bolster the 
species' resiliency and redundancy, but the species' low genetic 
diversity cannot be increased. Under Scenario 2, redundancy of the 
relict darter will increase due to the species' expansion and improved 
resiliency within the Bayou de Chien and Little Bayou de Chien 
watersheds and due to the species' recolonization of historical 
tributaries such as South Fork Bayou de Chien. This increased 
redundancy will decrease the likelihood that a catastrophic event, such 
as an extreme drought or pollution event, would lead to the species' 
extinction. Under Scenario 2, we expect the relict darter to exhibit 
low-moderate redundancy.
    Under Scenario 3 (worsening trend), we projected rates of land use 
change and urbanization to be higher than current rates. The current 
trend in climate worsened (high RCP of 8.5), and within the next 10 
years, populations were impacted by either drought or floods, with 
warmer stream temperatures and lower rainfall. Over the long term (30-
50 years), drought affected both populations at intervals and severity 
levels higher than what has occurred over the last 10 years. Some 
conservation actions continued in the Bayou de Chien system, but there 
was a net decrease in these activities due to reduced agency funding. 
All of these actions and conditions resulted in declining habitat and 
water quality conditions that will negatively affect resiliency 
estimates for both extant populations.
    For this scenario, we project low resiliency for the Bayou de 
Chien/Jackson population and potential extirpation of the Little Bayou 
de Chien population by 2070. Under Scenario 3, representation of the 
relict darter is expected to remain at a low level. Reduced resiliency 
of the Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek population and extirpation of the 
Little Bayou de Chien population will increase the species' 
vulnerability to stochastic disturbance and will likely reduce the 
species' ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Under 
Scenario 3, redundancy of the relict darter is expected to remain at a 
low level; however, extirpation of the Little Bayou de Chien population 
reduces the species' range, leaving it with a single population (Bayou 
de Chien/Jackson Creek) that is more vulnerable to a catastrophic event 
such as an extreme drought or chemical spill. The species' redundancy 
is also weakened by lower resiliency of the Bayou de Chien/Jackson 
Creek population, which will be faced with declining physical habitat 
and water quality conditions.

Synergistic and Cumulative Effects

    In addition to affecting the relict darter individually, it is 
possible that several of the risk factors summarized above are acting 
synergistically or cumulatively on the species. The combined impact of 
multiple stressors is likely more harmful than a single stressor acting 
alone. The dual stressors of climate change and direct human impact 
have the potential to affect aquatic ecosystems by altering stream 
flows and nutrient cycles, eliminating habitats, and changing community 
structure (Moore et al. 1997, p. 942). Increased water temperatures and 
a reduction in stream flow are the climate change effects that are most 
likely to affect stream communities (Poff 1992, entire), and each 
variable is strongly influenced by land use patterns.
    We note that, by using the SSA framework to guide our analysis of 
the scientific information documented in the SSA report, we have not 
only analyzed individual effects on the species, but we have also 
analyzed their potential cumulative effects. We incorporate the 
cumulative effects into our SSA analysis when we characterize the 
current and future condition of the species. To assess the current and 
future condition of the species, we undertake an iterative analysis 
that encompasses and incorporates the threats individually and then 
accumulates and evaluates the effects of all the factors that may be 
influencing the species, including threats and conservation efforts. 
Because the SSA framework considers not just the presence of the 
factors, but to what degree they collectively influence risk to the 
entire species, our assessment integrates the cumulative effects of the 
factors and replaces a standalone cumulative effects analysis.

Determination of Relict Darter Status

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing 
regulations (50 CFR part 424) set forth the procedures for determining 
whether a species meets the definition of ``endangered species'' or 
``threatened species.'' The Act defines an endangered species as a 
species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant 
portion of its range, and a threatened species as a species that is 
likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future 
throughout all or a significant portion of its range. For a more 
detailed discussion on the factors considered when determining whether 
a species meets the definition of an endangered species or a threatened 
species and our analysis on how we determine the foreseeable future in 
making these decisions, please see Regulatory and Analytical Framework.

