83 FR 14289 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for the Cumberland Darter
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 64 (April 3, 2018)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 64 (April 3, 2018)
| Page Range | 14289-14290 | |
| FR Document | 2018-06631 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 14289-14290] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-06631] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R4-ES-2017-N089; FXES11130400000C2-178-FF04E00000] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for the Cumberland Darter AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for the endangered Cumberland darter, a fish. The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria that will guide the process of recovery under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public. DATES: In order to be considered, comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or before June 4, 2018. ADDRESSES: Reviewing documents: If you wish to review this technical/agency draft recovery plan, you may obtain a copy by contacting Michael Floyd, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky Ecological Services Field Office, 330 West Broadway, Suite 265, Frankfort, KY 40601; tel. 502- 695-0468; or by visiting the Service's Kentucky Field Office website at http://www.fws.gov/frankfort/ frankfort/. Submitting comments: If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments by one of the following methods: 1. You may submit written comments and materials to us at the Kentucky Field Office address; 2. You may hand-deliver written comments to our Kentucky Field Office, at the above address, or fax them to 502-695-1024; or 3. You may send comments by email to [email protected]. Please include ``Cumberland Darter Draft Recovery Plan Comments'' on the subject line. For additional information about submitting comments, see the Request for Public Comments section. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Floyd (see ADDRESSES). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for the endangered Cumberland darter, a fish. The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria that would be used to delist this fish under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act). We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public. Background The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of species, establish criteria for delisting, and estimate time and cost for implementing recovery measures. Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented during a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. We and other Federal agencies will take these comments into consideration in the course of implementing approved recovery plans. About the Species We listed the Cumberland darter (Etheostoma susanae) as endangered under the Act on September 8, 2011 (76 FR 48722). The Cumberland darter is a small fish endemic to the upper Cumberland River basin, above Cumberland Falls, in Kentucky and Tennessee. Cumberland darters occur in 9 widely separated populations (total of 16 streams) in southeastern Kentucky and north-central Tennessee. No population estimates or status trends are available; however, survey results by Thomas (2007) suggest that the species is uncommon or occurs in low densities across its range. Cumberland darters are known from streams ranging in size from small, second order tributaries to larger, fourth order streams such as Jellico Creek, Whitley County, Kentucky. Little is known of the species' life history or microhabitat suitability, but it is often encountered in pools or shallow runs of low-to-moderate-gradient sections of streams with sand, silt, or sand-covered bedrock substrates. Most of these habitats contain isolated boulders and large cobble that the species likely uses as cover. We designated critical habitat for the Cumberland darter on October 16, 2012 (77 FR 63604). A total of 54 river miles (86 rkm) were designated, including 13 streams in McCreary and Whitley Counties, Kentucky, and Campbell and Scott Counties, Tennessee. Threats The majority of streams within the upper Cumberland River basin have been modified from their historical condition due to a number of anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, logging, residential development, road construction, and surface coal mining. As a result of these activities and associated stressors (e.g., siltation), the Cumberland darter has been extirpated from at least six streams and is now restricted to nine isolated watersheds. Limiting factors include the following: (1) Anthropogenic activities that cause siltation, disturbance of riparian corridors, and changes in channel morphology; (2) water quality degradation caused by a variety of nonpoint-source pollutants; and (3) naturally small population size and reduced geographic range. Recovery Plan Components The primary goal of this recovery plan is to recover Cumberland darter populations to the point that listing under the Act is no longer necessary. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to produce self- sustaining, viable populations that possess healthy, long-term demographic and genetic trends (e.g., evidence of multiple age classes and continued recruitment, high genetic diversity), and that are no longer threatened by any of the factors discussed above. Management Units For this Recovery Plan, we identify nine management units for the Cumberland Darter (refer to the associated Recovery Implementation Strategy, Figure 1). Based on the species' current distribution (refer to the associated Species Biological Report, Figures 1 and 2) and our knowledge of the species' movement patterns, we consider each management unit to [[Page 14290]] represent a separate population. As genetic analyses are completed and more is known about the species' gene flow and genetic structure, it may be necessary to adjust or modify unit boundaries. All stream reaches within the species' historical range that are not specifically identified in the following management units, should not immediately be excluded from recovery activities if new information indicates these areas are necessary to prevent local extirpation or to facilitate