Notice of Availability of the Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan, 55412-55413 [05-18789]

Download as PDF 55412 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 182 / Wednesday, September 21, 2005 / Notices Dated: September 15, 2005. Donna L. Eden, Director, Office of Policy and E-Government, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 05–18745 Filed 9–20–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–72–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of the Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability of the approved Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan (Recovery Plan). The Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) is known to occur near four spring outlets that collectively make up Barton Springs in Austin, Texas. Habitat loss and modification from water quality and water quantity degradation are the primary threats facing the species. The Recovery Plan outlines the necessary criteria, objectives, and tasks to reduce these threats and accomplish the goal of delisting the Barton Springs salamander. ADDRESSES: A copy of the Recovery Plan may be requested by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas, 78758. The Recovery Plan may also be obtained from the Internet at: https:// www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Field Office Supervisor, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, at the above address; telephone (512) 490– 0057, facsimile (512) 490–0974. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) was listed as endangered on May 30, 1997, under authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (62 FR 23377). The water that discharges from Barton Springs is essential to the survival of the salamander. It originates from the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, a karst limestone aquifer containing a complex system of caves, sinkholes, fractures, and faults. The Edwards Aquifer is particularly vulnerable to contamination and land use changes that degrade the quality of storm water runoff. The primary threat facing the survival and recovery of this species is the degradation of water VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:40 Sep 20, 2005 Jkt 205001 quality and quantity of water that feeds Barton Springs, as a result of urbanization over the Barton Springs watershed (including roadway, residential, commercial, and industrial development). The Recovery Plan includes information about the species, its habitat, and current conservation efforts. Further, it provides recovery criteria that, when reached, will signify that the species has recovered to a point where it no longer warrants listing as endangered or threatened. Recovery actions are provided to guide recovery implementation and achieve recovery criteria. Reclassification from endangered to threatened (downlisting) will be considered when the following recovery criteria have been met: (1) Mechanisms (such as laws, rules, regulations, and cooperative agreements) are in place to ensure non-degradation of water quality in the Barton Springs watershed; (2) a plan to avoid, respond to, and remediate hazardous materials spills within the Barton Springs watershed is in place with high priority measures implemented to minimize risks to the Barton Springs salamander to a low level; (3) measures to ensure that continuous, natural springflows are maintained at all four spring outlets are in place and succesful; (4) a healthy, self-sustaining natural population of Barton Springs salamanders is maintained within its historical range; (5) measures to remove local threats to the Barton Springs ecosystem have been implemented; (6) captive populations of Barton Springs salamanders have been established in secure locations under the direction of a Captive Propagation and Contingency Plan. The Recovery Plan proposes delisting of the Barton Springs salamander when the downlisting criteria have been achieved and the following additional recovery criteria have been met: (1) Water quality protection mechanisms are shown to be effective and commitments are in place to continue protection; (2) measures to implement the catastrophic spill avoidance, response and remediation plans are ensured; (3) measures to maintain adequate springflows are shown to be effective; (4) the Barton Springs salamander population is shown to be viable and stable or increasing; (5) measures to remove local threats to the Barton Springs ecosystem are shown to be effective and a commitment is in place to continue the appropriate management of the surface habitat; (6) captive breeding is shown to be effective and reliable and commitments are in place to maintain adequate captive PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 populations for any needed restoration work. Due to the Barton Springs salamander’s reliance on continuous flow of clean spring water, many of the high-priority recovery tasks outlined in the Recovery Plan are designed to ensure adequate water quality and quantity within the Barton Springs watershed, such as: (1) Developing and implementing catastrophic spill avoidance, response, and remediation plans; (2) implementing programs to protect sensitive environmental features important to salamander habitat or the effective recharge of clean water such as caves, sinkholes, fissures, springs, and riparian zones; (3) developing and implementing programs to identify and correct problems from point and nonpoint source pollution discharges; and (4) creating a regional management program that will be used to ensure the protection of aquifer level and springflows under normal and drought conditions. Other high-priority recovery actions include ensuring protection for existing spring habitats and establishing and maintaining adequate captive breeding populations. Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point where it is again a secure, selfsustaining member of its ecosystem is a primary goal of the Service’s endangered species program. To help guide the recovery effort, the Service is working to prepare recovery plans for most of the listed species native to the United States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of listed species, establish criteria for downlisting or delisting those species, and estimate time and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed. The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed species unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended in 1988, requires that public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service considers all information presented during a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and others also take these comments into account in the course of implementing recovery plans. Authority: This document is published under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM 21SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 182 / Wednesday, September 21, 2005 / Notices Dated: August 18, 2005. Larry G. Bell, Regional Director, Region 2, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 05–18789 Filed 9–20–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Decision and Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement for Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Decision and Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, formerly known as Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a Notice of Decision and Availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The refuge is located in the Gulf of Maine watershed, which extends along the entire coast of Maine. The Final EIS presents a thorough analysis of environmental, social, and economic considerations. The CCP and EIS were released to the public for 30 days after the publication of a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on July 15, 2005 (70 FR 135). The ROD documents the selection of Alternative B (the Service-preferred alternative) in the Final EIS, which is represented by the Final CCP for the refuge. The ROD was signed by the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region, on August 24, 2005. ADDRESSES: A copy of the ROD may be obtained from Charles Blair, Refuge Manager, Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 279, Water Street, Milbridge, Maine 04658– 0279, or you may call Mr. Blair at 207– 546–2124. A copy of the final CCP and EIS is available at the following Web site: https://library.fws.gov/ccps.htm. FOR FURTHER CONTACT INFORMATION: Charles Blair, Refuge Manager, Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 279, Water Street, Milbridge, Maine 04658–0279, 207– VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:40 Sep 20, 2005 Jkt 205001 546–2124 (telephone), 207–546–7805 (FAX). The following is a summary of the ROD, which selects Final EIS Alternative B, represented by the Final CCP, for the Maine Coastal Islands NWR. The CCP provides management guidance that conserves refuge resources and facilitates compatible wildlifedependent public use activities during the next 15 years. The CCP addresses key issues and conflicts identified during the planning process, and will best achieve the purposes and goals for each of the five refuges in this complex, as well as the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). The decision includes the management goals, objectives, and strategies identified in CCP chapter 4, ‘‘Management Direction,’’ and in the compatibility determinations (Appendix C). The implementation of the CCP will occur over the next 15 years, depending on future staffing levels, funding, and willing sellers of the lands proposed for acquisition. Factors Considered in Making the Decision: The decision was based on a thorough analysis of environmental, social, and economic considerations. The Service reviewed and considered the impacts identified in chapter 4 of the Draft and Final EIS; the results of various studies and surveys conducted, or technical expert advice received in conjunction with the Draft and Final EIS and CCP; relevant issues, concerns, and opportunities; comments on the draft and final planning documents; and other relevant factors, including the purposes for which the refuges were established and statutory and regulatory guidance. The Final EIS and CCP address a variety of needs, including fish and wildlife conservation, habitat restoration and protection, National Wilderness Preservation System designation, refuge expansion, and the six priority public uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. The unique combination of those components contributes significantly to achieving refuge purposes and goals. The CCP also strengthens the monitoring of fish, wildlife, habitat, and public uses on refuge lands to provide the means to better respond to changing conditions in the surrounding landscape. The Final CCP, was selected for implementation because it provides the greatest number of opportunities for the NWRS to contribute to fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation needs along the Maine coast. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55413 Dated: August 24, 2005. Richard O. Bennett, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, Massachusetts. [FR Doc. 05–18787 Filed 9–20–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [NV–058–04–1610–DR–241E] Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan for the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. Notice of availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) and Resource Management Plan (RMP). ACTION: SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) management policies, and the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Establishment Act, the BLM announces the availability of the ROD/RMP for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (RRCNCA). The Nevada State Director will sign the ROD/RMP, which becomes effective immediately. Copies of the ROD/RMP are available upon request from the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Manager, Timothy P. O’Brien, Las Vegas Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89130 or via the Internet at: https://www.nv.blm.gov/vegas. Copies can also be requested by calling (702) 515–5000. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy P. O’Brien, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Manager, 4701 N. Torrey Pines, Las Vegas, NV 89130, or by telephone at (702) 515– 5058, email Timothy_O’Brien@blm.gov. The RMP describes the actions to conserve, protect, and enhance the endangered species, wilderness characteristics, unique geological, archeological, ecological, cultural, and recreation resources that are encompassed within the RRCNCA for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The RRCNCA ROD/RMP SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM 21SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55412-55413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18789]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of the Barton Springs Salamander Recovery 
Plan