Status Throughout All of Its Range

    After evaluating threats to the species and assessing the 
cumulative effect of the threats under the section 4(a)(1) factors, we 
conclude that the risk factors acting on the relict darter and its 
habitat, either singly or in combination, are not of sufficient 
imminence, intensity, or magnitude to indicate that the species is in 
danger of extinction (an endangered species) throughout all of its 
range. As described in Current Condition, the relict darter is 
naturally a narrow endemic species. Its low species redundancy and 
representation are tempered by the moderate resiliency of the Bayou de 
Chien/Jackson Creek population, which has high relict darter abundance 
and evidence of continued reproduction. The increased population size 
and successful recruitment trends have improved based on surveys

[[Page 12068]]

completed during the past decade. Further, this moderately resilient 
population has survived threats, primarily because conservation efforts 
over the past three decades have improved and protected habitat within 
the system, thus enabling the breeding, feeding, and sheltering needs 
of the relict darter to be met and thus sustaining the population over 
time. The Service continues to work with partners on these projects. 
Additionally, a second population in the Little Bayou de Chein was 
discovered in 2017. While this newly discovered population has low 
resiliency, the addition of a second population adds to the species' 
redundancy. The current resiliency of the Jackson Creek/Bayou de Chien 
population, with a population size that has doubled in the past decade 
to nearly 23,000 relict darters showing evidence of reproduction and 
successful recruitment, along with the added redundancy of the newly 
discovered Little Bayou de Chien population and the reduced habitat 
threats, indicate that the species is not currently in danger of 
extinction. Therefore, after assessing the best available information, 
we conclude that the relict darter no longer meets the Act's definition 
of an endangered species.
    However, the species still faces threats. Our analysis of the 
relict darter's current condition shows that while the species has 
maintained resiliency since it was listed in 1993, it is now 
represented by only two populations in one watershed, thus redundancy 
is inherently low. The species also has low representation based on its 
reduced genetic diversity and low effective population size (Factor E), 
likely a result of a population bottleneck caused by extensive 
channelization and habitat disturbance throughout the Bayou de Chien 
system in the early 20th century. Habitat loss and degradation through 
stream channel disturbance, removal of riparian vegetation, and 
pollution continue to affect the species (Factor A), even though 
conservation actions over the past three decades have led to improved 
habitat conditions in portions of the Bayou de Chien mainstem and 
Jackson Creek, contributing to moderate resiliency for the larger 
population. The relict darter has benefited from protection as an 
endangered species under the Act, and improvements in water quality and 
habitat conditions stemming from both national and Kentucky statutes 
and regulations; however, these regulations have not prevented the 
degradation of some habitats used by the species (Factor D). The 
primary threats that are currently acting on the species are expected 
to continue into the future, climate change (Factor E) is expected to 
exacerbate existing threats, and the species' low redundancy and low 
representation put the species at risk of extinction throughout all of 
its range in the foreseeable future. Fifty years was considered 
``foreseeable'' in this case because it included projections from 
available models and was biologically meaningful to the species. We can 
reasonably determine within this 50-year timeframe that both the 
threats as presented in the models of predicted urbanization, land use, 
and climate change and the species' responses to those threats are 
likely.
    The range of plausible future scenarios of relict darter habitat 
conditions and water quality factors suggest slightly variable 
resilience into the future. Under the continuation of current trend 
scenario (Scenario 1), resiliency remains low or moderate in the two 
populations, with redundancy and representation remaining low. Under 
the improving trend scenario (Scenario 2), resiliency improves for both 
populations, with habitat conditions predicted to improve because of an 
increased percentage of forested land with both reduced percentages of 
agricultural land and urbanization, along with reduced climate change 
rates. Representation remains low under this scenario, but redundancy 
improves because of reintroduction of the species into historical 
habitats or natural expansion within the system. There is greater 
uncertainty regarding the species' future status, primarily due to 
conservation action implementation with this scenario than in the other 
two future scenarios. Under the worsening trend scenario (Scenario 3), 
resiliency is low in the one remaining population, and one population 
is likely extirpated resulting in reduced redundancy and low 
representation. This expected reduction in both the number and 
distribution of resilient populations is likely to increase the 
species' vulnerability to both stochastic and catastrophic 
disturbances. Compared to the other two scenarios, the conditions from 
Scenario 3 were considered more likely to contribute to the future 
condition of the species, primarily because of expected continued 
sedimentation and water quality degradation combined with the expected 
synergistic effects of climate change in the future.
    In summary, while the relict darter's viability has improved over 
time (see Conservation Efforts), three major factors that are 
influencing the viability of the species are expected to affect it into 
the future: Habitat loss and degradation, restricted range/isolation, 
and climate change. Habitat loss and degradation resulting from 
siltation, channelization/riparian vegetation removal, drainage of 
riparian wetlands, and water quality degradation (pollution) pose the 
largest risk to the current and future viability of the relict darter. 
With the plausibility of future land use changes that could impact 
instream habitat and water quality, the projected worsening climate 
conditions, and given the inherently low redundancy that increases 
vulnerability to catastrophic events, the relict darter is at risk of 
extinction within the next 50 years. Thus, after assessing the best 
available information, we conclude that the relict darter is not 
currently in danger of extinction, but it is likely to become in danger 
of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all of its 
range.