recovery. The management units are as follows: Management Unit 1: The boundaries of this management unit correspond to critical habitat units 1 (Bunches Creek) and 2 (Calf Pen Fork), which are located entirely within the Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF). Management Unit 2: The boundaries of this management unit correspond to critical habitat units 7 (Kilburn Fork) and 8 (Laurel Fork). The majority of this management unit (73 percent) is located within the DBNF. Management Unit 3: The boundaries of this management unit correspond to critical habitat unit 6 (Cogur Fork). The majority of this management unit (69 percent) is located within the DBNF. Management Unit 4: The boundaries of this management unit correspond to critical habitat units 4 (Barren Fork) and 5 (Indian Creek), which are located entirely within the DBNF. Management Unit 5: The boundaries of this management unit correspond to critical habitat units 9 (Laurel Creek), 10 (Elisha Branch), and 11 (Jenneys Branch), and a 7.4-km (4.6-mi) segment of Bridge Fork. The majority of this management unit (96 percent) is located within the DBNF. Management Unit 6: This management unit corresponds to critical habitat units 13 (Jellico Creek), 14 (Rock Creek), and 15 (Capuchin Creek). A portion of this management unit (29 percent) is located within the DBNF. Management Unit 7: The boundaries of this management unit correspond to critical habitat unit 3 (Youngs Creek). This unit is located almost entirely on private land, except for any small amount that is publicly owned in the form of bridge crossings and road easements. Management Unit 8: The boundaries of this management unit correspond to critical habitat unit 12 (Wolf Creek). This unit is located almost entirely on private land, except for any small amount that is publicly owned in the form of bridge crossings and road easements. Management Unit 9: This management unit does not correspond to a critical habitat unit because the species was thought to be extirpated from Laurel Fork when the critical habitat rule was published in 2012. The species was rediscovered in Laurel Fork (of Clear Fork) by the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission (KSNPC) and the Service in 2014 (Service unpublished data). This management unit is comprised of an approximate 16.7-km (10.4-mi) reach of Laurel Fork that extends from the mouth of Laurel Fork in Campbell County, Tennessee, upstream to Laurel Fork-Buffalo Creek Road in Whitley County, Kentucky. No collection records exist for the Tennessee portion of this management unit (Campbell and Claiborne Counties); however, recent collection records exist for areas near the Kentucky-Tennessee border, and suitable habitat is present throughout the Tennessee portion of the stream. This unit is located primarily on private property, except for a 6.6-km (4.1-mi) reach on the western side (right descending bank) of Laurel Fork in Archer-Benge State Nature Preserve, a 7.5-km\2\ (1,864- ac) tract in Whitley County, Kentucky, and any small amount that is publicly owned in the form of bridge crossings and road easements. Recovery Criteria The Cumberland darter should be considered for removal from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife when: (1) Management Units 1-9 or Management Units 1-7, 9, and one additional stream within the species' historical range (e.g., Sanders Creek) are determined to be protected from present and foreseeable habitat threats through recovery efforts like land acquisition, conservation agreements and easements, stewardship, outreach, adequate regulatory oversight and enforcement, or other similar actions; (2) Instream habitat quality (substrate, flows, water quality) in these management units is sufficient, as defined by recovery tasks 3.1 and 3.2, to meet the species' life history requirements; and (3) A viable population (as defined in the recovery plan) must occur within each of these management units. Request for Public Comments We request written comments on the draft recovery plan. We will consider all comments we receive by the date specified in DATES prior to final approval of the plan. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533 (f). Dated: March 26, 2018. Leopoldo Miranda, Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 2018-06631 Filed 4-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices 14289
Authority at the above address, or fax them to second order tributaries to larger, fourth
We publish this notice in compliance 502–695–1024; or order streams such as Jellico Creek,
with NEPA and its implementing 3. You may send comments by email Whitley County, Kentucky. Little is
regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 1506.6, and to mike_floyd@fws.gov. Please include known of the species’ life history or
1508.22), and section 10(c) of the ESA ‘‘Cumberland Darter Draft Recovery microhabitat suitability, but it is often
Plan Comments’’ on the subject line. encountered in pools or shallow runs of
(16 U.S.C. 1539(c)).
For additional information about low-to-moderate-gradient sections of
Amy Lueders, submitting comments, see the Request streams with sand, silt, or sand-covered
Regional Director, Southwest Region, for Public Comments section. bedrock substrates. Most of these
Albuquerque, New Mexico. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: habitats contain isolated boulders and
[FR Doc. 2018–06713 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am] Michael Floyd (see ADDRESSES). large cobble that the species likely uses
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P as cover.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the
We designated critical habitat for the
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Cumberland darter on October 16, 2012
announce the availability of the (77 FR 63604). A total of 54 river miles
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
technical/agency draft recovery plan for (86 rkm) were designated, including 13
Fish and Wildlife Service the endangered Cumberland darter, a streams in McCreary and Whitley
fish. The draft recovery plan includes Counties, Kentucky, and Campbell and
[FWS–R4–ES–2017–N089; specific recovery objectives and criteria Scott Counties, Tennessee.
