Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Sickle Darter, 71859-71873 [2020-24471]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 219 (Thursday, November 12, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71859-71873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24471]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2020-0094; FF09E21000 FXES11110900000 212]
RIN 1018-BE89


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species 
Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Sickle Darter

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 
12-month finding on a petition to list the sickle darter (Percina 
williamsi), a fish species from the upper Tennessee River drainage in 
North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, as a threatened species under 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a review of 
the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that 
listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the 
sickle darter as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 
4(d) of the Act (``4(d) rule''). If we finalize this rule as proposed, 
it would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species.

DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 
January 11, 2021. 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 December 28, 2020.

ADDRESSES: 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-2020-0094, 
which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the 
Search button. On the resulting page, in the Search panel on the left 
side of the screen, under the

[[Page 71860]]

Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this 
document. You may submit a comment by clicking on ``Comment Now!''
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments 
Processing, Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2020-0094, 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).

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, if we determine that 
a species may be an endangered or threatened species throughout all or 
a significant portion of its range, we are required to promptly publish 
a proposal in the Federal Register and make a determination on our 
proposal within 1 year. To the maximum extent prudent and determinable, 
we must designate critical habitat for any species that we determine to 
be an endangered or threatened species under the Act. Listing a species 
as an endangered or threatened species and designation of critical 
habitat can only be completed by issuing a rule.
    What this document does. This rule proposes the listing of the 
sickle darter as a threatened species with a rule under section 4(d) of 
the Act. This rule summarizes our analysis regarding the status of and 
threats to the sickle darter.
    The basis for our action. Under the Act, we may determine that a 
species is an endangered or 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 have determined that threats to the sickle 
darter include habitat degradation or loss stemming from hydrologic 
alteration by impoundments, including dams and other barriers; resource 
extraction, including mining and timber operations; and diminished 
water quality from point and non-point source chemical contamination 
and siltation (Factor A). These threats contribute to the negative 
effects associated with the species' reduced range and potential 
effects of climate change (Factor E).
    Peer review. In accordance with our joint policy on peer review 
published in the Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), and 
our August 22, 2016, memorandum updating and clarifying the role of 
peer review of listing actions under the Act, we sought the expert 
opinions of five appropriate specialists regarding the species status 
assessment report. We received responses from four specialists, which 
informed this proposed rule. The purpose of peer review is to ensure 
that our listing determinations and 4(d) rules are based on 
scientifically sound data, assumptions, and analyses. The peer 
reviewers have expertise in the biology, habitat, and threats to the 
species.
    Because we will consider all comments and information we receive 
during the comment period, our final determination 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 is endangered 
instead of threatened, or we may conclude that the species does not 
warrant listing as either an endangered species or a threatened 
species. We invite comments on any of these possibilities, as well.

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 concerned governmental agencies, 
Native American tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any 
other interested parties concerning this proposed rule.
    We particularly seek comments concerning:
    (1) The species' biology, range, and population trends, including:
    (a) Biological or ecological requirements of the species, including 
habitat requirements for feeding, breeding, and sheltering;
    (b) Genetics and taxonomy;
    (c) Historical and current range, including distribution patterns;
    (d) Historical and current population levels, and current and 
projected trends; and
    (e) Past and ongoing conservation measures for the species, its 
habitat, or both.
    (2) Factors that may affect the continued existence of the species, 
which may include habitat modification or destruction, overutilization, 
disease, predation, the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, 
or other natural or manmade factors.
    (3) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threats (or lack thereof) to this species and existing regulations 
that may be addressing those threats.
    (4) Additional information concerning the historical and current 
status, range, distribution, and population size of this species, 
including the locations of any additional populations of this species.
    (5) Information on regulations that are necessary and advisable to 
provide for the conservation of the sickle darter and that the Service 
can consider in developing a 4(d) rule for the species. In particular, 
we seek information concerning:
    (a) The extent to which we should include any of the prohibitions 
in section 9 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) in the 4(d) rule or 
whether any other forms of take should be excepted from the 
prohibitions in the 4(d) rule;
    (b) Whether we should add a specific provision to except from 
prohibition incidental take resulting from silviculture practices and 
forest management activities that implement highest-standard best 
management practices and comply with forest practice guidelines related 
to water quality standards; and
    (c) Whether there are additional provisions the Service may wish to 
consider for the 4(d) rule that are necessary and advisable for the 
conservation of the sickle darter.
    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 action under consideration without providing 
supporting information, although noted, will not be considered in 
making a determination, 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

[[Page 71861]]

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.

Public Hearing

    Section 4(b)(5) of the Act provides for a public hearing on this 
proposal, if requested. We must receive requests for a public hearing, 
in writing, at 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 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).

Previous Federal Actions

    On April 20, 2010, we received a petition from the Center for 
Biological Diversity (CBD), Alabama Rivers Alliance, Clinch Coalition, 
Dogwood Alliance, Gulf Restoration Network, Tennessee Forests Council, 
and West Virginia Highlands Conservancy (referred to below as the CBD 
petition) to list 404 aquatic, riparian, and wetland species, including 
the sickle darter, as endangered or threatened species under the Act. 
In response to the petition, we published a partial 90-day finding on 
September 27, 2011 (76 FR 59836), in which we announced our finding 
that the petition contained substantial information indicating that 
listing may be warranted for numerous species, including the sickle 
darter.
    On February 18, 2015, the CBD filed a complaint alleging the 
Service failed to complete a 12-month finding for the sickle darter in 
accordance with statutory deadlines. On September 9, 2015, the Service 
and the CBD filed a stipulated settlement in the District of Columbia, 
agreeing that the Service will submit to the Federal Register a 12-
month finding for the sickle darter no later than September 30, 2020 
(Center for Biological Diversity v. Jewell, case 1:15-CV-00229-EGS 
(D.D.C.)). This document constitutes our concurrent 12-month warranted 
petition finding and proposed listing rule.

Supporting Documents

    An SSA team prepared an SSA report for the sickle darter. The SSA 
team was composed of Service biologists, in consultation with other 
species experts from the Tennessee Valley Authority; State agencies in 
North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia; university researchers; and 
private fish conservation organizations. 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. As discussed above under Peer review, we solicited 
appropriate peer review for the SSA report. The Service sent the SSA 
report to five independent peer reviewers and received four responses. 
In addition, we sent the draft SSA report for review to Federal 
partners, State partners, and scientists with expertise in aquatic 
ecology and fish biology, taxonomy, and conservation.