Status Throughout a Significant Portion of Its Range

    Under the Act and our implementing regulations, a species may 
warrant listing if it is in danger of extinction or likely to become so 
in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of 
its range. The court in Center for Biological Diversity v. Everson, 
2020 WL 437289 (D.D.C. Jan. 28, 2020) (Center for Biological 
Diversity), vacated the aspect of the Final Policy on Interpretation of 
the Phrase ``Significant Portion of Its Range'' in the Endangered 
Species Act's Definitions of ``Endangered Species'' and ``Threatened 
Species'' (79 FR 37578; July 1, 2014) that provided that the Service 
does not undertake an analysis of significant portions of a species' 
range if the species warrants listing as threatened throughout all of 
its range. Therefore, we proceed to evaluating whether the species is 
endangered in a significant portion of its range--that is, whether 
there is any portion of the species' range for which both (1) the 
portion is significant; and (2) the species is in danger of extinction 
in that portion. Depending on the case, it might be more efficient for 
us to address either the ``significance'' question or the ``status'' 
question first. We can choose to address either question first. 
Regardless of which question we address first, if we reach a negative 
answer with respect to the first question that we address, we do not 
need to evaluate the other question for that portion of the species' 
range.
    Following the court's holding in Center for Biological Diversity, 
we now consider whether there are any

[[Page 12069]]

significant portions of the species' range where the species is in 
danger of extinction now (i.e., endangered). In undertaking this 
analysis for relict darter, we choose to address the significance 
question first. First we assessed the two portions of the range (Bayou 
de Chien/Jackson Creek and Little Bayou de Chien). In the absence of a 
definition of significance, we determined significance on a case-by-
case basis for the relict darter using a reasonable interpretation of 
significance and providing a rational basis for our determination. In 
doing so, we considered what is currently observed about the 
contributions made by each geographic portion in terms of biological 
factors, focusing on the importance of each in supporting the continued 
viability of the species. We evaluated whether these areas occupy 
relatively large or particularly high-quality or unique habitat. As a 
narrow ranging endemic, both relict darter populations occur within one 
214-mi\2\ (554-km\2\) watershed in three counties in southwestern 
Kentucky (Service 2020a, p. 17), and Little Bayou de Chien is a 
tributary to Bayou de Chien. We determined that the Bayou de Chien/
Jackson Creek portion is significant, as it is large geographically 
relative to the entire range of the species, it contains high quality/
high value habitat for the species, and it contains habitat essential 
to the relict darter's life history, and therefore is important for the 
overall conservation of the species. We determined that the Little 
Bayou de Chien portion is not significant, as it constitutes a very 
small portion of the range and does not represent unique or high 
quality habitat for the relict darter.
    Since we determined that Bayou de Chein/Jackson Creek is a 
significant portion, we next evaluate whether the relict darter is in 
danger of extinction (i.e., endangered) in that portion. Since there 
are only two portions, and since Little Bayou de Chien was determined 
to not be significant, then the Bayou de Chien/Jackson Creek portion 
drove our initial status determination of threatened for the relict 
darter, and therefore that portion does not have a different status 
than the entire range. Furthermore, the threats the relict darter faces 
are not concentrated in any portion of the range, rather the threats 
affect the entire narrow range of the species. Habitat loss and 
degradation resulting from siltation, channelization/riparian 
vegetation removal, drainage of riparian wetlands, and water quality 
degradation (pollution) pose the largest risk to viability of the 
relict darter throughout its entire range. Based on this, there are no 
portions of the species' range that provide a basis for determining 
that the species is in danger of extinction in a significant portion of 
its range, and we determine that the species is likely to become in 
danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all of 
its range. This is consistent with the courts' holdings in Desert 
Survivors v. Department of the Interior, No. 16-cv-01165-JCS, 2018 WL 
4053447 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 24, 2018), and Center for Biological Diversity 
v. Jewell, 248 F. Supp. 3d, 946, 959 (D. Ariz. 2017).

