Notice of Availability of Draft Recovery Goals for Four Endangered Fishes of the Colorado River Basin

Resumen

To further the recovery of humpback chub (Gila cypha), bonytail (Gila elegans), Colorado pikeminnow (formerly named Colorado squawfish; Ptychocheilus lucius), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), we, the Fish and Wildlife Service announce the availability of draft recovery goals for these endangered fishes of the Colorado River Basin. This information will serve as a supplement and amendment to the respective existing recovery plans for each species. The draft recovery goals for each species provide objective, measurable recovery criteria for downlisting and delisting that identify levels of demographic and genetic viability needed for self-sustaining populations and site-specific management actions/tasks needed to minimize or remove threats. We solicit review and comment from agencies and the public on these draft recovery goals. Reviewers should pay particular attention to the application of existing demographic and genetic data in the development of minimum viable population (MVP) standards and the downlisting and delisting monitoring periods associated with each species.