FXES11130400000C2–178–FF04E00000] that would be used to delist this fish
under the Endangered Species Act of Threats
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et The majority of streams within the
and Plants; Technical/Agency Draft seq.; Act). We request review and upper Cumberland River basin have
Recovery Plan for the Cumberland comment on this draft recovery plan been modified from their historical
Darter from local, State, and Federal agencies, condition due to a number of
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, and the public. anthropogenic activities such as
Interior. Background agriculture, logging, residential
ACTION: Notice of availability and development, road construction, and
The Act requires the development of surface coal mining. As a result of these
request for public comment. recovery plans for listed species, unless activities and associated stressors (e.g.,
SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife such a plan would not promote the siltation), the Cumberland darter has
Service (Service), announce the conservation of a particular species. been extirpated from at least six streams
availability of the technical/agency draft Recovery plans describe actions and is now restricted to nine isolated
recovery plan for the endangered considered necessary for conservation of watersheds. Limiting factors include the
Cumberland darter, a fish. The draft species, establish criteria for delisting, following: (1) Anthropogenic activities
recovery plan includes specific recovery and estimate time and cost for that cause siltation, disturbance of
objectives and criteria that will guide implementing recovery measures. riparian corridors, and changes in
the process of recovery under the Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to channel morphology; (2) water quality
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as provide public notice and an degradation caused by a variety of
amended (Act). We request review and opportunity for public review and nonpoint-source pollutants; and (3)
comment on this draft recovery plan comment during recovery plan naturally small population size and
from local, State, and Federal agencies, development. We will consider all reduced geographic range.
and the public. information presented during a public
comment period prior to approval of Recovery Plan Components
DATES: In order to be considered,
each new or revised recovery plan. We The primary goal of this recovery plan
comments on the draft recovery plan
and other Federal agencies will take is to recover Cumberland darter
must be received on or before June 4,
these comments into consideration in populations to the point that listing
2018.
the course of implementing approved under the Act is no longer necessary. To
ADDRESSES: recovery plans. achieve these goals, it is necessary to
Reviewing documents: If you wish to produce self-sustaining, viable
review this technical/agency draft About the Species
populations that possess healthy, long-
recovery plan, you may obtain a copy by We listed the Cumberland darter term demographic and genetic trends
contacting Michael Floyd, U.S. Fish and (Etheostoma susanae) as endangered (e.g., evidence of multiple age classes
Wildlife Service, Kentucky Ecological under the Act on September 8, 2011 (76 and continued recruitment, high genetic
Services Field Office, 330 West FR 48722). The Cumberland darter is a diversity), and that are no longer
Broadway, Suite 265, Frankfort, KY small fish endemic to the upper threatened by any of the factors
40601; tel. 502–695–0468; or by visiting Cumberland River basin, above discussed above.
the Service’s Kentucky Field Office Cumberland Falls, in Kentucky and
website at http://www.fws.gov/ Tennessee. Cumberland darters occur in Management Units
frankfort/. 9 widely separated populations (total of For this Recovery Plan, we identify
Submitting comments: If you wish to 16 streams) in southeastern Kentucky nine management units for the
comment, you may submit your and north-central Tennessee. No Cumberland Darter (refer to the
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
comments by one of the following population estimates or status trends are associated Recovery Implementation
methods: available; however, survey results by Strategy, Figure 1). Based on the
1. You may submit written comments Thomas (2007) suggest that the species species’ current distribution (refer to the
and materials to us at the Kentucky is uncommon or occurs in low densities associated Species Biological Report,
Field Office address; across its range. Figures 1 and 2) and our knowledge of
2. You may hand-deliver written Cumberland darters are known from the species’ movement patterns, we
comments to our Kentucky Field Office, streams ranging in size from small, consider each management unit to
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![14290 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices
represent a separate population. As to a critical habitat unit because the personal identifying information in your
genetic analyses are completed and species was thought to be extirpated comment, you should be aware that
more is known about the species’ gene from Laurel Fork when the critical your entire comment—including your
flow and genetic structure, it may be habitat rule was published in 2012. The personal identifying information—may
necessary to adjust or modify unit species was rediscovered in Laurel Fork be made publicly available at any time.
boundaries. All stream reaches within (of Clear Fork) by the Kentucky State While you can ask us in your comment
the species’ historical range that are not Nature Preserves Commission (KSNPC) to withhold your personal identifying
specifically identified in the following and the Service in 2014 (Service information from public review, we
management units, should not unpublished data). This management cannot guarantee that we will be able to
immediately be excluded from recovery unit is comprised of an approximate do so.
activities if new information indicates 16.7-km (10.4-mi) reach of Laurel Fork
Authority
these areas are necessary to prevent that extends from the mouth of Laurel
local extirpation or to facilitate Fork in Campbell County, Tennessee, The authority for this action is section
recovery. upstream to Laurel Fork–Buffalo Creek 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16
The management units are as follows: Road in Whitley County, Kentucky. No U.S.C. 1533 (f).