Determination of Status

    Our review of the best scientific and commercial data available 
indicates that the relict darter meets the definition of a threatened 
species. Therefore, we propose to reclassify the relict darter as a 
threatened species in accordance with sections 3(20) and 4(a)(1) of the 
Act.

Proposed Rule Issued Under Section 4(d) of the Act

Background

    Section 4(d) of the Act contains two sentences. The first sentence 
states that the Secretary shall issue such regulations as she deems 
necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of species 
listed as threatened. The U.S. Supreme Court has noted that statutory 
language like ``necessary and advisable'' demonstrates a large degree 
of deference to the agency (see Webster v. Doe, 486 U.S. 592 (1988)). 
Conservation is defined in the Act to mean the use of all methods and 
procedures which are necessary to bring any endangered species or 
threatened species to the point at which the measures provided pursuant 
to the Act are no longer necessary. Additionally, the second sentence 
of section 4(d) of the Act states that the Secretary may by regulation 
prohibit with respect to any threatened species any act prohibited 
under section 9(a)(1), in the case of fish or wildlife, or section 
9(a)(2), in the case of plants. Thus, the combination of the two 
sentences of section 4(d) provides the Secretary with wide latitude of 
discretion to select and promulgate appropriate regulations tailored to 
the specific conservation needs of the threatened species. The second 
sentence grants particularly broad discretion to us when adopting the 
prohibitions under section 9 of the Act.
    The courts have recognized the extent of the Secretary's discretion 
under this standard to develop rules that are appropriate for the 
conservation of a species. For example, courts have upheld rules 
developed under section 4(d) as a valid exercise of agency authority 
where they prohibited take of threatened wildlife, or include a limited 
taking prohibition (see Alsea Valley Alliance v. Lautenbacher, 2007 
U.S. Dist. Lexis 60203 (D. Or. 2007); Washington Environmental Council 
v. National Marine Fisheries Service, 2002 U.S. Dist. Lexis 5432 (W.D. 
Wash. 2002)). Courts have also upheld 4(d) rules that do not address 
all of the threats a species faces (see State of Louisiana v. Verity, 
853 F.2d 322 (5th Cir. 1988)). As noted in the legislative history when 
the Act was initially enacted, once an animal is on the threatened 
list, the Secretary has an almost infinite number of options available 
to her with regard to the permitted activities for those species. She 
may, for example, permit taking, but not importation of such species, 
or she may choose to forbid both taking and importation but allow the 
transportation of such species (H.R. Rep. No. 412, 93rd Cong., 1st 
Sess. 1973).
    Exercising this authority under section 4(d), we have developed a 
proposed rule that is designed to address the relict darter's specific 
threats and conservation needs. Although the statute does not require 
us to make a ``necessary and advisable'' finding with respect to the 
adoption of specific prohibitions under section 9, we find that this 
rule as a whole satisfies the requirement in section 4(d) of the Act to 
issue regulations deemed necessary and advisable to provide for the 
conservation of the relict darter. As discussed under Summary of 
Biological Status and Threats, we have concluded that the relict darter 
is no longer currently at risk of extinction, but is still likely to 
become in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future, primarily 
due to habitat degradation and loss stemming from siltation, 
channelization and riparian vegetation removal, riparian wetland 
drainage, and water quality degradation. These threats contribute to 
the negative effects associated with the species' restricted range and 
effects of climate change. The provisions of this proposed 4(d) rule 
would promote conservation of the relict darter by providing continued 
protection from take and encouraging management of the landscape in 
ways that meet both watershed and riparian management considerations 
and the conservation needs of the relict darter. The provisions of this 
rule are one of many tools that we would use to promote the 
conservation of the relict darter.
    This proposed 4(d) rule would apply only if and when we make final 
the reclassification of the relict darter as a

[[Page 12070]]

threatened species. Finally, the only portion of this proposed rule 
that would have regulatory effect if the rule is made final is the text 
set forth in the rule portion of this document (i.e., the text we 
propose to revise Sec.  17.44 in title 50 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR)). The explanatory text in the Provisions of the 
Proposed 4(d) Rule section below merely clarifies the intent of these 
proposed amendments to the CFR.