I. Proposed Listing Determination

Background

    The sickle darter is a small fish native to the upper Tennessee 
River drainage in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The species 
currently has a disjunct distribution, with populations in the Emory 
River, Little River, Sequatchie River, and Emory River systems in 
Tennessee, and the upper Clinch River, North Fork Holston River, and 
Middle Fork Holston River systems in Virginia. Populations within the 
French Broad River system in North Carolina and Tennessee, and the 
South Fork Holston River, Powell River, and Watauga River systems in 
Tennessee are extirpated. A thorough review of the taxonomy, life 
history, and ecology of the sickle darter is presented in the SSA 
report (version 1.0; Service 2020a, pp. 9-13).
    The sickle darter has a long, slender body reaching up to 120 
millimeters (mm) (4.7 inches (in)) in length and an elongated, pointed 
snout. The body color is brown to olive above and white to pale yellow 
below with a thin black stripe along the top of the body. Spawning 
occurs in late winter (February-March), and the species has a maximum 
lifespan of 3 to 4 years.
    Sickle darters typically occupy flowing pools over rocky, sandy, or 
silty substrates in clear creeks or small rivers. Occupied streams tend 
to have good water quality, with low turbidity and negligible siltation 
(Etnier and Starnes 1993, p. 576; Alford 2019, p. 9). In these 
habitats, the species is most often associated with clean sand-detritus 
or gravel-cobble-boulder substrates, stands of American water willow 
(Justicia americana), or woody debris piles at water depths ranging 
from 0.4-1.0 meter (m) (1.3-3.3 feet (ft)) (Etnier and Starnes 1993, p. 
576; Page and Near 2007, p. 609; Alford 2019, p. 8). Streams supporting 
sickle darters range from 9-33 m (29-108 ft) wide and streamside tree 
canopy cover in these streams ranges from open to nearly closed (Alford 
2019, p. 8). The species spends most of its time in the water column, 
often hovering a few inches above the stream or river bottom (Etnier 
and Starnes 1993, p. 576).
    In winter, sickle darters have been observed in deep pools (depths 
of up to 3 m (10 ft)) or in slow-flowing, shallow pools in close 
proximity to cover (Etnier and Starnes 1993, p. 576; Service 2020b, p. 
1). The species migrates from the deepest areas of pools to shallow, 
gravel shoals (riffles) in late winter or early spring (February-March) 
to spawn (Etnier and Starnes 1993, p. 576). Spawning begins when stream 
water temperatures reach 10 to 16 Celsius ([deg]C) (50 to 60 Fahrenheit 
([deg]F)) (Petty et al. 2017, p. 3). Sexual maturity of males occurs at 
the end of the first year of life, while sexual maturity of females 
occurs at the end of their second year of life (Page 1978, p. 663; 
Petty et al. 2017, p. 3). Females produce up to 355 eggs per clutch, 
which hatch in 21 days at an average stream temperature of 10 [deg]C 
(50 [deg]F) (Etnier and Starnes 1993, p. 576). The incubation period is 
likely shorter (about 2 weeks) when stream temperatures are higher 
(Service 2020b, p. 1). The larvae move up and down in the water column 
and presumably feed on zooplankton and other small macroinvertebrates 
after depleting yolk sac nutrients (Etnier and Starnes 1993, p. 576; 
Petty et al. 2017, p. 3). After about 30 days, the larvae move to the 
stream bottom (Petty et al. 2017, p. 3) where they mature. Except for 
their late winter movements from pools to riffles for spawning, no 
information is available on the movement behavior of the sickle darter. 
However, studies of two closely related species in the genus

[[Page 71862]]

Percina (longhead darter and frecklebelly darter) indicate that the 
sickle darter likely exhibits seasonal upstream and downstream 
movements (Eisenhour et al. 2011, p. 15; Eisenhour and Washburn 2016, 
pp. 19-24).
    Sickle darters feed primarily on larval mayflies and midges; minor 
prey items include riffle beetles, caddisflies, dragonflies, and 
several other groups of aquatic macroinvertebrates (Page and Near 2007, 
pp. 609-610; Alford 2019, p. 10). Crayfishes have been reported as a 
common food item for the closely related longhead darter (Page 1978, p. 
663), but have not been observed in the sickle darter's diet (Alford 
2019, p. 10).

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 have an effect on 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 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 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 expected response by the species, 
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 the 
Services 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 a decision by 
the Service on whether the species should be proposed for listing as an 
endangered or threatened species under the Act. However, it does 
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. 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-2020-0094 on https://www.regulations.gov.
    To assess sickle 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 
species' ability to withstand environmental and demographic 
stochasticity (for example, wet or dry, warm or cold years), redundancy 
supports the species' ability to withstand catastrophic events (for 
example, droughts, large pollution events), and representation supports 
the species' ability 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 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 individual species' 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 stages, we 
used the best available information to characterize viability as

[[Page 71863]]

the ability of a species to sustain populations in the wild over time.

Summary of Biological Status and Threats

    In this discussion, we review the biological condition of the 
species and its resources, and the threats that influence the species' 
current and future condition, in order to assess the species' overall 
viability and the risks to that viability.
    For sickle darter populations to be resilient, the needs of 
individuals (slow-flowing pools, substrate, food availability, water 
quality, and aquatic vegetation or large woody debris) 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 negative 
effects associated with small population size, such as inbreeding 
depression and the Allee effect (whereby low population density reduces 
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 sickle darter needs a 
sufficient number and distribution of 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 
sickle darter, we assessed a range of conditions to allow us to 
consider the species' resiliency, representation, and redundancy.
    We delineated analytical units (populations) using the tributary 
systems the sickle darter historically occupied. Each population 
represents demographically linked interbreeding individuals; however, 
these populations are currently separated by long distances or isolated 
by impoundments. We identified 10 historical populations across the 
range of the sickle darter: Emory River, Clinch River, Powell River, 
Little River, French Broad River, North Fork Holston River, Middle Fork 
Holston River, South Fork Holston River, Watauga River, and Sequatchie 
River.
    To assess resiliency, we evaluated six components that broadly 
relate to the species' physical environment or its population 
demography. Each population's physical environment was assessed by 
averaging three components determined to have the most influence on the 
species: Physical habitat quality, connectivity, and water quality. The 
three components describing population demography were reproduction, 
occurrence extent (total length of occupied streams compared to 
historical range), and occupied stream length. Parameters for each 
component's condition category were established by evaluating the range 
of existing data and separating those data into categories based on our 
understanding of the species' demographics and habitat. Using the 
demographic and habitat parameters, we then categorized the overall 
condition of each population. We weighted each of the six components 
equally and determined the average score to describe each population's 
current condition (see Table 1, below).
    Due to a limited amount of species-specific genetic information for 
the sickle darter, we based our evaluation of the species' 
representation on the extent and variability of environmental diversity 
(habitat diversity) across the species' geographical range. 
Additionally, we assessed sickle darter redundancy (ability of species 
to withstand catastrophic events) by evaluating the number and 
distribution of resilient populations throughout the species' range. 
Highly resilient populations, coupled with a relatively broad 
distribution, have a positive relationship to species-level redundancy.