Management Unit 1: The boundaries collection records exist for the Dated: March 26, 2018.
of this management unit correspond to Tennessee portion of this management Leopoldo Miranda,
critical habitat units 1 (Bunches Creek) unit (Campbell and Claiborne Counties); Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
and 2 (Calf Pen Fork), which are located however, recent collection records exist
[FR Doc. 2018–06631 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am]
entirely within the Daniel Boone for areas near the Kentucky-Tennessee
National Forest (DBNF). BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
border, and suitable habitat is present
Management Unit 2: The boundaries throughout the Tennessee portion of the
of this management unit correspond to stream. This unit is located primarily on
critical habitat units 7 (Kilburn Fork) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
private property, except for a 6.6-km
and 8 (Laurel Fork). The majority of this (4.1-mi) reach on the western side (right Bureau of Land Management
management unit (73 percent) is located descending bank) of Laurel Fork in
within the DBNF. Archer-Benge State Nature Preserve, a [LLIDC00000.18XL1109AF.
Management Unit 3: The boundaries L10100000.DF0000.241A0; 4500118259]
7.5-km2 (1,864-ac) tract in Whitley
of this management unit correspond to County, Kentucky, and any small
critical habitat unit 6 (Cogur Fork). The Notice of Public Meeting, Coeur
amount that is publicly owned in the d’Alene District Resource Advisory
majority of this management unit (69 form of bridge crossings and road
percent) is located within the DBNF. Council, Idaho
easements.
Management Unit 4: The boundaries AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
of this management unit correspond to Recovery Criteria Interior.
critical habitat units 4 (Barren Fork) and The Cumberland darter should be ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
5 (Indian Creek), which are located considered for removal from the List of
entirely within the DBNF. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Management Unit 5: The boundaries when: Federal Land Policy and Management
of this management unit correspond to (1) Management Units 1–9 or Act of 1976, the Federal Advisory
critical habitat units 9 (Laurel Creek), 10 Management Units 1–7, 9, and one Committee Act of 1972, and the Federal
(Elisha Branch), and 11 (Jenneys additional stream within the species’ Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of
Branch), and a 7.4-km (4.6-mi) segment historical range (e.g., Sanders Creek) are 2004 (FLREA), the U.S. Department of
of Bridge Fork. The majority of this determined to be protected from present the Interior, Bureau of Land
management unit (96 percent) is located and foreseeable habitat threats through Management (BLM) Coeur d’Alene
within the DBNF. recovery efforts like land acquisition, District Resource Advisory Council
Management Unit 6: This conservation agreements and easements, (RAC) will meet as indicated below.
management unit corresponds to critical stewardship, outreach, adequate DATES: The Coeur d’Alene District RAC
habitat units 13 (Jellico Creek), 14 (Rock regulatory oversight and enforcement, or will meet Thursday, April 19, 2018. The
Creek), and 15 (Capuchin Creek). A other similar actions; meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and end no
portion of this management unit (29 (2) Instream habitat quality (substrate, later than 4 p.m. The public comment
percent) is located within the DBNF. flows, water quality) in these period will take place from 2 p.m. to
Management Unit 7: The boundaries management units is sufficient, as 2:30 p.m.
of this management unit correspond to defined by recovery tasks 3.1 and 3.2, to
critical habitat unit 3 (Youngs Creek). ADDRESSES: The Coeur d’Alene District
meet the species’ life history RAC will meet at the BLM Coeur
This unit is located almost entirely on requirements; and
private land, except for any small d’Alene District Office, 3815 Schreiber
(3) A viable population (as defined in
amount that is publicly owned in the Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.
the recovery plan) must occur within
form of bridge crossings and road each of these management units. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
easements. Suzanne Endsley, RAC Coordinator,
Management Unit 8: The boundaries Request for Public Comments Coeur d’Alene District, 3815 Schreiber
of this management unit correspond to We request written comments on the Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815;
critical habitat unit 12 (Wolf Creek). draft recovery plan. We will consider all telephone: 208–769–5004; email:
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
This unit is located almost entirely on comments we receive by the date sendsley@blm.gov. Persons who use a
private land, except for any small specified in DATES prior to final telecommunications device for the deaf
amount that is publicly owned in the approval of the plan. (TDD) may contact Ms. Endsley by
form of bridge crossings and road calling the Federal Relay Service (FRS)
easements. Public Availability of Comments at 800–877–8339. The FRS is available
Management Unit 9: This Before including your address, phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave
management unit does not correspond number, email address, or other a message or question with Ms. Endsley.
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Document Created: 2018-04-03 00:49:34
Document Modified: 2018-04-03 00:49:34
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability and request for public comment. | |
| Dates | In order to be considered, comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or before June 4, 2018. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 14289 |
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