Provisions of the Proposed 4(d) Rule

    This proposed 4(d) rule would provide for the conservation of the 
relict darter by adopting the same prohibitions that apply to an 
endangered species under section 9 of the Act and 50 CFR 17.21. Except 
as otherwise authorized or permitted, this proposed 4(d) rule would 
continue to prohibit importing or exporting; take; possession and other 
acts with unlawfully taken specimens; delivering, receiving, 
transporting, or shipping in interstate or foreign commerce in the 
course of commercial activity; and selling or offering for sale in 
interstate or foreign commerce. The prohibitions would apply throughout 
the species' range.
    Identical to the regulations that apply under endangered status, 
the prohibitions in this proposed 4(d) rule would prohibit all forms of 
take within the United States. Under the Act, ``take'' means to harass, 
harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or 
to attempt to engage in any such conduct. Some of these provisions have 
been further defined in regulations at 50 CFR 17.3. Take can result 
knowingly or otherwise, by direct and indirect impacts, intentionally 
or incidentally. Regulating intentional and incidental take would help 
preserve the species' remaining populations, enable beneficial 
management actions to occur, and decrease synergistic, negative effects 
from other stressors.
    It is our policy, as published in the Federal Register on July 1, 
1994 (59 FR 34272), to identify to the maximum extent practicable at 
the time a species is listed, those activities that would or would not 
constitute a violation of section 9 of the Act. The intent of this 
policy is to increase public awareness of the effect of a proposed 
listing on proposed and ongoing activities within the range of the 
species proposed for listing. The discussion below regarding protective 
regulations under section 4(d) of the Act complies with our policy.
    In this 4(d) rule, we propose to prohibit intentional take, 
including capturing and handling, because these activities require 
training and experience. Such activities include, but are not limited 
to, monitoring and research involving capturing and handling relict 
darters. While these activities are important to relict darter 
recovery, there are proper techniques for capturing and handling fish 
that require training and experience. Improper capture or handling can 
cause injury or even result in death of relict darters. Therefore, to 
ensure that these activities continue to be conducted correctly by 
properly trained personnel, the proposed 4(d) rule would prohibit 
intentional take; however, these activities could be covered under a 
section 10(a)(1)(A) permit.
    Threats to the species are noted above and described in detail 
under Summary of Biological Status and Threats. The most significant 
threat expected to affect the species in the foreseeable future is 
habitat loss and degradation from siltation, channelization and 
riparian vegetation removal, drainage of riparian wetlands, and water 
quality degradation. Some activities have the potential to affect the 
relict darter, including agriculture and land development. These 
activities may result in incidental take through increases in 
siltation, diminishing water quality, altering stream flow, and 
reducing fish passage. Therefore, in this 4(d) rule, we propose 
prohibiting take to help preserve the relict darter's remaining 
populations, slow the rate of population decline, preserve and 
potentially provide for expansion of the population, and decrease 
synergistic, negative effects from other stressors.
    We may issue permits to carry out otherwise prohibited activities, 
including those described above, involving threatened wildlife under 
certain circumstances. Regulations governing permits are codified at 50 
CFR 17.32. With regard to threatened wildlife, a permit may be issued 
for the following purposes: Scientific purposes, to enhance propagation 
or survival, for economic hardship, for zoological exhibition, for 
educational purposes, for incidental taking, or for special purposes 
consistent with the purposes of the Act.