              Table 1--Component Conditions Used To Assess Resiliency for Sickle Darter Populations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Condition
            Component            -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         High              Moderate               Low                  0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Physical Habitat................  Slow-flowing pools  Slow-flowing pools  Slow-flowing pools  Habitat
                                   abundant (ample     present but not     scarce (few pools   unsuitable.
                                   cover in pools);    abundant (some      with cover); silt
                                   silt deposition     pools with          deposition
                                   low; no extensive   cover); silt        extensive;
                                   or significant      deposition          habitat severely
                                   habitat             moderate; habitat   altered and
                                   alteration such     alteration at       recognized as
                                   as recent           moderate level      impacting the
                                   channelization or   such that           species; < 25% of
                                   riparian            channelization or   habitats suitable
                                   clearing; > 75%     other habitat       for the species.
                                   of available        disturbance more
                                   habitat suitable    widespread; 25-
                                   for the species.    75% of available
                                                       habitat suitable
                                                       for the species.
Connectivity....................  High immigration    Moderate            Low immigration     No connectivity
                                   potential between   immigration         potential between   (populations
                                   populations (no     potential between   populations         isolated; no
                                   dams or other       populations         (populations        immigration
                                   barriers            (populations        separated by >= 2   potential due to
                                   separating          separated by 1      low-head dams or    the presence of
                                   populations).       low-head dam, and   other barriers).    large
                                                       other partial                           reservoirs).
                                                       barriers, such as
                                                       narrow culverts,
                                                       may be present).
Water Quality...................  Minimal or no       Water quality       Water quality       Water quality
                                   known water         issues recognized   issues prevalent    unsuitable.
                                   quality issues      that may impact     within system,
                                   (i.e., no 303(d)    species (i.e.,      likely impacting
                                   streams*            some 303(d)         populations
                                   impacting the       streams*, unpaved   (i.e., numerous
                                   species, area       roads more          303(d) streams*).
                                   sparsely            common, moderate
                                   populated, few      levels of
                                   roads).             developed land
                                                       use).
Reproduction....................  Clear evidence of   Clear evidence of   No direct evidence  Extirpated.
                                   reproduction,       reproduction,       of reproduction
                                   with multiple age   juveniles           (only adults
                                   classes present.    present, but        present).
                                                       multiple age
                                                       classes not
                                                       detected.
Occurrence Extent...............  <10% decline from   10-50% decline      >50% decline from   Extirpated.
                                   historical range.   from historical     historical range.
                                                       range.
Occupied Stream Length            >=22.5 km (>= 14    11.3-22.5 km (7-14  <11.3 km (< 7 mi).  Extirpated.
 (Continuity).                     mi).                mi).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* A 303(d) stream is a stream listed under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1251 et
  seq.) as a water body impaired by pollutants.

Current Condition of Sickle Darter
    Currently, the sickle darter is known from six tributary systems in 
the upper Tennessee River drainage: Emory River, Little River, Clinch 
River, North Fork Holston River, Middle Fork Holston River, and 
Sequatchie River. Historical populations in the Powell River, French 
Broad River, South Fork Holston River,

[[Page 71864]]

and Watauga River systems are extirpated, including the species' only 
population within the Blue Ridge ecoregion. Impoundments and water 
pollution in the upper Tennessee River drainage were major factors in 
the decline of the sickle darter and several other fishes during the 
early to mid-20th century (Etnier and Starnes 1993, pp. 15, 576). 
Current factors affecting the condition of sickle darter populations 
include habitat and water quality degradation, low connectivity, and 
small population size (e.g., Clinch River). The Emory River and Little 
River populations exhibit moderate resiliency, as evidenced by the 
species' persistence within these systems for over 45 years, recent and 
repeated evidence of reproduction and recruitment, a relatively long 
occupied reach in each system (more than 22.5 kilometers (km) (14 miles 
(mi))), and the physical habitat condition and water quality in both 
systems. The remaining four populations exhibit low resiliency. They 
are represented by fewer documented occurrences, no evidence of 
recruitment, shorter occupied reaches, and occur in areas with limited 
habitat and water quality.
    The species' adaptive potential (representation) is low because of 
its reduced range (and presumably associated reduction in genetic 
diversity), and the loss of connectivity caused by dam construction. 
The sickle darter occupies only two of three historical ecoregions 
(Ridge and Valley and Southwestern Appalachians), likely reducing its 
ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions over time.
    We assessed the number and distribution of resilient populations 
across the sickle darter's range as a measure of its redundancy. 
Construction of dams across the upper Tennessee River drainage has 
eliminated connectivity between extant populations. However, within the 
currently occupied streams, large barriers are absent, although some 
small barriers that hamper movement are present (e.g., defunct low-head 
mill dams, low-water bridges, narrow or partially blocked culverts). As 
such, there is connectivity within each occupied stream and opportunity 
for movement of individuals, decreasing the effect of localized 
stochastic events. Overall, the sickle darter exhibits a low degree of 
redundancy based on the number of resilient populations and the amount 
of isolation observed across the species' range, increasing the 
species' vulnerability to catastrophic events.
Risk Factors for Sickle Darter
    Habitat loss and degradation (Factor A) resulting from 
impoundments, siltation, and water quality degradation, pose the 
largest risk to the current and future viability of the sickle darter 
and are the primary contributors to the species' reduced range, 
population fragmentation, and population loss. Climate change (Factor 
E) is a potential stressor that may impact the sickle darter in the 
future. We find the species does not face significant 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 characterized by excess sediments 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 large substrate particles 
such as cobble and boulders. Siltation can affect fishes through 
abrasion of gill tissues, suffocation of eggs or larvae, reductions in 
disease tolerance, degradation of spawning habitats, modification of 
migration patterns, and reductions in food availability (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). The sickle darter is 
considered to be intolerant of siltation (Etnier and Starnes 1993, p. 
576). Pool habitat, which is the area in streams most often occupied by 
sickle darters, is affected by sediment deposition earlier and more 
readily than habitats with faster moving water (Eisenhour et al. 2009, 
p. 11). However, the sickle darter is occasionally observed in areas 
with at least low to moderate levels of siltation on some substrates, 
as in the Emory River (Service 2020b, p. 3).
    Siltation continues to be one of the primary stressors of streams 
in the upper Tennessee River drainage (TDEC 2010, pp. 43-45; TDEC 2014, 
pp. 48-50; TDEC 2017, pp. 51-128; VDEQ 2018, pp. 89-91). Sediments can 
originate from a variety of sources, but State agencies continue to 
cite land use practices associated with agriculture, land development, 
and resource extraction (e.g., coal mining) as primary sediment sources 
within the current and historical range of the sickle darter (TDEC 
2010, pp. 56-65; TDEC 2014, pp. 62-69; VDEQ 2018 (Appendix 5), pp. 
2313-2531). Unrestricted livestock access occurs on many streams in the 
range of the sickle darter and 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 increases the probability of 
erosion and siltation (Brim Box and Mossa 1999, p. 103). Other sources 
of siltation in the species' range include croplands, stream 
channelization, and removal of riparian (streamside) vegetation, which 
have the potential to contribute large sediment loads during storm 
events, thereby causing increased siltation and potentially introducing 
agricultural pollutants such as herbicides and pesticides carried on or 
with sediment particles that wash into streams.
    Surface coal mining, oil and gas drilling, and logging may also 
contribute to siltation of stream habitats in the upper Tennessee River 
drainage, especially the upper Clinch and Powell River systems (TDEC 
2017, pp. 94-97; Zipper et al. 2016, pp. 609-610; VDEQ 2018, pp. 2313-
2531). Land clearing, road construction, and excavation associated with 
these land use practices produce new road networks and large areas of 
bare soil that can contribute large amounts of sediment if best 
management practices (BMPs) are not used. Siltation from surface coal 
mining activities, such as the placement of valley fills, forest 
clearing, and road construction, has affected the sickle darter's 
historical range in the mainstem Clinch and Powell Rivers. Over the 
last decade, forestry BMP implementation rates, to control erosion, 
runoff, and siltation, have increased within the upper Tennessee River 
drainage (Clatterbuck et al. 2017, pp. 8-12; VDOF 2014, pp. 1-5); 
however, siltation continues to impact aquatic habitats in those areas 
where BMP use is lacking.
Water Quality Degradation (Pollution)
    Information is lacking on the sickle darter's tolerance to specific 
pollutants, but overall the species is likely to have low tolerance 
experienced by other species in its genus. A review of species 
tolerances to pollution classified five species in the sickle darter 
genus Percina as intolerant, moderately intolerant, or having 
intermediate tolerance (Grabarkiewicz and Davis 2008, p. 64). None of 
these five species were classified as moderately tolerant or tolerant 
of pollution. A variety of pollutants that may impact the sickle darter 
continue to degrade stream water quality within the upper Tennessee 
River drainage (Locke et al. 2006, pp.

