Availability of the Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for the Pygmy Madtom for Review and Comment

Resumo

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability for public review of a draft recovery plan for the pygmy madtom. This small catfish presently has a very fragmented distribution, but the species was probably formerly much more widespread within the Tennessee River system. The pygmy madtom is currently known to inhabit only two short river reaches within the Duck River, Humphreys County, Tennessee, and the Clinch River, Hancock County, Tennessee. The species has been and continues to be impacted by water quality deterioration. This deterioration occurred as a result of siltation (contributed by coal mining and poor land use practices), other water pollution, and impoundments. The Service solicits review and comments from the public on this draft plan.