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability of the approved Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan 
(Recovery Plan). The Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) is 
known to occur near four spring outlets that collectively make up 
Barton Springs in Austin, Texas. Habitat loss and modification from 
water quality and water quantity degradation are the primary threats 
facing the species. The Recovery Plan outlines the necessary criteria, 
objectives, and tasks to reduce these threats and accomplish the goal 
of delisting the Barton Springs salamander.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Recovery Plan may be requested by contacting 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Field 
Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas, 78758. The 
Recovery Plan may also be obtained from the Internet at: https://
www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Field Office Supervisor, Austin 
Ecological Services Field Office, at the above address; telephone (512) 
490-0057, facsimile (512) 490-0974.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) was listed as 
endangered on May 30, 1997, under authority of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (62 FR 23377). The water that discharges 
from Barton Springs is essential to the survival of the salamander. It 
originates from the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, a 
karst limestone aquifer containing a complex system of caves, 
sinkholes, fractures, and faults. The Edwards Aquifer is particularly 
vulnerable to contamination and land use changes that degrade the 
quality of storm water runoff. The primary threat facing the survival 
and recovery of this species is the degradation of water quality and 
quantity of water that feeds Barton Springs, as a result of 
urbanization over the Barton Springs watershed (including roadway, 
residential, commercial, and industrial development). The Recovery Plan 
includes information about the species, its habitat, and current 
conservation efforts. Further, it provides recovery criteria that, when 
reached, will signify that the species has recovered to a point where 
it no longer warrants listing as endangered or threatened. Recovery 
actions are provided to guide recovery implementation and achieve 
recovery criteria.
    Reclassification from endangered to threatened (downlisting) will 
be considered when the following recovery criteria have been met: (1) 
Mechanisms (such as laws, rules, regulations, and cooperative 
agreements) are in place to ensure non-degradation of water quality in 
the Barton Springs watershed; (2) a plan to avoid, respond to, and 
remediate hazardous materials spills within the Barton Springs 
watershed is in place with high priority measures implemented to 
minimize risks to the Barton Springs salamander to a low level; (3) 
measures to ensure that continuous, natural springflows are maintained 
at all four spring outlets are in place and succesful; (4) a healthy, 
self-sustaining natural population of Barton Springs salamanders is 
maintained within its historical range; (5) measures to remove local 
threats to the Barton Springs ecosystem have been implemented; (6) 
captive populations of Barton Springs salamanders have been established 
in secure locations under the direction of a Captive Propagation and 
Contingency Plan.
    The Recovery Plan proposes delisting of the Barton Springs 
salamander when the downlisting criteria have been achieved and the 
following additional recovery criteria have been met: (1) Water quality 
protection mechanisms are shown to be effective and commitments are in 
place to continue protection; (2) measures to implement the 
catastrophic spill avoidance, response and remediation plans are 
ensured; (3) measures to maintain adequate springflows are shown to be 
effective; (4) the Barton Springs salamander population is shown to be 
viable and stable or increasing; (5) measures to remove local threats 
to the Barton Springs ecosystem are shown to be effective and a 
commitment is in place to continue the appropriate management of the 
surface habitat; (6) captive breeding is shown to be effective and 
reliable and commitments are in place to maintain adequate captive 
populations for any needed restoration work.
    Due to the Barton Springs salamander's reliance on continuous flow 
of clean spring water, many of the high-priority recovery tasks 
outlined in the Recovery Plan are designed to ensure adequate water 
quality and quantity within the Barton Springs watershed, such as: (1) 
Developing and implementing catastrophic spill avoidance, response, and 
remediation plans; (2) implementing programs to protect sensitive 
environmental features important to salamander habitat or the effective 
recharge of clean water such as caves, sinkholes, fissures, springs, 
and riparian zones; (3) developing and implementing programs to 
identify and correct problems from point and non-point source pollution 
discharges; and (4) creating a regional management program that will be 
used to ensure the protection of aquifer level and springflows under 
normal and drought conditions. Other high-priority recovery actions 
include ensuring protection for existing spring habitats and 
establishing and maintaining adequate captive breeding populations.
    Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point 
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem is 
a primary goal of the Service's endangered species program. To help 
guide the recovery effort, the Service is working to prepare recovery 
plans for most of the listed species native to the United States. 
Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation 
of listed species, establish criteria for downlisting or delisting 
those species, and estimate time and cost for implementing the recovery 
measures needed.
    The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed 
species unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a 
particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended in 1988, 
requires that public notice and an opportunity for public review and 
comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service 
considers all information presented during a public comment period 
prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and 
others also take these comments into account in the course of 
implementing recovery plans.

    Authority: This document is published under the authority of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).


[[Page 55413]]


    Dated: August 18, 2005.
Larry G. Bell,
Regional Director, Region 2, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18789 Filed 9-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.