[[Page 71865]]

197, 202-203; TDEC 2010, pp. 42-48; TDEC 2014, pp. 47-53; Zipper et al. 
2016, p. 604; TDEC 2017, pp. 51-106; VDEQ 2018 (Appendix 5), pp. 2313-
2531). Major pollutants within the upper Tennessee River drainage 
include pathogens, domestic sewage, animal waste, nutrients, metals, 
and toxic organic compounds.
    Pathogens (fecal indicator bacteria) are a leading cause of stream 
pollution across the sickle darter's range (Hampson et al. 2000, p. 7; 
TDEC 2014a, pp. 47-53, TDEC 2017, pp. 51-106; VDEQ 2018 (Appendix 5), 
pp. 2313-2531). The effect of high bacterial levels on the sickle 
darter is unknown, but high bacterial concentrations are one indicator 
of degraded stream conditions, including low dissolved oxygen that 
negatively affects fish or that may indicate the presence of other 
pollutants of concern that could harm the species. In the upper 
Tennessee River drainage, livestock waste is the primary source of 
bacterial contamination in rural areas, while deteriorating and leaky 
sewage systems, faulty sewage treatment plants, urban runoff, and 
combined sewer overflow (CSO) systems are the primary sources of 
bacterial contamination in urban streams (Hampson et al. 2000, p. 7). 
Elevated nutrient concentrations of phosphorus, nitrite/nitrate, and 
ammonia are another leading cause of stream pollution in the upper 
Tennessee River drainage (Hampson et al. 2000, p. 8; Price et al. 2011, 
pp. III-1, IV-1; TDEC 2014, p. 50; TDEC 2017, pp. 51-106; VDEQ 2018, 
pp. 89-91). Primary sources include wastewater treatment facilities, 
urban and industrial stormwater systems, and agricultural runoff (i.e., 
livestock waste and synthetic fertilizers) (Hampson et al. 2000, p. 9; 
TDEC 2014, p. 50).
    Other stream pollutants in the upper Tennessee River drainage 
include organic compounds (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 
dioxins), metals (e.g., mercury, iron, manganese), and pesticides 
(Hampson et al. 2000, pp. 14-19; Soucek et al. 2000, entire; Soucek et 
al. 2003, entire; Locke et al. 2006, pp. 200-203; Price et al. 2011, p. 
VI-1; TDEC 2014, pp. 51-53). Industrial development and coal mining 
activities prior to the passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA; 33 
U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 
of 1977 (SMCRA; 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.) have left a legacy of 
contaminated sediment and polluted waters that continue to affect 
streams in portions of the upper Tennessee River drainage (Hampson et 
al. 2000, p. 19). Coal mining activity has decreased in the Clinch and 
Powell River systems in recent years; however, current and previous 
mining activities continue to impact portions of these stream systems 
in Tennessee and Virginia (TDEC 2014, p. 51; Ahlstedt et al. 2016, pp. 
13-14; Zipper et al. 2016, pp. 604-612; TDEC 2017, pp. 94-97). 
Insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides are widely used in the upper 
Tennessee River drainage to control insects, fungi, weeds, and other 
undesirable organisms (Hampson et al. 2000, pp. 14-18). The compounds 
vary in their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and transport 
characteristics, but often become widely distributed in the environment 
and can pose hazards to non-target organisms such as the sickle darter.
Impoundments and Their Effects--Habitat Fragmentation and Loss
    Impoundments are a threat to the sickle darter and a major factor 
influencing the species' current distribution within the upper 
Tennessee River drainage (Etnier and Starnes 1993, p. 576; Jenkins and 
Burkhead 1993, pp. 101-106; Service 2020a, p. 3). From 1912 to 1963, 
Tennessee Valley Authority constructed 12 dams, impounding waters in 
each of the sickle darter's historical tributary systems in Tennessee 
and Virginia (Miller and Reidinger 1998, pp. 35-37). Two dams were 
constructed on the Tennessee River mainstem, while the remaining 10 
dams were built on tributaries (Clinch River, French Broad River, 
Holston River, South Fork Holston River, and Watauga River), creating 
10 impoundments or reservoirs. Physical, chemical, and biological 
changes to these systems have been dramatic. Alterations to flow and 
temperature in the impounded reaches behind the dams and the tailwaters 
that extend several miles below the dams render these reaches 
uninhabitable for stream fishes such as the sickle darter. Additionally 
these dams have diminished and, in some cases, eliminated connectivity 
of sickle darter populations.
Population Fragmentation and Isolation
    As a result of the loss of populations throughout the historical 
range, the sickle darter's remaining range is limited. The remaining 
populations are localized and geographically isolated from one another 
due to impoundments and other habitat degradation, leaving them 
vulnerable to localized extinctions from toxic chemical spills, habitat 
modification, progressive degradation from runoff (non-point source 
pollutants), natural catastrophic changes to their habitat (e.g., flood 
scour, drought), other stochastic disturbances, and decreased fitness 
from reduced genetic diversity.
    Species that have incurred reductions in range and population size 
are more likely to suffer loss of genetic diversity due to genetic 
drift, potentially increasing their susceptibility to inbreeding 
depression, decreasing their ability to adapt to environmental changes, 
and reducing the fitness of individuals (Soul[eacute] 1980, pp. 157-
158; Hunter 2002, pp. 97-101; Allendorf and Luikart 2007, pp. 117-146). 
Some small sickle darter populations (e.g., Middle Fork Holston River) 
may be below the effective population size required to maintain long-
term genetic and population viability (Soul[eacute] 1980, pp. 162-164; 
Hunter 2002, pp. 105-107). The long-term viability of a species depends 
on the conservation of numerous local populations throughout its 
geographic range (Harris 1984, pp. 93-104). These separate populations 
are essential for the species to recover and adapt to environmental 
changes (Harris 1984, pp. 93-104; Noss and Cooperrider 1994, pp. 264-
297). The level of isolation of sickle darter populations makes 
recolonization following localized extirpations virtually impossible 
without human intervention.
Climate Change
    Changing climate conditions can influence sickle darter viability 
through changes in water temperature and precipitation patterns that 
result in increased flooding, prolonged droughts, or reduced stream 
flows (McLaughlin et al. 2002, pp. 6060-6074; Cook et al. 2004, pp. 
1015-1018; Thomas et al. 2004, pp. 145-148; p. 2065; IPCC 2014, pp. 58-
83). The species' early spawning period (February-March) makes it 
vulnerable to warming temperatures and higher flows--conditions that 
could interrupt or prevent successful spawning in a given year (Service 
2020b, p. 3). Stream temperatures in the Southeast have increased 
roughly 0.2 to 0.4 [deg]C (0.4 to 0.7 [deg]F) per decade over the past 
30 years (Kaushal et al. 2010, p. 463), although the extent to which 
the increase in temperatures has affected the sickle darter in unknown. 
Predicted impacts of climate change on fishes include disruptions to 
their physiology, such as temperature tolerance, dissolved oxygen 
needs, and metabolic rates; life history, such as timing of 
reproduction and growth rate; and distribution, including range shifts 
and 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).

