The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service proposed today to give Federal Endangered
Species Act protection to the Roswell springsnail, Koster's
tryonia, Pecos assiminea, and the Noel's amphipod, four
invertebrate species found in the springs, seeps and sinkholes
in the Pecos River basin in New Mexico and west Texas.
The Service published a proposed rule today in the Federal
Register to designate the four animals as endangered under
the Endangered Species Act. Also included in the rule is
a proposal to designate critical habitat for the species.
Public comments on both actions will be accepted until April
15.
Under the Endangered Species Act, an endangered species
is one that is likely to become extinct in the foreseeable
future, throughout all or a portion of its range. The Act
includes prohibitions on "take" of listed species
that preclude harming, killing, or harassing the species
and require consultation with the Service to ensure that
activities do no adversely affect the species. The Service
can also begin developing strategies to prevent the species'
extinction and promote their eventual recovery.
Roswell springsnail, Koster's tryonia and Pecos assiminea
are small aquatic snails, while the Noel's amphipod is a
freshwater shrimp. The species co-exist in small, geographically
isolated springs on federal land at Bitter Lake National
Wildlife Refuge in Chaves County County in southeastern
New Mexico. The Pecos assiminea snail also occurs at Diamond
Y Springs in Pecos County and East Sandia Spring in Reeves
County, on land managed by the Nature Conservancy of Texas.
"The aquifer is home for thes creatures," said
Dale Hall, Acting Regional Director of the Service's Southwest
Region. "Snails serve as indicators for the health
of the aquifer and its ability to continue providing clean,
available water for people and wildlife."
The invertebrates are threatened by local and regional
groundwater depletion, changes to their aquatic habitat,
such as spring channelization, diversion, or capping ; and
surface or groundwater pollution and contamination resulting
from septic tanks, herbicides, pesticides, and certain oil
and gas operations.
The Service is proposing this listing now as part of a
lawsuit settlement involving actions on 30 species. In August,
2001, the Service and four environmental organizations agreed
to consider proposed listings for eight species, including
these four.
Critical habitat is also being proposed for the species
on approximately 1,127 acres that encompass spring systems
at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and on approximately
397 acres of private land at the East Sandia Spring and
Diamond Y spring complexes managed by the Nature Conservancy
of Texas. Under the Endangered Species Act, critical habitat
refers to specific geographic areas that are essential for
the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and
may require special management considerations. A designation
does not establish a refuge or preserve, and has no impact
on private landowners taking actions on their land that
do not require Federal funding or permits.
Comments on the proposal should be mailed to Field Supervisor,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2105 Osuna N.E., Albuquerque,
New Mexico 87113 or sent by facsimile to (505) 346-2542.
Copies of the proposed rule can be obtained by calling the
Service at (505) 346-2525 or writing to the above address.
To access these documents on the internet, go to the Federal
Register website at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
Scroll down to "Browse Table of Contents of Current
Issue (Feb. 6) " then click to open.
The U.S. : Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal
agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing
fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing
benefit of the American people. The Service manages the
94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses
more that 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small
wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates
70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices
and 78 ecological service field stations. The agency enforces
Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species
Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally
significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat
such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their
conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program
that distributes hundred of millions of dollars in excise
taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and
wildlife agencies.
>Southwest Region-USFWS<
Reporters: Please note that access to the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service's website has been restricted in compliance
with a court order. Photographs taken by microscope on the
invertebrates are available for reuse from New Mexico Game
and Fish. Download them from their website at: www.gmfsh.state.nm.us
To access the documents referenced above on the Federal
Register website, go to:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
Scroll down to "Browse Table of Contents of Current
Issue" then click to open.
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