[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 179 (Friday, September 13, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 48500-48501] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-23476] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of Draft Conservation Agreements for the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout and the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout for Review and Comment
Agency
Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
Action
Notice of document availability.
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Summary
The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability for public review of two Draft Conservation Agreements, one for the Bonneville cutthroat trout (Onchornychus clarki utah) in the State of Utah and one for the Colorado River cutthroat trout (Onchornychus clarki pleuriticus) in the State of Utah. Both of these species are designated species of special concern by the Service and within the State of Utah. The Conservation Agreements were developed by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, as a collaborative and cooperative effort among resource agencies. Both agreements focus on reducing and eliminating significant threats to the species that warrant their special status, and on restoring and maintaining populations of each species to ensure their longterm conservation within their respective historical ranges. The Service solicits review and comment from the public on these draft agreements.
Dates
Comments on the Draft Conservation Agreements must be received on or before October 15, 1996 to be considered by the Service during preparation of the final Conservation Agreements and prior to the Service's determination whether it will be a signatory party to the agreements.
Addresses
Persons wishing to review the Draft Conservation Agreements may obtain a copy by contacting the Assistant Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 145 East 1300 South, Suite 404, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115. Written comments and materials regarding the Draft Conservation Agreements also should be directed to the same address. Comments and materials received will be available on request for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.
For Further Information Contact
Mr. Robert D. Williams, Assistant Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 801/524-5001).
Supplementary Information
Background
The Bonneville cutthroat trout is a subspecies of cutthroat trout native to the Bonneville Basin of Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming. The desiccation of ancient Lake Bonneville restricted Bonneville cutthroat trout to headwater streams and lakes within the Basin. Human activities such as water development, agricultural development, energy development, mining, timber harvesting, grazing, overfishing, and the introduction of nonnative species have impacted Bonneville cutthroat trout populations. The tenuous status of the remaining populations and the habitat has led to conservation efforts at the Federal, State, and local level. The Utah Department of Natural Resources initiated development of a Conservation Agreement for the Bonneville cutthroat trout in 1995, working cooperatively with other agencies, in an effort to ensure the longterm conservation of Bonneville cutthroat trout within its historical range in Utah. The Colorado River cutthroat trout is a subspecies of cutthroat trout native to the upper Colorado River drainage in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona. Current distribution of the subspecies is restricted to headwater drainages of the Colorado River above the Grand Canyon. Human activities such as water development, agricultural activities, energy development, mining, overfishing, and the introduction of nonnative species have impacted Colorado River cutthroat trout populations. The tenuous status of the remaining populations and the habitat has led to conservation efforts at the Federal, State, and local level. The Utah Department of Natural Resources initiated development of a Conservation Agreement for the Colorado River cutthroat trout in 1995, working cooperatively with other agencies, in an effort to ensure the longterm conservation of Colorado River cutthroat trout within its historical range in Utah. The Conservation Agreements for both subspecies of cutthroat trout
outline seven general management actions and four general administrative actions required to meet the objectives of the agreements. These actions include--determining baseline Bonneville and Colorado River cutthroat population, life history, and habitat data; determining and maintaining genetic integrity; enhancing and maintaining habitat; selectively controlling nonnative species; expanding populations and range through introductions or reintroductions; monitoring populations and habitat; and developing a mitigation protocol for proposed water development and future habitat alteration, where needed; coordinating conservation activities, implementing the conservation schedule; funding conservation actions; and assessing conservation progress.
Public Comments Solicited
The Service will use information received in its determination as to whether it should be a signatory party to the agreements. Comments or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested party concerning the draft documents are hereby solicited. All comments and materials received will be considered prior to the approval of any final document.
Author
The primary author of this notice is Janet Mizzi (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone 801/524-5001).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, the Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination Act of 1964, and the National Memorandum of Understanding (94 (SMU-058)).
Dated: September 6, 1996. Ralph O. Morgenweck, Regional Director, Denver, Colorado. [FR Doc. 96-23476 Filed 9-12-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M