Endangered and threatened species: Pecos pupfish,

[Federal Register: December 28, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 248)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 71424-71425]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr28de98-26]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period and availability of draft conservation agreement.

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that the public comment period on the proposal to list the Pecos pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis) as an endangered species is reopened. The Service, in cooperation with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico State Parks Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Bureau of Reclamation, has formulated a draft Conservation Agreement that may provide significant new information concerning the threats to the survival of the species. The reopening of the comment period will allow all interested parties to submit comments on the proposal and the draft Conservation Agreement. The draft Conservation Agreement is available for

[[Page 71425]]

review (see ADDRESSES), and we are seeking comments or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties concerning the proposed rule and the draft Conservation Agreement.

DATES: The comment period for this proposal is reopened and will close on January 27, 1999. All comments on the proposal and the draft Conservation Agreement will be accepted through January 27, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and materials should be sent to the Field Supervisor, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection during normal business hours, by appointment, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Fowler-Propst, Field Supervisor, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, at the above address (505) 346-2525. A copy of the draft Conservation Agreement for the Pecos pupfish can be requested by writing to the above address or calling (800) 299-0196.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Pecos pupfish was proposed for listing as an endangered species on January 30, 1998 (63 FR 4608). A public hearing on the proposal was held in Carlsbad, New Mexico on April 9, 1998. During the extended public comment period (January 30 to November 20, 1998), we contacted State and Federal land and resource management agencies in New Mexico and Texas to determine if adequate protections could be implemented through a Conservation Agreement. The draft Conservation Agreement formulated by these agencies is available for public review (see ADDRESSES). The Agreement and any comments received concerning it will be fully considered by the Service in determining if the threats upon which the proposal to list the species was based have been sufficiently addressed.

The draft Conservation Agreement sets forth the commitments of State and Federal agencies to control nonnative competing species and to protect and manage the Pecos pupfish and its habitat to ensure its survival and promote its conservation. The Agreement addresses the significant threats to the species arising from its small, isolated populations and from the potential for hybridization with the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus). The signatory agencies to the Agreement have made commitments to protect known extant populations of pure Pecos pupfish, expand the distribution of the species within its native range by establishing new populations, and to prohibit the use of sheepshead minnow through revision of baitfish regulations in New Mexico and Texas. If these commitments are adequate in removing the identified threats to the Pecos pupfish, listing of the species may not be required.

Author

The primary author of this document is Jennifer Fowler-Propst, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).

Authority

The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1532 et seq.).

Dated: December 18, 1998. Renne Lohoefener, Acting Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 98-34213Filed12-24-98; 8:45 am]

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