Exceptions

    The proposed 4(d) rule would also provide for the conservation of 
the species by incorporating several exceptions to allow for routine 
enforcement activities, allow for assisting sick or injured fish, and 
encourage the active habitat management this species uniquely requires. 
The statute also contains certain statutory exemptions from the 
prohibitions, which are found in sections 9 and 10 of the Act, and 
other regulatory exceptions from the prohibitions, which are found in 
our regulations at 50 CFR part 17, subparts C and D. Below, we describe 
these exceptions to the prohibitions that we are proposing for the 
relict darter.
    To start, the proposed rule outlines several regulatory exceptions 
to the prohibitions for the relict darter. These exceptions already 
apply while the species is listed as endangered; they would continue to 
apply if the Service finalizes a rule to reclassify the species as 
threatened because they advance the recovery of the species. First, the 
proposed rule excepts take associated with activities that are 
authorized by permits under Sec.  17.32. This means that if a manager 
has received or receives a permit for a particular activity (e.g., a 
section 10(a)(1)(A) permit for monitoring relict darters), any take 
that occurs as a result of activities covered by this permit remains 
excepted from the prohibitions on take under the issued permit; in 
other words, the manager would not be liable for any take for which the 
manager already has a permit.
    Second, the proposed rule incorporates certain regulatory 
exceptions that allow take by representatives of the Service or of a 
State conservation agency to aid a sick specimen or to dispose of, 
salvage, or remove a dead specimen that is reported to the Office of 
Law Enforcement; and take by Federal and State law enforcement officers 
performing their official duties to possess, deliver, carry, transport, 
or ship any relict darters taken in violation of the Act, as necessary. 
All of the proposed standard exceptions for endangered species 
currently apply while the species is listed as endangered.
    Next, the proposed 4(d) rule incorporates a regulatory exception 
that does not currently apply while the relict darter is listed as 
endangered (the exception from Sec.  17.31(b)); the Service can apply 
this standard exception only to take prohibitions for threatened 
species. The proposed rule allows employees of State conservation 
agencies operating under a cooperative agreement with the Service in 
accordance with section 6(c) of the Act to take relict darters in order 
to carry out conservation programs for the species. We recognize the 
special and unique relationship with our State natural resource agency 
partners in contributing to conservation of listed species. State 
agencies often possess scientific data and valuable expertise on the 
status and distribution of endangered, threatened, and candidate 
species of wildlife and

[[Page 12071]]