[[Page 71866]]

    Data on recent trends and predicted changes for the upper Tennessee 
River drainage allow evaluation of the potential impacts of climate 
change to the sickle darter in the future. Different emission scenarios 
were used to estimate average annual increases in maximum and minimum 
air temperature, precipitation, snowfall, and other variables (Alder 
and Hostetler 2017, entire). Depending on the chosen model and emission 
scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 vs. 8.5), 
annual mean maximum air temperatures for the upper Tennessee River 
drainage are expected to increase by 2.1 to 3.1 [deg]C (3.8 to 5.6 
[deg]F) by 2074, while precipitation models predict that the upper 
Tennessee River drainage will experience a slight increase in annual 
mean precipitation (0.2 in per month) through 2074 (Girvetz et al. 
2009, pp. 1-19; Alder and Hostetler 2016, pp. 1-9). Because stream 
temperature is broadly driven by air temperature (Webb and Nobilis 
2007, p. 82), water temperatures in the current and historical range of 
the sickle darter are expected to increase in the future under both RCP 
4.5 and RCP 8.5.
    The upper thermal limits of the sickle darter are unknown, but the 
species' occurrence in streams ranging in size from large creeks to 
medium-sized rivers suggests that it may have some tolerance to a 
variety of water conditions. The species may be less vulnerable to 
droughts, compared to species occurring in smaller or headwater 
streams. Relative to other fishes, sickle darter may have some 
resilience to the effects of climate change. Among more than 700 
species in the Appalachian region, six other darter species in the 
genus Percina are ranked as moderately vulnerable to the effects of 
climate change (Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative 2017, 
unpaginated). Moderately vulnerable is defined as abundance and/or 
range extent within geographical area assessed likely to decrease by 
2050. The sickle darter may have some of the same vulnerabilities due 
to its similar ecology, life history, and small range.

Conservation Efforts

    The sickle darter is listed as threatened by Tennessee (Tennessee 
Wildlife Resources Commission (TWRC) 2016, p. 3) and Virginia (VDGIF 
2018, p. 1), making it unlawful to take the species or damage its 
habitat without a State permit. Additionally, the sickle darter is 
identified as a species of greatest conservation need in the Tennessee 
and Virginia Wildlife Action Plans, which outline actions to promote 
species conservation. A propagation effort for the sickle darter was 
initiated in 2015, producing 25 juveniles that were released to the 
wild. The status of the released fish is unknown, but the effort 
demonstrates that propagation may be a useful conservation tool to 
augment sickle darter populations or reintroduce the species to 
historical localities in the future.
Future Scenarios
    In our SSA report (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. We devised these 
scenarios by identifying information on the following primary threats 
anticipated to affect sickle darter in the future: Land cover, 
urbanization, climate change, and conservation activity. The three 
scenarios capture the range of uncertainty in the changing landscape 
and how sickle darter will respond to the changing conditions (see 
Table 2, 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 that we used could forecast patterns in the species' range 
relevant to the sickle darter and its habitat given the species' life 
span. For more information on the models and their projections, please 
see the SSA report (Service 2020a, pp. 54-67).
    Under Scenario 1 (continuation of current trend), no significant 
increases or decreases are expected with respect to land cover, 
urbanization, or habitat conditions, and habitat restoration efforts 
(e.g., livestock fencing, riparian plantings, streambank restoration) 
by the Service and its partners are projected to continue at current 
levels. In addition, climate change would track RCP 4.5. Three of six 
extant sickle darter populations are projected to maintain their 
resiliency categories at current levels. Three extant populations, 
Clinch River, Middle Fork Holston River, and North Fork Holston River, 
are projected to become extirpated within 30 years. The species' 
redundancy and representation are expected to remain at low levels.
    Under Scenario 2 (improving trend), habitat conditions throughout 
the upper Tennessee River drainage are projected to improve due to 
increased conservation efforts and improving land use practices (e.g., 
greater forest cover and reduced agricultural and development effects). 
Based on these factors, resiliency of all extant populations would 
remain at current levels or increase, and the species may be 
rediscovered or will be reintroduced into portions of the Powell River 
system and French Broad River system. The species' redundancy would 
increase to a low-moderate level and representation would remain at a 
low level because populations will be reintroduced or rediscovered in 
two historically occupied river systems, increasing the number of 
extant populations (our measure of redundancy) from 6 to 8. In spite of 
the two added populations, representation would remain low because 
individuals would have the same genetic composition of parental stock 
in the rivers from which they were sourced, or will be founded from 
very small, previously undetected populations.
    Under Scenario 3 (worsening trend), habitat conditions are 
projected to decline within the upper Tennessee River drainage due to 
reductions in forest cover, increased urbanization and agricultural 
activities, and a climate trend that tracks RCP 8.5. Combined with 
reduced conservation efforts, these factors will have a negative effect 
on population resiliency, with projected extirpations of the Clinch 
River, North Fork Holston River, Middle Fork Holston River, and 
Sequatchie River populations. Loss of these populations would reduce 
redundancy and representation, with overall species' redundancy and 
representation remaining at low levels.
    One of our plausible scenarios (improving trends) projected 
improving conditions characterized by an increased percentage of 
forested land cover and a reduced percentage of pasture and hay land 
cover. In this scenario, urbanization and climate change rates of 
increase would be reduced relative to current trends (Service 2020a, 
pp. 72-73) and additional conservation actions would be implemented. 
There was greater uncertainty regarding future species' status and 
conservation action implementation than in the other two future 
scenarios. For example, the improving trends scenario projected 
reintroduction and successful establishment of two populations in the 
species' historical range, but successful establishment of viable 
populations of sickle darters has not yet been proven, and funding for 
this type of conservation, as well as other conservation actions such 
as easements

[[Page 71867]]

for land restoration, is uncertain. Therefore, we did not rely on the 
improving trends scenario to assess the likelihood of the species 
becoming in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future. (see Status 
Throughout All of Its Range, below)

          Table 2--Future Condition of the Sickle Darter by the Year 2070 Under Three Future Scenarios
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Scenario 1:         Scenario 2:         Scenario 3:
  Analytical unit (population)     Current condition     Current trend      Improving trend     Worsening trend
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emory River.....................  Moderate..........  Moderate..........  Moderate..........  Low.
Clinch River....................  Low...............  Likely Extirpated.  Low...............  Likely Extirpated.
Powell River....................  Extirpated........  Likely Extirpated.  Low *.............  Likely Extirpated.
Little River....................  Moderate..........  Low...............  Moderate..........  Low.
French Broad River..............  Extirpated........  Likely Extirpated.  Low *.............  Likely Extirpated.
Middle Fork Holston River.......  Low...............  Likely Extirpated.  Low...............  Likely Extirpated.
North Fork Holston River........  Low...............  Likely Extirpated.  Low...............  Likely Extirpated.
South Fork Holston River........  Extirpated........  Likely Extirpated.  Likely Extirpated.  Likely Extirpated.
Sequatchie River................  Low...............  Low...............  Low...............  Likely Extirpated.
Watauga.........................  Extirpated........  Likely Extirpated.  Likely Extirpated.  Likely Extirpated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Scenario 2 anticipates successful reintroduction or rediscovery of the species in two river systems.

