Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Threatened Loach Minnow (Tiaroga cobitis)

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The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) designates critical habitat for the loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis) under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The loach minnow, a small fish, was listed as a threatened species under the Act on October 28, 1986 (51 FR 39468); however, final designation of the proposed critical habitat was postponed at that time. Critical habitat is now being designated in approximately 257 kilometers (km) (159 miles (mi)) of portions of the Gila River in Grant and Catron counties, New Mexico; the San Francisco and Tularosa rivers and Dry Blue Creek, Catron County, New Mexico; the San Francisco and Blue rivers and Campbell Blue Creek, Greenlee County, Arizona; and Aravaipa Creek in Graham and Pinal counties, Arizona. Federal actions that may affect the areas designated as critical habitat are now subject to consultation with the Service, pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the Act.