plants. State agencies, because of their authorities and their close 
working relationships with local governments and landowners, are in a 
unique position to assist us in implementing all aspects of the Act. In 
this regard, section 6 of the Act provides that we shall cooperate to 
the maximum extent practicable with the States in carrying out programs 
authorized by the Act. Therefore, any qualified employee or agent of a 
State conservation agency that is a party to a cooperative agreement 
with us in accordance with section 6(c) of the Act, who is designated 
by his or her agency for such purposes, will be able to conduct 
activities designed to conserve the relict darter that may result in 
otherwise prohibited take without additional authorization.
    Finally, unlike the regulations that apply to the species under 
endangered status, the proposed 4(d) rule provides species-specific 
exceptions to the standard take prohibitions in the proposed rule; 
these species-specific exceptions would facilitate continued and 
increased implementation of beneficial management practices that 
provide for conservation of the species. Within each occupied stream, 
restoration actions will promote expansion of the relict darter's range 
and reduce the fragmentation and isolation of populations. These 
actions can reduce stressors that impact the relict darter, including 
runoff of siltation and pollution, and may (through riparian 
reforestation) mediate local water temperatures expected to increase 
with climate change. Incidental take associated with habitat 
restoration actions excepted by the proposed 4(d) rule may result in 
some minimal level of harm or temporary disturbance to the relict 
darter. For example, a culvert replacement project would likely elevate 
suspended sediments for several hours, and the darters would need to 
move out of the sediment plume to resume normal feeding behavior. 
Because 4(d) rule exceptions would not apply during the relict darter's 
4-month spawning period, a critical phase of the species' life history, 
the potential for incidental take is further minimized.
    Overall, these activities benefit the species by expanding suitable 
habitat and reducing within-population fragmentation, contributing to 
conservation and recovery. Consistent with all of the proposed 
exceptions and based on the best available information, our proposed 
4(d) rule excepts incidental take associated with the following 
activities, if carried out in accordance with existing regulations and 
permit requirements, and conducted outside the March through June 
spawning season:
    <bullet> Channel restoration or improvement projects that create 
natural, physically stable, ecologically functioning streams (or stream 
and wetland systems) that are reconnected with their groundwater 
aquifers and, if the projects involve known relict darter spawning 
habitat, take place between June 30 and March 1. These projects can be 
accomplished using a variety of methods, but the desired outcome is a 
natural channel with low shear stress (force of water moving against 
the channel); bank heights that enable reconnection to the floodplain; 
a reconnection of surface and groundwater systems, resulting in 
perennial flows in the channel; riffles and pools composed of existing 
soil, rock, and wood instead of large imported materials; low 
compaction of soils within adjacent riparian areas; and inclusion of 
riparian wetlands.
    <bullet> Streambank stabilization projects that use bioengineering 
methods to replace preexisting, bare, eroding stream banks with 
vegetated, stable stream banks, thereby reducing bank erosion and 
instream sedimentation and improving habitat conditions for the 
species. Stream banks may be stabilized using native live stakes (live, 
vegetative cuttings inserted or tamped into the ground in a manner that 
allows the stake to take root and grow), native live fascines (live 
branch cuttings, usually willows, bound together into long, cigar-
shaped bundles), or brush layering (cuttings or branches of easily 
rooted tree species layered between successive lifts of soil fill). 
Stream banks must not be stabilized through the use of quarried rock 
(rip-rap) or the use of rock baskets or gabion structures.
    <bullet> Bridge and culvert replacement/removal projects or low 
head dam removal projects that remove migration barriers or generally 
allow for improved upstream and downstream movements of relict darters 
while maintaining normal stream flows, preventing bed and bank erosion, 
and improving habitat conditions for the species.
    <bullet> Transportation projects that incorporate State-approved 
BMPs that eliminate sedimentation, do not block stream flow, do not 
channelize streams, and that are for the purposes of providing for fish 
passage under a wide range of hydrologic conditions at stream crossings 
(University of Kentucky Transportation Center 2009, entire).
    <bullet> Projects carried out in the species' range by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service that 
do not alter habitats known to be used by the relict darter beyond the 
fish's tolerances.
    Nothing in this proposed 4(d) rule would change in any way the 
recovery planning provisions of section 4(f) of the Act, the 
consultation requirements under section 7 of the Act, or the ability of 
the Service to enter into partnerships for the management and 
protection of the relict darter. However, interagency cooperation may 
be further streamlined through planned programmatic consultations for 
the species between Federal agencies and the Service, where 
appropriate. We ask the public, particularly State agencies and other 
interested stakeholders that may be affected by the proposed 4(d) rule, 
to provide comments and suggestions regarding additional guidance and 
methods that the Service could provide or use, respectively, to 
streamline the implementation of this proposed 4(d) rule (see 
Information Requested).

Required Determinations

Clarity of the Rule

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the 
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain 
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
    (1) Be logically organized;
    (2) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (3) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (4) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (5) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. To better help us 
revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as possible. For 
example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections or paragraphs 
that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences are too long, 
the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, etc.

National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)

    We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental 
impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), need not be 
prepared in connection with determining a species' listing status under 
the Endangered Species Act. We published a notice outlining our reasons 
for this determination in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 
FR

[[Page 12072]]

49244). We also determine that 4(d) rules that accompany regulations 
adopted pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act are not subject to the 
National Environmental Policy Act.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994 
(Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments), and the Department of the 
Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our 
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal 
Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In accordance with 
Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Rights, 
Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act), 
we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly with 
Tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge 
that Tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as Federal 
public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to make 
information available to Tribes. There are no known Tribes within the 
range of the relict darter.

References Cited

    A complete list of references cited in this proposed rulemaking is 
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

Authors

    The primary authors of this proposed rule are the staff members of 
the Fish and Wildlife Service's Species Assessment Team and the 
Kentucky Ecological Services Field Office.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Plants, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

    Accordingly, we propose to amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter 
I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 17--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 1531-1544; and 4201-4245, unless 
otherwise noted.

0
2. Amend Sec.  17.11, in paragraph (h), by revising the entry for 
``Darter, relict'' under Fishes on the List of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife to read as follows:


Sec.  17.11  Endangered and threatened wildlife.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Listing citations and
           Common name              Scientific name      Where listed         Status         applicable rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
             Fishes
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Darter, relict..................  Etheostoma          Wherever found....  T              58 FR 68480, 12/27/
                                   chienense.                                             1993; [Federal
                                                                                          Register citation of
                                                                                          the final rule]; 50
                                                                                          CFR 17.44(hh) \4d\.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
3. Further amend Sec.  17.44, as proposed to be amended on November 19, 
2020, at at 85 FR 74050, on November 12, 2020, at 85 FR 71859, and on 
July 7, 2021, at 86 FR 35708, by adding a paragraph (hh) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  17.44  Special rules--fishes.