Cumulative Effects of Threats
    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 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. Our assessment of the current and 
future conditions encompasses and incorporates the threats individually 
and cumulatively. Our current and future condition assessment is 
iterative because it 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 Sickle 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 an endangered species or a 
threatened species. The Act defines ``endangered species'' as a species 
in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its 
range, and ``threatened species'' as a species 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 a species meets the definition of ``endangered species'' or 
``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.
Status Throughout All of Its Range
    The current conditions as assessed in the sickle darter SSA report 
show that the species exists in six populations, in six tributary 
systems in two ecoregions. Two populations, Little River and Emory 
River, have moderate resiliency, and four populations have low 
resiliency. Although there are six separate populations distributed 
within the upper Tennessee River drainage, redundancy is low because 
four have low resiliency. Representation is currently low because 
genetic variation has likely been reduced over time as populations 
became disconnected, isolated, and reduced in size. Further, 
representation has been diminished with the loss of the species from 
the Blue Ridge ecoregion. While current resiliency, redundancy, and 
representation are far from optimal, it is unlikely that the sickle 
darter is in danger of extinction from a near-term catastrophic event. 
The occurrence in separate rivers of two populations, which are both in 
moderate condition and regularly recruiting new age classes 
(generations), greatly diminishes the possibility that such an event 
would simultaneously cause extirpation of the two populations, nor is 
it likely that such an event would simultaneously have the same level 
of impact on the other four populations in low condition.
    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 sickle 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 now (an endangered species) throughout all of its 
range.
    Our analysis of the sickle darter's future conditions shows that 
the population and habitat factors used to determine resiliency, 
representation, and redundancy will continue to decline. The primary 
threats are currently acting on the species and are likely to continue 
into the future. We selected 50 years as ``foreseeable'' in this case 
because it includes projections from available models for urbanization, 
land use, and climate change, threats which will affect the status of 
the species over that timeframe.
    The range of plausible future scenarios of the sickle darter's 
habitat conditions and water quality factors portend reduced viability 
into the future. Under the current trend scenario, resiliency is low in 
two populations and or moderate in one population, and three 
populations are likely extirpated so that redundancy and representation 
are reduced. Under the worsening trend scenario, resiliency is low in 
two populations, and four populations are likely extirpated so that 
redundancy and representation are substantially reduced. This expected 
reduction in both the number and distribution of resilient populations 
is likely to make the species vulnerable to catastrophic disturbance. 
Thus, after assessing the best available information, we conclude that 
the sickle darter is not currently in danger of extinction but is 
likely to become in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future 
throughout all of its range.

[[Page 71868]]

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 our 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 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 significant portions of the 
species' range where the species is in danger of extinction now (i.e., 
endangered). In undertaking this analysis for sickle darter, we choose 
to address the status question first--we consider information 
pertaining to the geographic distribution of both the species and the 
threats that the species faces to identify any portions of the range 
where the species is endangered.
    For the sickle darter, we considered whether the threats are 
geographically concentrated in any portion of the species' range at a 
biologically meaningful scale. We examined the following threats 
currently acting on the species: Habitat loss and degradation through 
siltation, water quality degradation, and impoundments and their 
effects and the associated effects of the species' reduced range. We 
also examined the cumulative effects of these threats. Our analysis 
revealed that these threats are likely to continue into the foreseeable 
future, or approximately 50 years. Siltation and water quality 
degradation resulting from nutrients, pathogens, municipal and 
residential development, agriculture, and logging are present in all 
watersheds where the sickle darter occurs. Land use changes associated 
with extraction of energy resources (coal, oil, and gas) are restricted 
to the Clinch (including Emory River) and Powell River systems, but the 
stressors associated with these activities, including sedimentation and 
water quality degradation, also come from sources (e.g., urbanization, 
grazing, logging) that are common to all watersheds where the species 
occurs.
    Isolation as a result of habitat fragmentation affects all sickle 
darter populations similarly, and all populations will experience the 
effects of changing climate conditions. Additionally, resiliency of the 
remaining populations would decline, while our continuing trends and 
worsening trends future scenarios respectively projected three or four 
of the six extant populations would become extirpated. The Little River 
watershed has the highest amount of land affected by urbanization 
(development) currently, and that is projected to continue in the 
future (Service 2020a, pp. 86-87). However, current land use and future 
rates of land use change are not substantially different among the 
watersheds occupied by the six populations.
    Overall, the current threats acting on the species and its habitat 
are expected to continue, and there are no indications that these 
threats would lessen or that declining populations trends would be 
reverted. After assessing the best available information, we found no 
concentration of threats in any portion of the sickle darter's range at 
a biologically meaningful scale. Thus, there are no portions of the 
species' range where the species has a different status from its 
rangewide status. Therefore, no portion of the species' range provides 
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 available scientific and commercial 
information indicates that the sickle darter meets the Act's definition 
of a ``threatened species.'' Therefore, we propose to list the sickle 
darter as a threatened species in accordance with sections 3(20) and 
4(a)(1) of the Act.

Available Conservation Measures

    Conservation measures provided to species listed as endangered or 
threatened species under the Act include recognition, recovery actions, 
requirements for Federal protection, and prohibitions against certain 
practices. Recognition through listing results in public awareness, and 
conservation by Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, private 
organizations, and individuals. The Act encourages cooperation with the 
States and other countries and calls for recovery actions to be carried 
out for listed species. The protection required by Federal agencies and 
the prohibitions against certain activities are discussed, in part, 
below.
Recovery Planning
    The primary purpose of the Act is the conservation of endangered 
and threatened species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The 
ultimate goal of such conservation efforts is the recovery of these 
listed species, so that they no longer need the protective measures of 
the Act. Section 4(f) of the Act calls for the Service to develop and 
implement recovery plans for the conservation of endangered and 
threatened species. The recovery planning process involves the 
identification of actions that are necessary to halt or reverse the 
species' decline by addressing the threats to its survival and 
recovery. The goal of this process is to restore listed species to a 
point where they are secure, self-sustaining, and functioning 
components of their ecosystems.
    Recovery planning consists of preparing draft and final recovery 
plans, beginning with the development of a recovery outline and making 
it available to the public within 30 days of a final listing 
determination. The recovery outline guides the immediate implementation 
of urgent recovery actions and describes the process to be used to 
develop a recovery plan. Revisions of the plan may be done to address 
continuing or new threats to the species, as new substantive 
information becomes available. The recovery plan also identifies 
recovery criteria for review of when a species may be ready for 
reclassification from endangered to threatened (``downlisting'') or 
removal from protected status (``delisting''), and methods for 
monitoring recovery progress. Recovery plans also establish

