United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office
6610 Washburn Way
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
(541) 885-8481 FAX (541) 885-7837

 

Five-year Review
Lost River Sucker (Deltistes luxatus)
and
Shortnose Sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris)

Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act requires that we conduct a review of
listed species at least once every 5 years. We are then, under section 4(c) (2) (B), to determine, on the basis of such a review, whether or not any species should be removed from the List (delisted), or reclassified from endangered to threatened, or threatened to endangered. Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active review. A public notice was published July 14, 2004 announcing our active review of the Lost River sucker and shortnose sucker and requesting information and comments from the public. To be considered in the 5-year review, comments and information should be submitted to us by October 31, 2004.

Although we recently completed status assessments for these species in 2001 and 2002,
new information is being acquired and a number of actions have been implemented or will soon be implemented to reduce threats to the species, including installing a fish screen at A-Canal in 2003, constructing a fish ladder at the Link River Dam in 2004, and improving passage in the near future at the Chiloquin Dam. Additionally, habitat restoration is occurring around Upper Klamath Lake and in its tributaries. These actions, combined with new information on the species, could affect the species’ status and we are, therefore, proceeding to an updated status review of the species.

Public Information Solicited

To ensure that the status review is complete and based on the best available scientific and
commercial information, we are soliciting any additional information, comments, or suggestions on the Lost River sucker and shortnose sucker from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, or any other interested parties. Information sought includes any data regarding historical and current distribution, biology and ecology, ongoing conservation measures for the species or its habitat, and threats to the species or its habitat. We also request information regarding the adequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms.

The 5-year review considers all new information available at the time of the review. This
review will consider the best scientific and commercial data that has become available since the current listing determination or most recent status review, such as:

A. Species biology including, but not limited to, population trends, distribution,
abundance, demographics, and genetics;
B. Habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, and
suitability;
C. Conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the species;
D. Threat status and trends; and
E. Other new information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to,
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous information
contained in the list, and improved analytical methods.

If you wish to provide information for the status review, you may submit your comments and materials to the Field Supervisor, Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office, 6610 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603. Information should be submitted to us by October 31, 2004.  Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Respondents may request that we withhold a respondents identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name or address, you must state this request prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. To the extent consistent with applicable law, we will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.