* * * * *
    (hh) Relict darter (Etheostoma chienense).
    (1) Prohibitions. The following prohibitions that apply to 
endangered wildlife also apply to relict darter. Except as provided 
under paragraph (hh)(2) of this section and Sec. Sec.  17.4 and 17.5, 
it is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
States to commit, to attempt to commit, to solicit another to commit, 
or cause to be committed, any of the following acts in regard to this 
species:
    (i) Import or export, as set forth at Sec.  17.21(b) for endangered 
wildlife.
    (ii) Take, as set forth at Sec.  17.21(c)(1) for endangered 
wildlife.
    (iii) Possession and other acts with unlawfully taken specimens, as 
set forth at Sec.  17.21(d)(1) for endangered wildlife.
    (iv) Interstate or foreign commerce in the course of commercial 
activity, as set forth at Sec.  17.21(e) for endangered wildlife.
    (v) Sale or offer for sale, as set forth at Sec.  17.21(f) for 
endangered wildlife.
    (2) Exceptions from prohibitions. In regard to this species, you 
may:
    (i) Conduct activities as authorized by a permit under Sec.  17.32.
    (ii) Take, as set forth at Sec.  17.21(c)(2) through (4) for 
endangered wildlife.
    (iii) Take as set forth at Sec.  17.31(b).
    (iv) Take incidental to an otherwise lawful activity caused by:
    (A) Channel restoration or improvement projects that create 
natural, physically stable, ecologically functioning streams (or stream 
and wetland systems) that are reconnected with their groundwater 
aquifers and, if the projects involve known relict darter spawning 
habitat, that take place between June 30 and March 1. These projects 
can be accomplished using a variety of methods, but the desired outcome 
is a natural channel with low shear stress (force of water moving 
against the channel); bank heights that enable reconnection to the 
floodplain; a reconnection of surface and groundwater systems, 
resulting in perennial flows in the channel; riffles and pools composed 
of existing soil, rock, and wood instead of large imported materials; 
low compaction of soils within adjacent riparian areas; and inclusion 
of riparian wetlands.
    (B) Streambank stabilization projects that use bioengineering 
methods to replace preexisting, bare, eroding stream banks with 
vegetated, stable stream banks, thereby reducing bank erosion and 
instream sedimentation and improving habitat conditions for the species 
and, if the projects involve known relict darter spawning habitat, that 
take place between June 30 and March 1. Stream banks may be stabilized 
using native live stakes (live, vegetative cuttings inserted or tamped 
into the ground in a manner that allows the stake to take root and 
grow), native live fascines (live branch cuttings, usually willows, 
bound together into long, cigar-shaped bundles), or brush layering 
(cuttings or branches of easily

[[Page 12073]]

rooted tree species layered between successive lifts of soil fill). 
Stream banks must not be stabilized through the use of quarried rock 
(rip-rap) or the use of rock baskets or gabion structures.
    (C) Bridge and culvert replacement/removal projects or low head dam 
removal projects that remove migration barriers or generally allow for 
improved upstream and downstream movements of relict darters while 
maintaining normal stream flows, preventing bed and bank erosion, and 
improving habitat conditions for the species, if completed between June 
30 and March 1.
    (D) Transportation projects that follow best management practices 
that eliminate sedimentation, do not block stream flow, do not 
channelize streams, and provide for fish passage under a wide range of 
hydrologic conditions at stream crossings and that are done between 
June 30 and March 1.
    (E) Projects carried out in the species' range by the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, that:
    (1) Do not alter habitats known to be used by the relict darter 
beyond the fish's tolerances; and
    (2) Are performed between June 30 and March 1 to avoid the time 
period when the relict darter will be found within its spawning 
habitat, if such habitat is affected by the activity.
    (v) Possess and engage in other acts with unlawfully taken 
wildlife, as set forth at Sec.  17.21(d)(2) for endangered wildlife.

Martha Williams,
Principal Deputy Director, Exercising the Delegated Authority of the 
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03315 Filed 3-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P