[[Page 71869]]

a framework for agencies to coordinate their recovery efforts and 
provide estimates of the cost of implementing recovery tasks. Recovery 
teams (composed of species experts, Federal and State agencies, 
nongovernmental organizations, and stakeholders) are often established 
to develop recovery plans. When completed, the recovery outline, draft 
recovery plan, and the final recovery plan will be available on our 
website (https://www.fws.gov/endangered), or from our Kentucky 
Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Implementation of recovery actions generally requires the 
participation of a broad range of partners, including other Federal 
agencies, States, Tribes, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, 
and private landowners. Examples of recovery actions include habitat 
restoration (e.g., restoration of native vegetation), research, captive 
propagation and reintroduction, and outreach and education. The 
recovery of many listed species cannot be accomplished solely on 
Federal lands because their range may occur primarily or solely on non-
Federal lands. To achieve recovery of these species requires 
cooperative conservation efforts on private, State, and Tribal lands.
    If this species is listed, funding for recovery actions will be 
available from a variety of sources, including Federal budgets, State 
programs, and cost-share grants for non-Federal landowners, the 
academic community, and nongovernmental organizations. In addition, 
pursuant to section 6 of the Act, the States of North Carolina, 
Tennessee, and Virginia would be eligible for Federal funds to 
implement management actions that promote the protection or recovery of 
the sickle darter. Information on our grant programs that are available 
to aid species recovery can be found at: https://www.fws.gov/grants.
    Although the sickle darter is only proposed for listing under the 
Act at this time, please let us know if you are interested in 
participating in recovery efforts for this species. Additionally, we 
invite you to submit any new information on this species whenever it 
becomes available and any information you may have for recovery 
planning purposes (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Section 7(a) of the Act requires Federal agencies to evaluate their 
actions with respect to any species that is proposed or listed as an 
endangered or threatened species and with respect to its critical 
habitat, if any is designated. Regulations implementing this 
interagency cooperation provision of the Act are codified at 50 CFR 
part 402. Section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to 
confer with the Service on any action that is likely to jeopardize the 
continued existence of a species proposed for listing or result in 
destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat. If a 
species is listed subsequently, section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires 
Federal agencies to ensure that activities they authorize, fund, or 
carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the 
species or destroy or adversely modify its critical habitat. If a 
Federal action may affect a listed species or its critical habitat, the 
responsible Federal agency must enter into consultation with the 
Service.
    Federal agency actions within the species' habitat that may require 
conference or consultation or both as described in the preceding 
paragraph include management and any other landscape-altering 
activities on Federal lands administered, or on private lands seeking 
funding, by Federal agencies, which may include, but are not limited 
to, the Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) U.S. Forest Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural 
Resources Conservation Service, and Federal Emergency Management 
Agency; issuance of section 404 CWA permits by the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers; and construction and maintenance of roads or highways by the 
Federal Highway Administration.
    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.

Critical Habitat

Prudency Determination
    Section 4(a)(3) of the Act, as amended, and implementing 
regulations (50 CFR 424.12) require that, to the maximum extent prudent 
and determinable, the Secretary shall designate critical habitat at the 
time the species is determined to be an endangered or threatened 
species. Our regulations (50 CFR 424.12(a)(1)) state that the Secretary 
may, but is not required to, determine that a designation would not be 
prudent in the following circumstances:
    (i) The species is threatened by taking or other human activity and 
identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the 
degree of such threat to the species;
    (ii) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of a species' habitat or range is not a threat to the 
species, or threats to the species' habitat stem solely from causes 
that cannot be addressed through management actions resulting from 
consultations under section 7(a)(2) of the Act;
    (iii) Areas within the jurisdiction of the United States provide no 
more than negligible conservation value, if any, for a species 
occurring primarily outside the jurisdiction of the United States;
    (iv) No areas meet the definition of critical habitat; or
    (v) The Secretary otherwise determines that designation of critical 
habitat would not be prudent based on the best scientific data 
available.
    As discussed earlier in this document, there is currently no 
imminent threat of collection or vandalism identified under Factor B 
for this species, and identification and mapping of critical habitat is 
not expected to initiate any such threat. In our SSA and proposed 
listing determination for the sickle darter, we determined that the 
present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of 
habitat or range is a threat to the sickle darter and that those 
threats in some way can be addressed by section 7(a)(2) consultation 
measures. The species occurs wholly in the jurisdiction of the United 
States, and we are able to identify areas that meet the definition of 
critical habitat. Therefore, because none of the circumstances 
enumerated in our regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(a)(1) have been met and 
because there are no other circumstances the Secretary has identified 
for which this designation of critical habitat would be not prudent, we 
have determined that the designation of critical habitat is prudent for 
the sickle darter.
Critical Habitat Determinability
    Having determined that designation is prudent, under section 
4(a)(3) of the Act we must find whether critical habitat for the sickle 
darter is determinable. Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(a)(2) state 
that critical habitat is not determinable when one or both of the 
following situations exist:
    (i) Data sufficient to perform required analyses are lacking, or
    (ii) The biological needs of the species are not sufficiently well 
known to

[[Page 71870]]

identify any area that meets the definition of ``critical habitat.''
    When critical habitat is not determinable, the Act allows the 
Service an additional year to publish a critical habitat designation 
(16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(6)(C)(ii)).
    For the sickle darter, the species' needs are sufficiently well 
known, but a careful assessment of the economic impacts that may occur 
due to a critical habitat designation is ongoing. Until these efforts 
are complete, information sufficient to perform a required analysis of 
the impacts of the designation is lacking, and, therefore, we find 
designation of critical habitat for the sickle darter to be not 
determinable at this time. We plan to publish a proposed rule to 
designate critical habitat for the sickle darter concurrent with the 
availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation.

II. 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 of the Interior (Secretary) shall issue such 
regulations as he 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 the Service 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 particular 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 him with regard to the permitted 
activities for those species. He may, for example, permit taking, but 
not importation of such species, or he 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 sickle 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 sickle darter. As discussed above under Summary of 
Biological Status and Threats, we have concluded that the sickle darter 
is likely to become in danger of extinction within the foreseeable 
future primarily due to habitat degradation or loss stemming from 
hydrologic alterations by impoundments, including dams and other 
barriers; land development that does not incorporate BMPs; and 
diminished water quality from point and nonpoint source pollution and 
siltation. These threats contribute to the negative effects associated 
with the species' habitat fragmentation and isolation and potential 
effects of climate change. The provisions of this proposed 4(d) rule 
would promote conservation of the sickle darter by encouraging 
management of the landscape in ways that meet both watershed and 
riparian management considerations and the species' conservation needs. 
The provisions of this proposed rule are one of many tools that we 
would use to promote the conservation of the sickle darter. This 
proposed 4(d) rule would apply only if and when we make final the 
listing of the sickle darter as a threatened species.

Provisions of the Proposed 4(d) Rule

    This proposed 4(d) rule would provide for the conservation of the 
sickle darter by prohibiting the following activities, except as 
otherwise authorized or permitted: Import or export; take; possession 
and other acts with unlawfully taken specimens; delivery, receipt, 
transport, or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce in the course 
of commercial activity; or sale or offer for sale in interstate or 
foreign commerce.
    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 loss 
and fragmentation of habitat from siltation, water quality degradation, 
and impoundments and their effects. A range of activities have the 
potential to affect the sickle darter, including commercial activities, 
agriculture, resource extraction, and land development. Regulating 
these activities would help preserve the sickle darter's remaining 
populations, slow the rate of population decline, and decrease 
synergistic, negative effects from other stressors. Therefore, 
regulating activities that increase siltation, diminish water quality, 
alter stream flow, or reduce fish passage would help preserve and 
potentially provide for expansion of remaining populations and decrease 
synergistic, negative effects from other threats.
    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 
incidental and intentional take would help the species maintain 
population size and resiliency.
    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: For 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.

[[Page 71871]]

    There are also certain statutory exceptions from the prohibitions, 
which are found in sections 9 and 10 of the Act, and other standard 
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 sickle darter.
    Under our proposed 4(d) rule, take of the sickle darter would not 
be prohibited in the following instances:
     Take is authorized by a permit issued in accordance with 
50 CFR 17.32;
     Take results from actions of an employee or agent of one 
of the Services or of a State conservation agency that is operating 
under a conservation program pursuant to the terms of a cooperative 
agreement with the Service;
     Take is in defense of human life; and
     Take results from actions taken by representatives of one 
of the Services 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.
    We also propose to allow Federal and State law enforcement officers 
to possess, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any sickle darters taken 
in violation of the Act as necessary in performing their official 
duties.
    In part, these exceptions to the prohibitions 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 plants. State agencies, because of their authorities and 
their close working relationships with local governments and 
landowners, are in a unique position to assist the Services in 
implementing all aspects of the Act. In this regard, section 6 of the 
Act provides that the Service shall cooperate to the maximum extent 
practicable with the State 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 the Service in 
accordance with section 6(c) of the Act, who is designated by his or 
her agency for such purposes, would be able to conduct activities 
designed to conserve the sickle darter that may result in otherwise 
prohibited take for wildlife without additional authorization.
    In addition to the exceptions to the prohibitions described above, 
we propose certain species-specific exceptions to the prohibitions to 
provide for the conservation of the sickle darter. Consistent with all 
of the proposed exceptions and based on the best available information, 
our proposed 4(d) rule identifies the following activities, which are 
unlikely to result in take of the sickle darter in violation of section 
9 if carried out in accordance with existing regulations and permit 
requirements and outside the February through March spawning season:
    These 4(d) rule exceptions cover actions that improve or restore 
sickle darter habitat, including channel restoration and streambank 
stabilization, bridge and culvert replacement (including transportation 
projects that enhance fish passage), as well as low-head dam removal. 
To encourage protection of streams occupied by the sickle darter, we 
have included in the exceptions silvicultural activities that implement 
State best management practices. Within each occupied river system, 
these actions will promote expansion of the population's range and 
reduce the population's fragmentation and isolation. Additionally, 
these actions can reduce stressors that impact the sickle darter, 
including runoff of siltation and pollution, and may (through riparian 
reforestation) mediate local water temperatures expected to increase 
with climate change.
    Habitat restoration actions and silvicultural activities excepted 
by the 4(d) rule may result in some minimal level of harm or temporary 
disturbance to the sickle 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 the 4(d) rule exceptions do not apply 
during the sickle darter's two-month spawning period, a critical phase 
of the species' life history, the potential for take is further 
minimized. Overall, these activities benefit the species by expanding 
suitable habitat and reducing within-population fragmentation, 
contributing to conservation and recovery.
    Based on the best available information, the following activities 
may potentially result in violation of section 9 of the Act; this list 
is not comprehensive:
    (1) Unauthorized handling, collecting, possessing, selling, 
delivering, carrying, or transporting of the sickle darter, including 
interstate transportation across State lines and import or export 
across international boundaries.
    (2) Destruction or alteration of the species' habitat by discharge 
of fill material, draining, ditching, tiling, pond construction, stream 
channelization or diversion, or diversion or alteration of surface or 
ground water flow into or out of the stream (i.e., due to roads, 
impoundments, discharge pipes, stormwater detention basins, etc.).
    (3) Introduction of nonnative species that compete with or prey 
upon the sickle darter.
    (4) Discharge of chemicals or fill material into any waters in 
which the sickle darter is known to occur.
    Questions regarding whether specific activities would constitute a 
violation of section 9 of the Act should be directed to the Kentucky 
Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    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 sickle 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, above).

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

[[Page 71872]]

long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, etc.
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
    It is our position that we do not need to prepare environmental 
analyses pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in connection with listing a species as an 
endangered or threatened species under the Act. We published a notice 
outlining our reasons for this determination in the Federal Register on 
October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).
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. We have determined that no Tribal 
lands fall within the range of the sickle darter, so no Tribal lands 
would be affected by the proposed rule.

References Cited

    A complete list of references cited in this rulemaking is available 
on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov and upon request from the 
Kentucky Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).

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.

Signing Authority

    The Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Aurelia 
Skipwith, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approved this 
document on October 30, 2020, for publication.

    Dated: October 30, 2020.
Madonna Baucum,
Regulations and Policy Chief, Division of Policy, Economics, Risk 
Management, and Analytics, Joint Administrative Operations, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

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(h) by adding an entry for ``Darter, sickle'' to 
the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in alphabetical order 
under FISHES to read as set forth below:


Sec.  17.11  Endangered and threatened wildlife.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Listing citations and
           Common name              Scientific name        Where listed       Status        applicable rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Fishes
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Darter, sickle..................  Percina williamsi..  Wherever found.....          T   [Federal Register
                                                                                         citation when published
                                                                                         as a final rule]; 50
                                                                                         CFR 17.44(ff).\4d\
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
3. Amend Sec.  17.44 by adding a paragraph (ff) to read as set forth 
below:


Sec.  17.44  Special rules--fishes.

* * * * *
    (ff) Sickle darter (Percina williamsi).
    (1) Prohibitions. The following prohibitions that apply to 
endangered wildlife also apply to the sickle darter. Except as provided 
under paragraph (ff)(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 (c)(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 projects that create natural, physically 
stable, ecologically functioning streams (or stream and wetland 
systems) and that take place between April 1 and January 31. 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 connection of surface and groundwater 
systems, contributing to

[[Page 71873]]

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 pre-existing, bare, eroding stream banks with 
vegetated, stable stream banks, thereby reducing bank erosion and 
instream sedimentation and improving habitat conditions for the 
species, that take place between April 1 and January 31. Stream banks 
may be stabilized using live stakes (live, vegetative cuttings inserted 
or tamped into the ground in a manner that allows the stake to take 
root and grow), 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 
solely 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 sickle darters while 
maintaining normal stream flows, preventing bed and bank erosion, and 
improving habitat conditions for the species, and that take place 
between April 1 and January 31.
    (D) Silviculture practices and forest management activities that:
    (1) Implement State best management practices, particularly for 
Streamside Management Zones and stream crossings; and
    (2) When such activities involve sickle darter spawning habitat, 
are carried out between April 1 and January 31.
    (E) Transportation projects that provide for fish passage at stream 
crossings.
    (v) Possess and engage in other acts with unlawfully taken 
wildlife, as set forth at Sec.  17.21(d)(2) for endangered wildlife.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2020-24471 Filed 11-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P